Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
If you thought fending off spy photographers was the most difficult part of testing prototype vehicles, then you’ve never seen what these guys trying out the new 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabrio are up to.
Even though temperatures are hovering around the zero degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) mark in the northern half of Europe, the new C-Class Cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz won’t test itself... So forget everything your mother told you about how to avoid colds in the winter and drop that canvas roof like it was July on the French Riviera. Don’t worry, you’ve got the AIRSCARF to keep your neck warm and AIRCAP to keep the cold outside air away. Plus, you’ve got insurance, so stop complaining.
These latest shots of a dark blue C-Class Cabrio are by far the most revealing so far, with the car only wearing some matching black spandex over the rear. That’s enough to mask the more subtle features, but we know what to expect and we’re quite happy with the new design Mercedes-Benz is using on its sedan-derived coupés and convertibles.
The model spied here is a Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Cabrio, which means it gets the three-liter bi-turbo V6 engine doing 367 hp - the same powering the new Mercedes-AMG SLC43 roadster launched today. The AMG Sport line was developed to sit in between the top Mercedes-Benz regular models and the sporty Mercedes-AMG versions in both performance and price, opening the prospect of owning an AMG model to a whole new section of the public.
But this guy clearly wasn’t testing a convertible car with its top down on a winter’s day by accident or because his boss hates him. He was checking out the efficiency of the AIRCAP system in extreme conditions, and if it’s anything like on the old E-Class Cabrio, then we’re pretty sure he didn’t make a stop at the drug store on his way back.
What the AIRCAP basically does is extend an air deflector from the top of the windscreen’s frame that pushes the oncoming air up and away from all the passengers in the car, including the ones on the back seats. In conjunction with the rear air deflector and with the windows up, this can allow open-top journeys at temperatures where in other convertibles you’d be searching for your mittens. And the best part is the C-Class Cabrio will deploy the AIRCAP with the press of a button, while the rear air deflector seems to be automated as well.
However, there’s bad news too. We all know that coupés and convertibles in this class have to compromise severely on rear legroom, and the new C-Class Cabrio makes no exception. Based on what we can see in these images, the 2+2 configuration will only work in real life with two tiny persons in the rear.
The convertible version of the new C-Class - and the final body style to be launched after the sedan, wagon and coupé - is expected to be with us soon, next year’s Geneva show presenting itself as the most likely venue for its official launch. That still means that customers won’t get it in time for summer, but then again don’t forget about the AIRCAP.
These latest shots of a dark blue C-Class Cabrio are by far the most revealing so far, with the car only wearing some matching black spandex over the rear. That’s enough to mask the more subtle features, but we know what to expect and we’re quite happy with the new design Mercedes-Benz is using on its sedan-derived coupés and convertibles.
The model spied here is a Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Cabrio, which means it gets the three-liter bi-turbo V6 engine doing 367 hp - the same powering the new Mercedes-AMG SLC43 roadster launched today. The AMG Sport line was developed to sit in between the top Mercedes-Benz regular models and the sporty Mercedes-AMG versions in both performance and price, opening the prospect of owning an AMG model to a whole new section of the public.
But this guy clearly wasn’t testing a convertible car with its top down on a winter’s day by accident or because his boss hates him. He was checking out the efficiency of the AIRCAP system in extreme conditions, and if it’s anything like on the old E-Class Cabrio, then we’re pretty sure he didn’t make a stop at the drug store on his way back.
What the AIRCAP basically does is extend an air deflector from the top of the windscreen’s frame that pushes the oncoming air up and away from all the passengers in the car, including the ones on the back seats. In conjunction with the rear air deflector and with the windows up, this can allow open-top journeys at temperatures where in other convertibles you’d be searching for your mittens. And the best part is the C-Class Cabrio will deploy the AIRCAP with the press of a button, while the rear air deflector seems to be automated as well.
However, there’s bad news too. We all know that coupés and convertibles in this class have to compromise severely on rear legroom, and the new C-Class Cabrio makes no exception. Based on what we can see in these images, the 2+2 configuration will only work in real life with two tiny persons in the rear.
The convertible version of the new C-Class - and the final body style to be launched after the sedan, wagon and coupé - is expected to be with us soon, next year’s Geneva show presenting itself as the most likely venue for its official launch. That still means that customers won’t get it in time for summer, but then again don’t forget about the AIRCAP.
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