2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet

Although the C-Class->ke1593 has always been Mercedes’->ke187 answer to the BMW 3 Series->ke290 and Audi A4,->ke1087 it was never available in as many body styles as its competitors. Merc only offered it as a sedan,->ke142 station wagon,->ke143 and coupe,->ke141 but now, that all changes, as the latest generation will include a convertible->ke144 in its lineup. Mercedes didn’t just chop the roof off the coupe – rather, this cabrio was developed from the ground up to be topless. Now, with the veil dropped on the regular 2016 C-Class two-door, the C-Class Cabriolet makes its official debut at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show.->ke228

Pre-production prototypes of the C-Class cab were spotted on the road as early as 2013, which goes to show just how long it’s been in development. Mercedes frames it as an accessible entry into the world of refined luxury with unlimited headroom, and endowed the compact with all the goods you’d expect along the way.

Updated 03/01/2016: Mercedes dropped full specs on the new C-Class Cabriolet. Read on for all the details!

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet

Specifications

Make: Array
Model: 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
Engine/Motor: inline-4
Horsepower: 241
Torque: 273
[do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Pros

Cons

Exterior

Taking cues from the latest S-Class Cabriolet and the “Sensual Purity” design language, the C-Class Cabriolet looks quite similar to its segment stable mates. In fact, put the top up, and the C-Class Cabriolet sports nearly identical exterior dimensions as the coupe, with only a 0.2-inch discrepancy in height (the convertible is taller).

In front, there’s a diamond radiator grille plus standard LED headlights, while LEDs are used for the taillights as well. There’s chrome trim used on the A-pillar, windshield surround, and beltline, and the stance is 0.6 inches lower than the sedan for a sportier appearance. Tucked under the fenders are 18-inch wheels.

Despite having nearly two decades of experience with electro-hydraulic convertible metal roofs, the C-Class will use a “classic” fabric rag top, which no doubt cuts a little off the curb weight and final MSRP. Made from a multi-layer material, the top can be opened and closed in less than 20 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Mercedes also says it designed the top to keep road and wind noise at a minimum, and preserve cabin temperatures.

Buyers get the top in a black finish as standard, with dark brown, dark blue, or dark red offered as options. There are also 12 paint options for the body.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase	111.8 inches
Length	184.5 inches
Width	71.2 inches
Height	55.5 inches

Interior

Inside, you’ll find a cabin that’s based on the existing C-Class sedan in terms of look and layout, with a driver’s information display in the gauge cluster, a large touchscreen atop the central console, five high climate control vents (three centrally located, two in the corners), and seat adjustment buttons on the doors. However, there are also several convertible-specific features that seek to “extend the open-top driving season to the entire year.”

First up is the standard AirScarf neck heater, which integrates with the head restraints to keep you toasty. The climate control system will pump hot air through the vents towards the driver’s hands, and deactivate air circulation when it detects the roof is down. There’s also a standard manual folding wind blocker behind the front seats.

For a little extra, you can opt for Premium package, which includes the electric AirCap automatic draft stop system. This integrates with the roof frame behind the rear seats for less “turbulence” at the press of a button. You can also get the optional heat-reflecting leather, offered in five different colors.

Up front are sport seats pulled from the C-Class coupe, offering large lateral support bolsters. There are 13 different upholstery variants and seven trim levels available. Materials include aluminum, carbon fiber, and silver fiber glass, as well as open-pore wood in either brown or black. There’s a curved switch in matte silver chrome to activate the roof, and several colors for the soft top liner, including black, porcelain, and crystal grey.

For infotainment, there’s a clever “Frontbass” feature, which uses the body structure to create a “resonance chamber” and enhance lower tones. Options include a premium Burnmester stereo, and the COMAND Online system, which throws in a larger, 8.4-inch display, hard-drive navigation, an integrated Wi-Fi hot spot, and voice control.

Finally, the rear seats have a through-loading, 50:50 split feature.

Drivetrain

For the U.S. market there’s currently only one powerplant available for the C-Class Cabriolet – a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Both RWD and AWD are offered. Mercedes quotes identical acceleration and top speed figures regardless of the number of drive wheels, with 6.3 seconds to 60 mph for the former, and 130 mph for the latter. A standard start-stop feature curbs emissions.

If you’re looking for a little more than the above-mentioned four-banger, check out our review of the AMG C 43, which lays down 367 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, as well as all the accompanying performance bells and whistles.

All C-Class Cabriolet models come equipped with the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission as standard. This uses a variety of settings for various driving modes, including “Eco,” “Comfort,” “Sport,” “Sport Plus,” and the maximally customizable “Individual.”

