Mercedes begins to show us the Clase C Cabriolet, roofless but still classy

The current generation of the Clase C from Mercedes is one of the fundamental pillars for the star brand.

Besides the saloon, estate and coupé versions, Mercedes has decided to launch, for the first time in the model’s history, a convertible variant.

The Clase C debuted in 1991, replacing the until then best-selling 190. After three generations (W202, W203 and W204), it is with the fourth and current one (W205) that the Germans have decided to build a convertible variant for the first time, thus broadening their sales possibilities.

Until a few years ago, this market niche was covered by the CLK, a coupé halfway between the Clase C and the Clase E that came in coupé and convertible versions. However, with the arrival of the W204 facelift, the C Coupé was introduced, which led to the CLK’s disappearance, leaving Mercedes without weapons to fight the BMW 3 Series Cabrio, Audi A5 Cabrio or Lexus IS C.

Its exterior design will be a copy of the Clase S Cabrio

The current generation of the Clase C offers a design very similar to the Clase S. This is becoming a trend within the brand, since the newly launched generation of the Clase E is practically a copy of its bigger sister. This suggests that in the convertible variant this will remain unchanged, including the fabric roof of the Clase S.

The brand has released a teaser of the Clase C Cabriolet which, although it is only a sketch, already makes it clear that, once again, the design of this version will be very similar to that of the Clase S Cabriolet. Inside, a dashboard virtually identical to that of the closed versions is expected, although it will add some specific equipment such as more enveloping seats with heating in the neck area, called AIRSCARF, as well as the AIRCAP system against turbulence.

Mechanically, the cabrio variant will share all its components with its siblings in the range, although the entry-level versions may not reach the cabrio. Of course, there will be models signed by AMG, two in particular. The first, a C43 AMG with 362 CV, while the most beastly of all, the C63 AMG, will mount the already well-known 4.0 V8 biturbo with 480 CV. Its launch is planned for the Geneva Motor Show, which will hold its press sessions on 1 and 2 March.

Source | Mercedes-Benz