While the new-generation Mercedes C-Class sedan was big news in terms of design, both inside and out, the 2016 model year will bring even more news to the lineup, this time around in the form of a brand-new model. No, we're not talking about a facelift, but a new member for the C-Class family: the two-door convertible.->ke144 The drop-top will be the first convertible in the model's 21-year history, and the Germans have been elbows deep into developing and testing it since September 2013. It's been three months since we last saw a prototype stretching its wheels on public roads, and the upcoming C-Class Convertible made another appearance, with new details for us to gaze at.

Naturally, the test vehicle is still camouflaged. The official reveal won't occur until the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show,->ke235 and we wouldn't bet on seeing it in the metal anytime soon. But we're happy with everything we can get, and the new test car our paparazzi spotted in Germany reveals plenty of interesting details about the drop-top [C-Class.

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Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Mercedes C-Class Convertible.

Spy Shots

Unlike previous prototypes, the one shown above is fitted with production taillights and an uncamouflaged trunk lid. This is our first and best view yet of the C-Class Convertible's rear fascia and it seems Mercedes designers have turned to the S-Class Coupe when sketching the new compact. The light clusters are identical in shape and pattern to the S-Class' and are linked together by the same chrome strip. Even the exhaust tips are similar. This is solid indication that the Germans could transplant some more from the large coupe, but we expect the entire front fascia to come from the C-Class sedan.

Other than that, we are stuck with what we already know. The C-Class Convertible rides on the company's MFA platform, albeit with some modifications, and comes with a canvas top. The drop-top should sit a tad closer to the ground and feature a wider track when compared to the sedan, but it will borrow the entire engine lineup of the latter.

Whether or not there will be an AMG version of the C-Class Convertible is still a mystery. Mercedes doesn't offer an AMG model based on the the E-Class Convertible and there's no previous C-Class drop-top to provide us with any hints, but we wouldn't be surprised to see one come out of Affalterbach for the 2017 model year.

Why it matters

These spy shots provide us with out first look at the C-Class Convertible's rear end design. That's the part that matters most right now, as the front fascia will resemble the sedan's in order to keep the family together. Granted, the S-Class-inspired rear end is a fine choice, as the full-size coupe is stunning to look at and the C-Class sedan's current taillights would've made an awkward fit for a two-door convertible or coupe. The C-Class Convertible might just be the best-looking compact drop-top when it becomes official.

Rendering