Extraordinary automobiles tend to possess a hidden quality that draws you instantly to them. Even at first glance, your instinct tells you: This is going to be special. This will feel like nothing else. For generations, the coupes and convertibles of Mercedes-Benz have emitted an allure that’s at once invisible and irresistible. Perhaps it’s the promise of scintillating perfor- mance in their stance. The engineering legacy behind the Star in their grille. Or the devotion that crafted their four-seat cabins. It turns out that the character you can’t see in the 2012 E-Class Coupes and Cabriolets is something you won’t find in other cars. The way the pillarless Coupes present a uniquely unspoiled view of the rapidly passing scenery. Or how the impeccably tailored Cabriolets turn taut fabric and a rigid body into unbridled freedom. Each of them, however, is foremost an E-Class. Which means they bring you driving innovations you’ve never seen on other cars — and driving passion like you’ve never felt.

Precise focus. Panoramic vision. Meticulous. Fastidious. Honed to a fine edge. What defines the E-Class Coupes and Cabriolets so sharply is precisely how they set your spirit free. A new generation of engines turn molecules and milliseconds into expan- sive power and extended efficiency. Advanced suspensions balance intense cornering grip with relaxed highway cruising. Contentment comes with confidence, thanks to exclusive innovations in safety, performance, comfort and entertainment. Even their design turns the depth of their engineering into a breath of fresh air — delivered via four power windows and an all-glass roof on the Coupe, or by lowering the Cabriolet’s all-season soft top. In the 2012 E-Class, rigorous attention to every detail inspires a panorama of driving pleasures.

Adrenaline rush. Endorphin release.The mark of a true athlete is exerting tremendous ability with graceful agility. With their advanced engines, nimble suspensions and innovative performance technology, the E-Class Coupes and Cabriolets take strenuous sprints in stride. Both the 3.5-liter E350 V-6 and the 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 of the E550 models breathe deeply, wind up quickly and thrust forward eagerly. A rapid-multispark ignition system fires up to four times in a millisecond, while high-pressure Direct Injection manages fuel delivery with molecular precision for higher efficiency and ultra-low emissions. Each engine channels its force through a paddle-shifted 7-speed automatic transmission that’s been reengineered for crisper shifts and smoother response. Innovative handling and braking systems flex their muscles with an ideal mix of dexterity and determination. The result is an exhilarating display of performance that delivers both an immediate rush and a lasting euphoria.

Pioneering insight. Protective instinct.Look back over the life story of the automobile and you’ll find Mercedes-Benz continually leading the way in safety innovation: Inventing the crumple zone over 60 years ago. Earning a patent for the air bag. The first pop-up roll bar, in the 1980s. And pioneering a long list of active safety systems that eventually found their way into most every car, like the Antilock Braking System (ABS), the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) and emergency-sensing Brake Assist. Today, the groundbreaking PRE-SAFE® system can actually detect and help to prepare for a collision before it happens. True to its heritage, the 2012 E-Class is engineered with visionary safety advances that watch the road ahead and to your side. Help you to see and be seen. And respond to help make an accident less severe, or even less likely. All cars might do this someday. The protection an E-Class offers today could rewrite your own life story.