What We Like
Sporty and modern interior and exterior
Effortless top-down cruising
Effective Aircap wind deflector
What We Dislike
You have to work the C200's engine a little harder if you want to have a bit of fun
Just like how people enjoy eating meals outside, or relaxing on the porch on a nice day, it is actually pretty awesome to be driving and feeling the wind on your face.
And no matter how illogical it may seem to engineers who ponder over the structural, mechanical and aerodynamical problems that come with turning a coupe into a convertible, they somehow manage to fit motors, micro-switches and a labyrinthine of mechanism to construct an origami-style folding metal-top, or in this case, a fabric one for the new C-Class Cabriolet.
It's truly a class act
What you see here is the C200 variant of Mercedes-Benz's latest two-door version soft-top of the company's popular C-Class executive sedan. Our editor Julian test drove the more powerful C300 version back in July of last year in Trieste, Italy and fell in love with it.
And it isn't hard to see why. From its muscular lines and seductive cabin, to its longer, wider stance, and large air intakes its hard not to get excited about the C-Class Cabriolet based on just looks alone.
Featuring plenty of high-quality details, its distinctive character is most apparent with the top down. With the top up, the profile of the new two-door Cabriolet resembles that of its Coupe sibling.
It's not until you open the fully automatic fabric soft-top do you experience the unbridled driving enjoyment. There's almost no buffeting or wind entering the cabin with the top down and the windows up either, making for relaxed topless cruising when you're not in the mood for the full monty.
Here's looking at you, kid
A diamond radiator grille, coupled with LED high-performance headlamps, a long bonnet and high beltline makes the C-Class's front end striking indeed. At the back, wide shoulders, upswept LED taillights and a curvy rear puts Jennifer Lopez's to shame.
Our test car came with optional AMG Line 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, AMG floor mats, black open-pore dash ash wood trim and an analogue clock. This is all good and dandy, but you wouldn't be anywhere close to Spartan without these embellishments.
Tranquillity in luxurious surrounds
Warm ambient lighting illuminating from various parts of the car's interior welcomes you as you enter the cabin.
For passengers wearing toupees, the Cabriolet's electronically deployed Aircap wind deflector that rises up like a James Bond villain's doomsday weapon from the upper edge of the windshield frame, will impress and calm conditions of flailing hair in the rear seats by cutting down the turbulence when cruising with the top down.
Drop all four windows and there's only a minor increase in the amount of wind coming into the cabin, and it's never uncomfortable. That feeling of insulation is enhanced by the seating position, which lets you drop yourself down into the cabin as much as you like.
Smooth sailing
Another impressive feature worth mentioning is the car's start-stop system. Even around town in heavy traffic, where it's shutting down and cranking back to life regularly, it is never intrusive, a mark of a very competent and effective system.
A turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that's capable of 184bhp and 300Nm of peak torque comes to life the minute you push the car's ignition button.
Around town, we had no gripes with the engine or transmission. The pairing is smooth, quiet, and effortless. The inherent refinement remains a factor right up to highway speed too, so long as you don't have to get there too rapidly.
Visually stunning inside and out, effortless to drive and chock-full of tech, the C200 is a shoo-in for anyone who has the means and motive to own a convertible at least once in their lives.
Warm ambient lighting illuminating from various parts of the car's interior welcomes you as you enter the cabin.
For passengers wearing toupees, the Cabriolet's electronically deployed Aircap wind deflector that rises up like a James Bond villain's doomsday weapon from the upper edge of the windshield frame, will impress and calm conditions of flailing hair in the rear seats by cutting down the turbulence when cruising with the top down.
Drop all four windows and there's only a minor increase in the amount of wind coming into the cabin, and it's never uncomfortable. That feeling of insulation is enhanced by the seating position, which lets you drop yourself down into the cabin as much as you like.
Smooth sailing
Another impressive feature worth mentioning is the car's start-stop system. Even around town in heavy traffic, where it's shutting down and cranking back to life regularly, it is never intrusive, a mark of a very competent and effective system.
A turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that's capable of 184bhp and 300Nm of peak torque comes to life the minute you push the car's ignition button.
Around town, we had no gripes with the engine or transmission. The pairing is smooth, quiet, and effortless. The inherent refinement remains a factor right up to highway speed too, so long as you don't have to get there too rapidly.
Visually stunning inside and out, effortless to drive and chock-full of tech, the C200 is a shoo-in for anyone who has the means and motive to own a convertible at least once in their lives.
