Automotive Trends

      Mercedes-Benz took a traditional approach (sort of) with the 2011 E550 Cabriolet, shown here at the 2010 NAIAS, and equipped it with a classic soft top. Creature comfort, however, is still Mercedes’ top priority as the Cabriolet features the AIRCAP and AIRSCARF systems. The AIRCAP utilizes a pop-up net above the windscreen and a draft-stop deployed between the rear seats to cut down on turbulence. With AIRSCARF each seat is equipped with HVAC ducts that gently blow warm air around the occupants neck to compensate for otherwise less-than-ideal ambient conditions during top-down motoring.