AN APPLICATION MADE by Mercedes-Benz to the European trademark office has given us our first look at the upcoming E-Class Convertible in completely undisguised form.

Previous spy photos have shown the cabriolet version of the new E-Class Coupe with minimal camouflage, but these black-and-white images show the car in its entirety.

Ahead of the A-pillars, the E-Class convertible is virtually identical to the E-Class Coupe, and features the same sheetmetal, the same headlights and the same grille.

The deletion of the roof introduces a new silhouette though, and the roofline loses the sweeping curves and thin C-pillar of the coupe.

The top of the bootlid is also shorter than the coupe’s, and the cover for the fabric roof carries the chrome trim around the base of the roof. Roof down, the E-Class Convertible reveals a genuine four-seater layout similar to that of the coupe.

The convertible’s engine line-up is still unconfirmed, but expect the same powertrains offered in the E-Class Coupe to feature under the drop-top’s bonnet. Like the coupe, an AMG variant is likely not on the cards.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible will make its debut early next year, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show next January. Mercedes-Benz Australia has told TMR that it expects to see it arrive here around February-March 2010.

GALLERY » 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible Trademark Images