This is the 1st Mercedes C-Class cabriolet – entry to the world of premium cabriolets

The first Mercedes C-Class cabriolet

Mercedes launched their first open-top version of the C-Class: the first Mercedes C-Class cabriolet.

The new C-Class cabriolet is the new entry into the world of premium cabriolets from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG.

Smallest Mercedes cabriolet sporty and youthful

The company rounds off its range of cabriolets with the introduction of this latest classic fabric soft-top, with C-Class cabriolet joining the E-Class cabriolet and S-Class cabriolet, while hardtop roadsters continue in the SLC and SL.

As the luxury/sports car maker’s smallest cabriolet, the C-Class cabriolet is devised to be more sporty and youthful in its character and styling.

With the 2nd interpretation of C-Class coupé non-AMG models being delivered to Mercedes dealers countrywide around now, the 1st C-Class cabriolet will be added to the local line-up later this year.

Flowing roofline, spacious boot and open-top comfort

With its roof up, the profile is shaped to resemble the flowing coupé roofline of the C-Class coupé, minus a few curves around the C-pillar due to the fixed versus folding cloth roofs, and is a negligible 4mm higher.

The boot capacity is 285 litres with the roof open and 360 litres with the roof closed, which is spacious for a cabriolet, especially in its class, and compares well to 400 litres in the new C coupé.

Airscarf neck-level heating and Aircap automatic windscreen-mounted draught stop are also available, as found in the E and S cabrios, adding open-top comfort even in colder weather.

The cabriolet-body C-Class gets additional reinforcement to keep the body as rigid as possible, and for safety and comfort/safe feeling, a pair of roll-over protection bars.

Benz likely models

The Mercedes-Benz (non-AMG) cabriolet models for the South African market have not been announced yet, though expect C200 and C300 models, without the C220d coupé engine (no diesel cabriolet for SA). 

The AMG Line exterior/interior sports package will be available for that partial AMG look, as pictured on the blue C400 cabriolet AMG Line.

Smaller AMG cabriolet

As a C400 V6 has joined the overseas line-up, it remains to be seen whether this will make the local showrooms, or if this will be skipped in favour of the Mercedes-AMG models, of which there are 3:  Mercedes-AMG C43 cabriolet (the softer AMG option, with the sonorous 3.0 turbo V6 as found in GLE 450), Mercedes-AMG C63 cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG C63 S cabriolet (the full-on V8 turbo performance cabriolet options).

These AMG models will correct a major oversight in the current Mercedes line-up:  the outgoing E-Class coupé and E-Class cabriolet never received any AMG models, despite their preceding CLK models having had CLK55 AMG and later CLK63 AMG.

Others to take on?

The German premium car manufacturers favour the mid-size cabriolet, so the C-Class cabriolet will meet the A5/S5 cabriolet from Audi, and the 4 Series convertible from BMW.  The AMG 63 cabriolet models will be compared to Audi RS5 cabriolet and BMW M4 convertible.

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