Cabriolets are somewhat divisive amongst the car enthusiast community – to some, they’re the mark of a man or woman who’s made it in life, and just wants to run away to the countryside for a weekend while scarves fly off in the wind.
Others find them a little ostentatious. The same could be said for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class convertible 2018, but goodness, is it a lot of fun!
When it comes to the Mercedes hardtop and soft top convertible range, you’re somewhat spoilt for choice. You’ve got the E-Class and the S-Class cabriolets, while the Mercedes C-Class offers a more budget-friendly option, and it’s only available in a soft top.
So far, so good. We’re looking at one of the cheaper Mercedes convertible models, and it’s also evidently more practical thanks to its generously-sized boot, packing in between 280 and 355 litres of space, and realistic back seats.
The Mercedes C-Class convertible specs comprise four petrol and one diesel engine. We start with a 1.5 litre petrol, offering 182BHP, while performance peaks like no other than the C63 AMG convertible, which skyrockets up to 62MPH in 4.2 seconds thanks to a twin-turbo V8 engine.
Of course, that’s not to say that Mercedes have forgone fuel economy in the Mercedes C-Class cabriolet 2018: far from it. The mid-range C220d AMG Line 2dr 9G-Tronic offers up to 58.9 MPG. Sure, it’s only got 194 BHP compared to the 510BHP C63 juggernaut, but if you’re environmentally conscious, it’s highly recommended.
If you’re going for a diesel engine, you’ll certainly hear about it, but this is offset by the otherwise comfortable ride. This is aided in part by the nine-speed automatic gearbox, which is very responsive and doesn’t hesitate at any speed.
You might experience a little bit of body roll when you take corners at speed, but rest assured that all models come with lowered sports suspension to help you feel confident. The steering could be a tad more responsive, but again, it’s not enough to totally throw you off course.
Further considerations for comfort, and indeed, the antidote to the scourge of bad hair days caused by convertibles, we have the Aircap wind deflector. This does exactly what it says on the tin: minimises wind noise while you’re driving with the top down, while the aptly named “Airscarf” blows warm air onto drivers who dare to go topless in winter. They’ve thought of everything!
What’s perhaps most appealing about this cabriolet is the sheer variety of its on-board tech. The C-Class has taken some design inspiration from the S-Class and now features anti-crash technology, as well as an intuitive infotainment screen that’s abundant in high vis display and a range of colours.
Feeling even more flashy? Embrace the “Energising Comfort”, which adapts the mood for the front seat with ambient lighting and even massage programmes.
With only one trim level, the AMG Line, available, you should expect a very high-spec range of tech. The C-Class offers all-round LED lights, front and rear parking sensors, automatic parking and a reversing camera, as well as a sat-nav, DAB radio and keyless start.
Naturally, there’s an option to upgrade to the Comand system, which takes the 10.5-inch screen and pushes it up to 12.3 inches, together with improved sound quality and wireless photo charging.
Starting out at £38, 184, the cabriolet is certainly a more cost-effective option than the S-Class, particularly when you consider that it already features many of the on-board S-Class technical systems.
Alternatively, Mercedes C-Class convertible lease prices start at around £400-£500 per month.
Of course, these are just for the lower end models, and if you’re looking for less economical, but more fun variants, you could pay as much as £79,366 for the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S AT.
The Mercedes C-Class is certainly a crowd pleaser as there are so many variants available – the entry level, lower-powered but all-round comfortable models, or the frankly ridiculous C63.
This is certainly a vehicle for drivers who want to evoke a sense of cool – there’s not really enough room for four passengers to sit comfortably, so it’s better for a quick whip round country roads.
That said, if you’re looking for speed, you might be disheartened at the disparity in price and performance between models. By all means, choose, but choose wisely.
8/10
