Mercedes-Benz C-class cabriolet revealed

Mercedes has revealed the C-class Cabriolet – open-top sibling of the C-class – prior to its public debut at the Geneva motor show 2016. The Cabriolet borrows its styling and much of its dimensions from the C-class Coupe though the Cabriolet sits taller than its sibling.

A rival to the Audi A3 Cabriolet and the BMW 4-series Convertible, the C-class Cabriolet comes equipped with a fabric roof that can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 50kph and folds into the boot when not in use.

Inside the cabin, the design is almost akin to the C-class Coupe though the Cabriolet uses heat-reflecting leather and gets the addition of a button on the centre console to control the roof mechanism. The seats come equipped with the company’s Airscarf neck level heating while Mercedes has also added its Aircap system to stop draft from creeping inside the cabin.

The C-class Cabriolet will go on sale internationally with two diesel and six petrol variants. Sharing its engines with the Coupe, the diesel variants, the C220 d and the C250 d develop 168bhp and 201bhp respectively. The petrol variants develop 154bhp in its base C180 guise, with output going up to 328bhp in the C400. Other petrol variants include the C200, C250 and C300.

The C220 d, C200 and C400 can also be fitted with Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel-drive system. Currently, sitting atop the range of the C-class Cabriolet is the AMG C43 variant powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol motor pumping out 362bhp. The C43 is capable of sprinting from 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250kph. The AMG C43 gets an AMG body kit, larger alloy wheels and different steering to set it apart from the standard model.

The car comes equipped with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard with the option of Dynamic Select allowing the driver to choose from five transmission modes.

A high-performance AMG C63 with the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 is also in the works with the model expected to make its debut before the year is out.

The C-Class Cabriolet’s safety package includes a driver-monitoring system, collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with add-on options including 360-degree camera, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.