E-Class Convertible

Segment
Compact

This year's Geneva Motor Show is already gearing up to be a big one, but fewer stands will be more exciting than the Mercedes-Benz arena, which will serve to assert the brand's dominance on the world stage. We've already mentioned the four special edition models that will be shown off at the AMG booth while the Maybach corner will get a visit from the G650 Landaulet (which sadly, isn't for the US market). The center of the stage, however, will be the brand new E-Class family.

Mercedes has spent the better part of the past year unveiling the new E-Class, beginning with the sedan and followed by the coupe, wagon, and the wagon's off-road variant, the E-Class All-Terrain (also not for the US). While the presence of AMG E63 variants of the E-Class will add spice to the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes will take the opportunity to turn the main spotlight on the new E-Class Cabriolet. So far the only taste we've gotten of the Cabriolet is the teaser image above as well as some sneak peaks courtesy of our spy photographers, but you can place your bets on the Cabriolet looking very similar to the E-Class Coupe albeit with an acoustically-insulated fabric top.

Even with looks that are sure to kill, it'll be hard keeping all that focus entirely on the E-Class family because in total, 34 Tri-Star vehicles will be on display at the show. Among these are the special edition SL and SLC models and an all-new GLA with an extended range of engines, updated equipment lines, and specific visual highlighting. One of our favorite displays will house a piece of forbidden fruit for US buyers. That would be the X-Class concept, which won't be the most outlandish Mercedes exhibit at Geneva thanks to the EQ Lane, a long black trail spanning the length of the stand that's equipped with lights and "media technology" to show customers what to expect once the automaker's EQ sub brand is up and running.

Even with the current opinion on large auto shows dictating that automakers are saving their best reveals for off-site events before or after shows, Mercedes seems hell-bent on ensuring that its pavilion is world class.