The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabrio – Filling the historical gap

We have been waiting for the latest Stuttgart-made convertible as the whole world has been waiting for Leonardo DiCaprio to finally get his hands on his first ever Academy Award after other five nominations. And here it is, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet, shining splendidly in the first official photo gallery and filling a historical gap in the Mercedes portfolio, since it is the first ever C-Class badged convertible.

Mercedes-Benz is proudly presenting the first cabriolet based on the C-Class range, at the Geneva International Motor Show 2016. But one night before the auto show starts in Switzerland and one day after the Oscars’ gala in Hollywood, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet comes out into the light.

The new cabriolet’s design stands for modern luxury with a youthful touch. Featuring plenty of high quality details, its distinctive character is most apparent when the soft top is dropped. The interior is based on that of the C-Class Saloon, but brings a fresh interpretation with typical cabriolet features.

With a canvas roof that can be folded away in 20 seconds, at driving speed up to 50 km/h, and with best in-class aerodynamics, the Stuttgart-born convertible boasts sensual lines and a sleek design, similar in stance and looks to its sedan sibling.

On the Swiss stage in Geneva, Mercedes-Benz rolled a standard version together with the newly badged C 43 variant.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet comes with a striking fascia featuring a diamond radiator grille, LED High Performance headlamps, typically long bonnet and high beltline. Its tightly stretched soft top with glass window transitions harmoniously into the distinctly styled rear end, which has a highly sporty look with its wide shoulders and flat LED tail lights. With a capacity of 360 liters (285 liters with the roof open), the boot is capable of holding an exceptional amount of luggage for a cabriolet, making it suitable not only for a coast drive with the wind in your hair, but also for every day driving.

The interior of the standard variant features high-grade materials, heat-reflecting leather in five different shades offered as options. The AIRCAP and AIRSCARF heating systems, especially developed for the Mercedes-Benz cabriolets, bring driving pleasure to the drop top’s driver 365 a year. Or even 366 days, in leap years like the one the convertible was born in.

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic Cabriolet comes with an even sportier design, sporting the distinct AMG exterior details, together with specific light alloy wheels. The AMG version of the 4-seater is powered by the all-famous 3.0-liter V6, capable of churning out 367 HP and 520 Nm of torque in the exclusive company of the brand’s fast shifting 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission, making its debut in the AMG portofolio together with the Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe, and of the 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The C 43 AMG Cabriolet runs the 0-100 km/h distance in 4.7 seconds.

As for the inside, the Mercedes-AMG C43 is individualized by its multifunctional sports steering wheel wrapped in black leather, featuring a flattened bottom section and red contrasting topstitching.

The fully automatic classic cabriolet fabric soft top comes in black in the basic variant or is optionally available with a multi-layer acoustic soft top in dark brown, dark blue, dark red or black. To provide extra comfort for its occupants, it significantly reduces the wind noise, with better insulation. The acoustic soft top thus offers optimal climate comfort and quiet-running characteristics.

The suspension in the Cabriolet is standardly 15 millimeters lower than in the sedan. If the driver should go for a more agile driving style, than the sports suspension is the best option he could lay hands on.

Mercedes also offers the option of the AIRMATIC air suspension, giving the feeling that the car is riding on thin air.

The DYNAMIC SELECT system goes as a standard feature across the range, setting the car into the driver’s mood and preferred mode, once he switches into “ECO”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” or “Individual”.

Mercedes C-Class Cabrio will be available with six petrol engines and two diesels. The petrol engine range comprise four 4-cylinder versions ( C180 (1.6 liter/156 HP), C 200 (2 liter/184 HP), C 250 (2 liter/211 HP), C 300 (2 liter/245 HP)) and two V6, both with 4Matic as standard ( C 400 (3 liter/333 HP), C 43 AMG (3 liter/367 HP). All engines can be combined with 9 speed automatic gearbox.

The diesel range offer is based on the well-known 2.1 liter 4-cylinder engine: C 220 d (170 HP) and C 250 d (204 HP).

For the first time, Mercedes offers the option for the 4Matic in this class. The C 200 and the C 220 d can be mated optionally with the 4Matic system.

Here is the list of the engines:

The Mercedes-Benz officials called the media night at the Geneva Motor Show “The Night of the Dream cars”. “It has been an incredible ride and we have no intention on stopping”, Ola Kallenius, member of the Board of Management, is threatening rivals and making promises to the future customers.