A Mercedes to Drive from Autumn into Winter

The "190," the progenitor of the C-Class, debuted in 1982. Since then, in addition to traditional Mercedes body types like the sedan and station wagon, recent years have seen the addition of the SUV "GLC", the roadster "SLC", and "C-Class Coupe" Coupe, among other variations.

Since its debut in 2014, the current C-Class has been a core model for Mercedes, selling over 40,000 units. Now, a four-seater open-top model, the "C-Class Cabriolet" has been added. "The C-Class Cabriolet incorporates technology from the S-Class Cabriolet without compromise, offering a comfortable open-air driving experience for four occupants. Of course, the C-Class's safety and agile driving performance are carried over to the cabriolet as well," says Kintaro Ueno, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Japan.

Regarding the timing of the launch, Mr. Ueno stated, "While open-top models are often associated with summer, we believe the upcoming season, starting in autumn, and even winter, are the best times for this announcement." He explained, "This is because Mercedes open-top models offer the same quietness as a coupe when the soft top is closed, and the open-air freedom that is the greatest appeal of an open-top model when the roof is down. Furthermore, even on cold winter days, you can enjoy open-top driving in comfort thanks to features that prevent wind turbulence and retain warm cabin air. The car also offers versatility, with the ability to fold down the rear seats to accommodate a significant amount of luggage, making the C-Class Cabriolet a truly multi-purpose vehicle."

Design Motif Shared Between Coupe and Cabriolet

The exterior design of the C-Class Cabriolet embodies Mercedes' latest design philosophy of "modern luxury." It features a long hood with short overhangs, and employs Mercedes' signature design technique of creating elegance by lengthening the distance from the door opening at the base of the A-pillar to the wheels (termed "prestige measurement" by Mercedes). The side character line follows a dropping line, common to models like the S-Class Cabriolet, flowing from the front bumper through the fender line to the rear, creating a sense of both dynamism and luxury.

The soft top creates a stylish and beautiful silhouette in both open and closed states. This acoustic soft top offers excellent sound insulation and durability. It is available in three vibrant colors—blue, black, and dark red—that complement the body color, and features a glass rear window for clear rearward visibility. The top can be operated while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h, opening or closing in approximately 20 seconds.

The interior combines the high-quality ambiance and practicality characteristic of the C-Class. The rear seats feature a through-loading function, allowing them to be folded down with a single touch using switches located on either side of the trunk, enhancing practicality. Additionally, dedicated cabriolet features have been added, including AIRCAP to suppress wind turbulence inside the cabin, AIRSCARF that blows warm air around the neck, and a climate control system that directs warm air to the driver's hands to prevent them from getting cold when holding the steering wheel with the soft top open.

Body Rigidity Considered from the Initial Development Stage

Ensuring body rigidity is a challenge for open-top cabriolets due to their lack of a fixed roof structure. However, according to Junichi Kinoshita, Manager of Product Planning Section 1 in the Sales Planning Department at Mercedes-Benz Japan, "The C-Class Cabriolet was designed from the early stages of development of the base sedan model with sufficient body rigidity for a cabriolet in mind."

Furthermore, the front end of the body shell, the area around the floor, and the roof structure have been newly designed for the cabriolet. Utilizing Mercedes' latest technology, the aluminum hybrid body shell combines lightweight aluminum alloys with high-strength steel to achieve both high body rigidity and reduced weight.

In terms of safety, areas requiring occupant protection are reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel, while surrounding structures are designed for impact absorption, achieving world-leading collision safety performance and pedestrian protection.

Four Engine Variations

The C-Class Cabriolet's powertrain options include a 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo engine producing 156 hp and 250 Nm of torque for the "C 180 Cabriolet Sport," and a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine producing 245 hp and 370 Nm of torque for the "C 300 Cabriolet Sport." Both are paired with the "9G-TRONIC" 9-speed automatic transmission, which balances quiet operation with fuel efficiency.

All engines feature the latest BlueDIRECT technology, which ensures optimal combustion by controlling fuel injection with millisecond precision and utilizing multi-spark ignition for reliable firing.

