It is an “open secret,” says Daimler on social media: There will be a convertible version of the Mercedes-Benz C-class. This rendering, faithful to the real thing, gives a good glimpse of what customers can expect to see in showrooms later this year.
Mercedes also says that the C-class cabriolet is a four-seater (although the rear seat will be tight), and it will feature a fabric top, just like the Audi A5 cabriolet, but unlike the BMW 4-series?which is fitted with an elaborate and heavier retractable hardtop.
The full list of engine choices have not been revealed yet, but we know that the range will be bookended by the C300 cabriolet with a 241-hp 2.0-liter four, and the Mercedes-AMG C63S Cabriolet with a 503-hp 4.0-liter V-8. In between, Daimler could offer an AMG C43 cabriolet with a 362-hp 3.0-liter V-6. Automatic transmissions are standard. Other markets, by the way, get a far more generous choice of powertrains, including diesels, and a manual transmission. With a price point below that of its bigger brother, the C-class cabriolet could make life difficult for the current E-class cabriolet, which is still based on the last-generation C-class. A new version of the E-class convertible isn’t likely to appear until mid 2017 at the earliest.

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