Driven: Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet ‘hard to beat’
BY DANIEL DEGASPERI | 26th Oct 2016
Whereas the C-Class Coupe on its own was running a close second to BMW’s 4 Series Coupe and Convertible range, the addition of the all-new C-Class Cabriolet has already taken the C-Class two-door duo to segment leadership as first deliveries arrive in the marketplace.
The C Cab launch range includes the C200 – priced from $85,900 plus on-road costs – and the C300 from $99,900, with the range to be bolstered by the $119,900 C43 AMG either late this year or early in 2017, plus the $179,900 C63 AMG which is further afield.
Mercedes-Benz Aust/Pac public relations, product and corporate communications senior manager David McCarthy said international supply constraints had delayed the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG variants.
When the full range reaches showrooms, Mr McCarthy anticipates that C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet sales will soar by 1000 units annually, more than 50 per cent growth compared with last year’s 1409 haul for the hard-top-only range.
“I think when the full range of those are on sale you’d have to be looking at a couple of hundred per month at minimum,” he said.
Sales of 2400 units for the C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet would exceed each of the previous two years of BMW 4 Series volume, which led the $80K-plus sportscar segment with 2201 sales in 2014 and 1921 last year.
To the end of September, Mercedes has posted 1560 C-Class Coupe/Cabrio sales, compared to 1263 from the 4 Series combo.
“It (C-Class) is going to be hard to beat,” Mr McCarthy said. “Competitors have cars to go up against it, but the model range really works in its favour.”The headline act for the C Cabriolet is the debut of a nine-speed automatic transmission into regular model grades for the first time. Where sedan, estate and coupe versions of the C200 and C300 retain (for now) a seven-speed automatic, both grades of cabriolet arrive with the new 9G-Tronic unit.
As with other C-Class entry models, the C200 Cabriolet uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 135kW of power at 5500rpm and 300Nm of torque between 1200rpm and 4000rpm.
Compared with the $20,000-cheaper hard-top version, however, the extra ratios must compensate for a 140kg increase in kerb weight for the soft-top, which tips the scales at 1665kg.
Claimed 8.2-second 0-100km/h acceleration is nine-tenths slower, while combined-cycle fuel consumption of 6.8 litres per 100km is 0.8L/100km thirstier.
The C300 Cabriolet is heavier again at 1690kg – a 125kg increase on the $16,000-cheaper C300 Coupe – but includes a higher-output version of the base engine, with 180kW at 5500rpm and 370Nm from 1300-4000rpm.
Comparing hard- to soft-top, the latter’s 6.4s 0-100km/h acceleration is four-tenths slower while its 7.2L/100km mileage is 0.6L/100km less thrifty.
Mercedes-Benz Aust/Pac has selected as standard a multi-layer roof for every C-Class Cabriolet, which is optional in most markets overseas.
The S-Class Cabriolet-derived design has been constructed of magnesium, aluminium and steel, draped in four no-cost fabric colours (dark brown, dark blue, dark red and black) and it can close or open in 20 seconds at up to 50km/h, even via the remote keyfob.
When closed, the roof permits 360 litres of boot space compared with 285L with the roof open, which is considerably down from the C-Class Coupe’s 400L volume.
The two-pew rear seat also has a 50:50 split-fold function with electrically raised wind deflector and hidden rollover deployment bars above it.
Other equipment on the C200 Cabriolet extends to 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, ‘active bonnet’, blind-spot monitor, collision warning alert with autonomous emergency braking, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, and 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors and automatic parking assistance.
Inside, there is a 7.0-inch colour display with Bluetooth streaming, Garmin Map Pilot sat-nav and digital radio, along with leather-trimmed and memory-set electrically adjustable sports seats, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, push-button start and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
A Comand Package has been reserved as a $2990 option, featuring a 21.3cm colour display, integrated sat-nav with 10GB hard-disc drive, internet and voice control connectivity, and a 13-speaker 590W Burmester sound system.
Likewise, a Warmth Comfort Package has been placed as a $1900 option, featuring heated front seats and the AirScarf neck-level warming function.
Both packages have been included as standard for the C300 Cabriolet, which further includes 19-inch alloy wheels, full keyless entry system as well as a Driver Assistance Plus package – designed to bundle adaptive cruise control with ‘stop and go’ function, automatic lane-keep assistance, active blind-spot assistance and pedestrian and cross-traffic recognition functions.
Sports suspension has been made standard on both C200 Cabriolet and C300 Cabriolet, with Airmatic adaptive air suspension a $2990 extra on both.
The 270kW/520Nm Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet and 375kW/700Nm Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet further add AMG-tuned adaptive suspension.
Mr McCarthy nominated the entry sports model as a potential surprise performer in the market when it arrives.
“The 200 is there for a reason, it’s to provide a price position,” he said when asked of a potential sales split between the C-Class Cabriolet model grades.
“I think 300 will be pretty popular but I wouldn’t underestimate 43. I think that is going to do very well. C43 is not going to outsell C300, but I think it could surprise”.
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet pricing* | |
| C200 (a) | $85,900 |
| C300 (a) | $99,900 |
| C43 AMG (a) | $119,900 |
| C63 AMG (a) | $179,900 |
