Mercedes-Benz outs C-Class Cabriolet pricing

MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Cabriolet buyers will pay a price premium of up to $20,000 over hard-top Coupe variants for the privilege of wind-in-the-hair motoring when the all-new drop-top range rollout starts in Australia next month.

The four-model, four-seat, all-petrol cabrio range kicks off with the base level C200 Cabriolet at $85,900 plus on-road costs – $20,000 more than the Coupe equivalent.

The C300 Cabriolet comes in at $99,900 (+$16,500), the “AMG light” bi-turbo V6 AMG C43 4Matic at $119,900 (the coupe C43 price has yet to be announced) and the range-topping V8 AMG C63 S Cabriolet at $179,900 (+$17,500).

While the two standard variants will touch down in showrooms next month, AMG-enhanced C-Class cabrios will take the long route to Australia, getting here in early 2017.

The folding soft top – derived from the luxurious S-Class Cabriolet – be offered in four colours: dark brown, dark blue, dark red and black.

The frame of the roof combines magnesium, aluminium and steel for reduced weight, and can fully open and close in 20 seconds at up to 50km/h.

Mercedes claims the roof has been subjected to 20,000 opening and closing cycles, and that the multi-layered structure of the soft top can significantly reduce noise.

When the roof is closed, a normal-sized golf bag can fit comfortably in the boot. However, boot space is compromised with the roof down.

Aircap cuts interior turbulence in top-down driving, while in the colder months, Mercedes’ familiar Airscarf – optional on C200 but standard on other variants – blows warm air on to the necks of front-seat occupants.

Standard safety features include nine airbags, semi-autonomus braking, blind-spot assist, 360 degree camera and a roll-over protection system that deploys a rear roll bar from behind the back seats if the car tips over.

Mechanically, the Cabriolet variants are the same as the Coupe range, with the entry-level C200 getting a 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes 18-inch AMG wheels, sports suspension, head-up display and leather upholstery with black ash wood trim.

The C300 gets an extra 45kW/70Nm from the same engine, and adds 19-inch AMG wheels, Burmester surround sound system, heated front seats, keyless entry and a sports exhaust.

The Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic gets 270kW and 520Nm out of its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 that is connected with all-wheel drive, giving it a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds.

The halo model in the Cabriolet range, the C63 S, employs AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that develops 375kW/700Nm for a 4.1s 0-100km/h sprint, 0.2s slower than the Coupe equivalent.

It also scores a number of extra AMG-branded bits including 19- or 20-inch rims, active dynamic engine mounts, electronic rear axle locking differential, a hi-po braking system, performance exhaust and Nappa leather.

So far in 2016, Mercedes has found 1026 homes in Australia for the outgoing coupe and cabriolet, making the ageing Benz the top-selling model in the luxury sportscar class, ahead of the BMW 4 Series (995).

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

*Excludes on-road costs