Chassis And Handling

Mercedes says that, from the get-go, it developed the C-Class with the intention of creating a cabriolet variant. The result is a roofless design that doesn’t come with overt losses in structural rigidity.

It all starts with Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform, which incorporates copious amounts of aluminum and high-strength steel. Aluminum was also used for the fenders, hood, and trunk lid, keeping the Cabriolet as light as possible.

The handling and ride are augmented by the optional AirMatic air suspension system, which uses electronically controlled, continuously variable damping for optimal settings in a variety of conditions.

Safety And Convenience

As you’d expect, there is an extensive airbag system as standard, including adaptive front airbags, kneebags, pelvis bags, and windowbags on the edges of the door panels. There’s also a standard pyrotechnically fired rollover protection system.

A suite of online and remote access features come standard as well, such as automatic emergency call, Accident Recovery, and roadside assistance. In addition, this system allows you to remotely access info like window and door status, current mileage, tire pressure, and more.

But, per usual, there are plenty of additional high-tech safety features, such as Attention Assist, which can detect when the driver is inattentive or drowsy (comes with adjustable levels of sensitivity). There’s also Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which issues a visual and audible warning when an impending frontal collision is detected. Parking Assist provides “semi-automated parking” and additional visibility via an around view camera, while Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus can actively reduce glare for oncoming traffic. Finally, there’s Adaptive Brake Assist, which provides boosted brake pressure when needed, and forward emergency braking, which works at speeds up to 122 mph.

A more comprehensive safety system is offered with the optional Driving Assistance package, which adds Distronic Plus (adaptive cruise control), Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection (automatic braking), and Active Lane Keeping Assist.

Prices

There’s nothing official on pricing as of this writing, but we’re expecting the C-Class Cabriolet to start at just under $50,000 here in the U.S.

There will also be an available “Sport Package” for those who don’t wanna go full AMG, which throws in new bumpers, new side skirts, a grille with chrome pins, new 18-inch alloy wheels, a flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel, sport pedals, firmer suspension, the Sport Direct-Steer system, and larger brakes.

There will also be limited numbers of “Edition 1” variants, which will come in both RWD and AWD.

Whatever your choice, look for the C-Class Cabriolet to become available late this summer.

Competitors

BMW 4 Series Convertible

Sporting a retractable hard top as standard, the 4 Series Convertible comes with two engine choices for U.S. consumers, with the 428i as the base model, and the 435i as the range-topper. The roof is a rather complicated three-piece unit, which adds quite a bit of weight compared with the 4 Series Coupe. This is compounded by the fact that the model wasn’t developed independently from the fixed-roof version.

In other words, despite a decent amount of oomph, the 4 Series Convertible is pretty slow. Those preferring something with a sportier nature can always opt for the M4 Convertible, which starts at $72,500 and comes with a twin-turbo inline-six churning out 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Apart from the M4 version, all 4 Series models in the U.S. are available with the optional xDrive AWD system.

Read the full review on the BMW 4 Series Convertible here.

Audi A5 Convertible

Setting itself apart from the pack, the Audi comes with quattro AWD as standard, no matter the engine choice. Powered by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-banger with 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the A5 Cabriolet is not exactly a thoroughbred sports car, but those who want more can always go for the brawnier S5 Cabriolet.

Equipped with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 making 329 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, the S5 still plays second fiddle to the RS5 Cabriolet, which comes with a high-revving, naturally-aspirated, 4.2-liter V-8 with 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.

Read the full review on the Audi A5 Convertible here.

Conclusion

With both Audi and BMW offering convertible versions of their entry-level sedans for quite a few generations now, it was about time Mercedes jumped on the open-top bandwagon with the C-Class. The only major problem facing the 2016 C-Class Cabrio comes from within its own stable – more specifically, the E-Class Cabriolet. Since the current model is actually based on the old C-Class platform, it’s not a whole lot bigger than its little brother. On the other hand, both models will be priced differently and directed towards different customers, so they shouldn’t step on each other’s toes too much.

Updated history

Updated 02/15/2016: Mercedes dropped a first teaser image for the upcoming C-Class Cabriolet set to be unveiled in early March at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show.

Updated 11/23/2015: The upcoming Mercedes C-Class Convertible was caught testing on the road, during rainy conditions. Hit play to see the upcoming convertible in action.

Updated 11/13/2015: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming C-Class Convertible out for a new testing session. For the first time the car was spotted wearing its real fabric roof - meaning that the previous rumors suggesting the car will get a folding hardtop instead of a fabric roof were wrong.

Updated 02/04/2015: Based on the latest spy shots, we've created a very cool rendering for the upcoming C-Class Convertible. Check it out after the jump.

Updated 05/16/2014: We have created a rendering for the upcoming C-Class Convertible. Check it out after the jump.