Two engine options are available for the Mercedes-AMG models. The Mercedes-AMG "C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet" is equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 biturbo direct-injection engine that produces 367 hp and 520 Nm of torque. This engine features a lightweight construction and NANOSLIDE friction-reducing coating on the cylinder walls, a spray-coated steel-carbon material.

The Mercedes-AMG "C 63 S Cabriolet" features an AMG-developed 4.0-liter V8 biturbo direct-injection engine, sharing its basic design with the AMG GT sports car. This engine delivers 510 hp and 700 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds.

Additionally, AMG models are equipped with dedicated AMG features such as AMG parameter steering with specific tuning, AMG enhanced brake system, and AMG exhaust system, delivering a high-performance driving experience.

Building upon the C-Class's driving performance, safety, practicality, and environmental efficiency, the C-Class Cabriolet features comfort-oriented equipment developed specifically for open-top driving. Combined with the highly weather-resistant acoustic soft top, it promises an enjoyable open-air driving experience throughout the year.

Mercedes-Benz C 180 Cabriolet Sport | Mercedes-Benz C 180 Cabriolet Sport
Body Dimensions | Length 4,705 x Width 1,810 x Height 1,405 mm
Wheelbase | 2,840 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,575 / 1,555 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,710 kg
Engine | 1,595 cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC with Turbocharger
Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 73.7 mm
Max. Output | 115 kW (156 hp) / 5,300 rpm
Max. Torque | 250 Nm (25.5 kgm) / 1,200-4,000 rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT (9G Tronic)
Drivetrain | FR
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 14.3 km/ℓ
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Discs / Ventilated Discs
Tires Front/Rear | 225/45R18 / 245/40R18
Trunk Capacity | 285 / 360 Liters
Min. Turning Radius | 5.2 Meters
Steering Position | Right
Price | 6.06 Million Yen

Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet Sport | Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet Sport
Body Dimensions | Length 4,705 x Width 1,810 x Height 1,405 mm
Wheelbase | 2,840 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,575 / 1,550 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,730 kg
Engine | 1,991 cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC with Turbocharger
Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 92.0 mm
Max. Output | 180 kW (245 hp) / 5,500 rpm
Max. Torque | 370 Nm (37.7 kgm) / 1,300-4,000 rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT (9G Tronic)
Drivetrain | FR
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 13.5 km/ℓ
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Discs / Ventilated Discs
Tires Front/Rear | 225/40R19 / 255/35R19
Trunk Capacity | 285 / 360 Liters
Min. Turning Radius | 5.2 Meters
Steering Position | Right
Price | 7.68 Million Yen

Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet | Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet
Body Dimensions | Length 4,705 x Width 1,810 x Height 1,405 mm
Wheelbase | 2,840 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,600 / 1,555 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,880 kg
Engine | 2,996 cc V6 DOHC with Twin Turbochargers
Bore x Stroke | 88.0 x 82.1 mm
Max. Output | 270 kW (367 hp) / 5,500-6,000 rpm
Max. Torque | 520 Nm (53.0 kgm) / 2,000-4,200 rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT (9G Tronic)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 11.4 km/ℓ
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Discs / Ventilated Discs
Tires Front/Rear | 225/40R19 / 255/35R19
Trunk Capacity | 285 / 360 Liters
Min. Turning Radius | 5.5 Meters
Steering Position | Right
Price | 9.6 Million Yen

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet | Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet
Body Dimensions | Length 4,750 x Width 1,875 x Height 1,405 mm
Wheelbase | 2,840 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,635 / 1,590 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,960 kg
Engine | 3,982 cc V8 DOHC with Twin Turbochargers
Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 92.0 mm
Max. Output | 375 kW (510 hp) / 5,500-6,250 rpm
Max. Torque | 700 Nm (71.4 kgm) / 1,750-4,500 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed AT (AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT)
Drivetrain | FR
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 8.9 km/ℓ
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Discs / Ventilated Discs
Tires Front/Rear | 255/35R19 / 285/30R19
Trunk Capacity | 285 / 360 Liters
Min. Turning Radius | 5.4 Meters
Steering Position | Right
Price | 14.03 Million Yen