2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: luxury soft-top spied

Having already captured the refreshed E-Class sedan, Estate, Coupe and high-performance E63 AMG variants in differing degrees of camouflage, the new Cabriolet completes the set for CarAdvice’s spy photographers and gives us a clear idea of what to expect when the new range arrives in Australia from the middle of next year.

The updated Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and Estate will lead the charge in June, launching around five months after the updated model’s unveiling at January’s 2013 Detroit motor show.

They will be followed in September by the 2013 E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, as well as E63 AMG versions of the four-door models.

Common to all body styles is a new front-end design, which is differentiated by its more conventional single-piece headlight assembly (replacing the traditional two-piece layout), a more upright front grille, a reshaped bonnet and bumpers and darker tail-light lenses.

But while the sedan and Estate variants will trade the current E-Class’s rounded ‘Ponton’-style rear wheel arches for a tighter, squarer profile, the Coupe and Cabriolet will retain their broader hips and curvier figures.

Upgrades to the cabin should bring a refreshed design for the dashboard, instrument cluster and steering wheel, while the car’s infotainment, communications and safety systems are also in line for an update.

Today's spy images come as Mercedes-Benz releases the first official teaser for the new E-Class family, with a video showcasing the new model's intricate redesigned headlights.