The latest addition to the quickly ballooning Mercedes-Benz range, the C-Class Cabriolet, is a soft-top take on its popular compact sedan which the company is billing as an "entry-level" dream car and an all year round cabriolet.
From the SL through to its recently launched flagship S-Class cabriolet, some of Mercedes' most desirable cars are of the convertible variety. And by aligning the new C-Class Cabriolet with them at this year's Geneva Motor Show, rather than simply positioning it as a soft-top version of the existing sedan, Mercedes is hoping a little bit of that desirability will rub off.
"Our new C-Class Cabriolet is the entry into the world of premium cabriolets from Mercedes-Benz," said Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, head of Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "Sporty and youthful in character and styling, it offers unadulterated open-air driving pleasure all year round."
And if a potential owner ticks every one of the comprehensive options on the list, then the new car could come close to being a rewarding drive whatever the weather.
The C-Class has Airscarf and Aircap technology. The former is a stream of hot air that blows around the driver and front passenger's neck to keep them warm when the outside temperature drops. The latter is an air deflector that cuts turbulence in the cabin and reduces wind noise so that all occupants can chat without raising their voices.
Then there's the optional multi-layer fabric roof that keeps noise out and helps keep the heat in, or the smart climate control system that knows when the roof is down and automatically blows hot air on the driver's hands. Even the optional leather trim is treated to be heat and sun resistant.
Mercedes has some of the most cutting-edge driver assistance and semi-autonomous driving technologies at its disposal and they are all on offer on the new cabriolet, but with the notable exception of emergency autonomous braking, most of them are options.
Under the hood there are a choice of eight different engines starting with a 2-liter 170hp diesel (the 220d) and ending with the twin-turbo V6 that will power the AMG C43 4Matic.
However, regardless of options, Mercedes claims that all of the issues usually associated with a soft top -- such as increased body roll and reduced chassis stiffness -- have been all but eradicated through reinforcing the floor and using aluminum for some panels to cancel out increased weight.
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