RAY MASSEY: Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is a hair-whipping delight

Timing is everything and, sometimes, you get it just right. 

As I did when the wheels of the new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet scrunched their way on to the gravel of my driveway as the UK sizzled its way into peak summer.

Day and night, I thoroughly enjoyed the wind-in-the-hair, open-top driving. 

So much so that, after a visit to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire (a great pit-stop on long drives), I skipped my usual route along the M40 for the scenic A and B roads of the Cotswolds before picking up the major roads further south near Oxford.

Then, it was off to the North Downs and into Surrey, where the Squirrel Inn near Godalming provided an unexpected relaxing break from my motoring adventure. 

My native Northumbria aside, it is England at its best. And what a way to experience it.

The CLE Cabriolet soft-top is made for the job. 

A delight to drive, it is an elegant four-seater that catches the eye without poking it out. 

The range starts from £52,995 and I drove the top-end all-wheel drive CLE 450 4MATIC Premier Edition from £76,765 with a smart ‘tonka brown’ nappa leather interior.

Extras included silver metallic paint for £715 and an enhanced driving assistance package for £1,695. 

Riding on 20-inch wheels and powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid inline 6-cylinder petrol engine linked to the latest 9-speed automatic gearbox, it is a nimble drive. 

It’s no slouch, with acceleration from 0 to 62mph in just 4.7 seconds, up to a top speed restricted to 155mph.

But even in sport mode, it is at its best for leisurely but engaged cruising. 

Official fuel efficiency is 35.5mpg, with CO2 emissions of 180g/km. 

Snug with the roof in place, the insulated multi-layer fabric soft-top can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 37mph. 

To prevent buffeting at higher speeds, you can raise an electric pop-out wind deflector.

And it’s not just for summer sunshine. 

Britain is one of the most popular markets for convertibles, so to allow year-round open-top driving there’s an ‘airscarf’ heating system which circulates warm air to keep the driver and front passenger warm in cold conditions. 

And to prevent the seats from overheating, a special coating reflects the sun’s near infrared rays and keeps the surface up to 12C cooler in direct sunlight.

Flexible front seats with lumbar support prove comfortable, the two rear seats seem generous compared with most and the boot stored my kit with ease. A reversing camera is located on its lid.

Safety features include blind-spot warning and braking alerts with a 12.3in driver display.

Other models in the range include four-cylinder petrol and diesel versions and three other trim levels. My biggest criticism? Handing it back.

Posh car shows going head-to-head 

Two of Britain’s poshest car shows will go head-to-head over the bank holiday, with displays of luxury, performance and classic models.

The Concours of Elegance, at London’s Hampton Court Palace from August 30 to September 1, showcases 60 of the world’s rarest cars – many never seen before in the UK.

It also promises 1950s racing cars from Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and British cars from 1920s Rolls-Royces to the ground-breaking Gordon Murray Automotive T50. See concoursofelegance.co.uk

Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire runs from August 28 to 31. It features a concours competition for meticulously restored and rare cars.

Supercar Saturday offers a display of over 1,500 privately owned sports cars and supercars, while a luxury shopping village hosts brands selling boats, helicopters, homeware, fashion and jewellery. See salonpriveconcours.com