GOING topless can be a risky business if what's revealed is not up to scrutiny.

But Mercedes-Benz is about to confound any critics of its latest E-Class design with a cabriolet which is pure and beautiful.

Open to the elements, the E-Class Cabrio is a gorgeous four-seat soft top - and it doesn't look that bad with the roof up.

When it comes to cutting a dash this is a head turner in anyone's books.

It's also got a few tricks up its sleeve to make open top motoring enjoyable whatever the weather.

Mercedes has developed a device it is calling the AirCAP which deflects wind around the cockpit.

This is a mesh aerofoil which extends from the top of the windscreen and creates a laminar layer over the car minimising turbulence inside.

With individual temperature controls in the front and rear it means passengers can keep warm - or cool - whatever the conditions.

Front seat passengers have extra warmth from the AirSCARF which blows hot air from the base of the head restraints.

The AirSCARF has been fitted on other Mercedes convertibles but on the E-Class Cabrio it is modified so the air can be angled for more comfort.

By and large both work well but there is still some wind disturbance, albeit slight at cruising speeds.

Roof down and the cabrio is not quite as serene as its Lexus rival, the IS Convertible, but when it comes to handling and performance it's a different story.

The E-Class Cabrio is available with a choice of three diesel and four petrol engines.

The diesel range is priced from £33,880 for an E220 CDI while the line up tops out at £53,390 for the high performance 5.5-litre V8 petrol E500.

The E220, with a six speed manual gearbox, is the most economical averaging a claimed 53.3mpg. It also has CO2 emissions of 143g/km which will appeal to business users.

As an automatic fuel consumption goes up to 45.6mpg and emissions rise to 162g/km.

The entry level E200 petrol cabrio, priced from £33,270, has a stop/start device enabling it to achieve 38.7mpg on average and there is little penalty with the automatic at 36.7mpg.

With the exception of the V8 - which is real fire cracker - the pick of the cabrio line-up must be the three-litre E350 diesel which can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in less than seven seconds but can still average 41.5mpg.

Fitted with a seven speed auto box it costs from £38,535 in SE trim or £40,570 in the higher Sport grade.

As with the E-Class Coupe, Sport models come with AMG body styling, uprated brakes, sports seats, advanced headlamps with automatic high beam and 18-inch alloy wheels.

All versions of the cabrio have high-tech features special to the E-Class including a driver fatigue monitor and adaptive suspension.

Apart from the flagship E500 the entire 12 model range falls into a £9,000 price bracket which includes what must be the most expensive 1.8-litre car on the market.

The E250 Cabrio Sport, priced at £37,900, is powered by a boosted 1.8-litre petrol engine which develops 204bhp.

On the road the cabrio is beautifully weighted. It has additional stiffening across the windscreen and in the door pillars making it feel as solid as any hard roofed E-Class.

The fabric hood fitted to the cabrio not only looks the part but is also very sturdy. It does not balloon at high speeds and the sound insulation is first class.

Retraction takes 20 seconds, can be done at speeds of up to 20mph, and with the hood stowed boot space reduces from 390 litres to 300. As such you would struggle to fit in suitcases. If you forego a spare wheel however there is extra space available below the boot floor.

Roof up there is enough headroom in the rear for all but the tallest of passengers although rear vision is slightly impaired by the back wind deflector which fits between the two head rests.

Safety features include head bags fitted within the doors and rollover bars concealed in the head restraints to protect the rear passengers.

The cabrio is replacing the CLK in the Mercedes range and joins some great open top designs from the past such as the 220 Cabriolet of some 50 years ago.

It also completes the new E-Class range which was launched last year as a saloon and followed by estate and coupe versions - each of which have been progressively more stylish.

Large Mercedes convertibles have always been highly desirable and the soft-top treatment for the new E-Class is sure to put it up with the greats.