A pre-production prototype of the first ever open-top C-Class has been recently spied wearing a lot less camouflage than previous ones. The lack of hardcore body armor makes its overall appearance much more obvious, and we can finally get a better glimpse of its canvas roof. Even though it started testing in early 2013, long before its coupe sibling, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet will be unveiled after the new C-Class Coupe, sometime in early 2016. This is the first time that the C-Class receives a convertible version, as that role was first met by the CLK Cabrio and then by the C-Class-based E-Class Cabrio.
Borrowing from some of its predecessors, the 2016 C-Class Cabrio is expected to feature the often-copied AirScarf, a passenger neck-heating system, and maybe even the AirCap, a funky-looking wind-deflector that reduces interior draft to a minimum. Unlike its rival, the BMW 4 Series Cabrio, the C-Class will stick to a canvas roof for a more traditional look and to keep the weight down.
Speaking of weight, the model is expected to be the lightest car in its segment for two reasons. First, it is based on the aluminum-intensive MRA (Modular Rear-wheel-drive Architecture) platform and second, it was developed separately from the C-Class Coupe, despite sharing its architecture. This means that intsead of chopping the coupe’s roof and adding chassis reinforcements that increase rigidity but also add weight, the C-Class Cabrio has been developed from the ground up as a stand-alone, convertible car.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Mercedes C-Class Convertible.
Merceds-Benz C-Class Cabrio Starts Stripping originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 10 April 2015 12:00 EST.
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