First Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet aims directly at 4 Series

There's no mistaking which model Mercedes-Benz is aiming at with its first ever C-Class Cabriolet, with the entry-level C 200 cabrio priced exactly the same as BMW's base 4 Series Convertible, the 420i, at $85,900 plus on-road costs.

That makes the cheapest C-Class Cabriolet – the fourth derivative of the German car-maker's latest mid-size sedan – a hefty $20,000 more expensive than the $65,900 C 200 Coupe on which it's based.

It also sees the base C-Cabriolet split Audi's entry-level A5 Cabriolet (from $81,200) and the aged E-Class Cabriolet (from $89,900), which will be replaced by a new E-Class sedan-based model by 2018.

The C-Class Cabriolet price premium shrinks to $17,500 for the potent V8-powered AMG C 63 S Cabriolet ($179,900) and to $16,500 for the C 300 Cabriolet ($99,900).

The smallest price hike is for the AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet ($119,900), which makes it $14,285 pricier than the equivalent coupe (the $105,615 C 43 Coupe), which costs about $1200 more than the equivalent wagon (the $104,400 C 43 Estate), which costs $2500 more than the C 43 sedan ($101,900).

Unlike the C-Class Coupe, there is no diesel variant in Australia's four-model C-Class Cabriolet range, which is available to order now. The C 200 and 300 will arrive in local showrooms in October, while first deliveries of AMG's C 43 and C 63 S are due early next year.

We covered spec details of the C-Class Cabriolet here , but the C-Class cabrio's equipment list essentially echoes that of the C-Class coupe line-up, which of course lacks a folding fabric roof that opens and closes in 20 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h, and twin pop-up rollover hoops.

Key additions, however, include a multi-layer acoustic soft-top available in dark brown, dark blue, dark red or black colours, plus the turbulence-reducing AIRCAP and neck-warming AIRSCARF systems. All three items will be standard on all Australian models, except the latter for the base C 200.

Also standard across the range is nine airbags, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS with semi-autonomous braking, Blind Spot Assist, PRE-SAFE, ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Bonnet and 360-degree camera.

In addition, models including and above the C 300 Cabriolet will arrive with the Driver Assistance Package PLUS as standard, which includes DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, PRE-SAFE PLUS, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.

The C 200 and 300 both come with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine offering different outputs (135kW/300Nm and 180kW/370Nm respectively), while the C 43 comes with a 270kW/520Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 and the C 63 S has a 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

All models are fitted with a nine-speed automatic transmission except the C 63, which 'makes do' with a seven-speed unit.

Standard at base level metallic paint, 18-inch AMG wheels, heat-reflecting leather upholstery, AMG Body Styling, Sports Suspension with Sports Direct-Steer system, LED Intelligent Light System, DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes, GARMIN MAP PILOT navigation, DAB+ Digital Radio, Head-up Display, Electric front seats with memory function and Black Ash Open Pore wood trim.

The C 300 adds 19-inch AMG wheels, a Burmester surround sound system, COMAND Online navigation, Heated Front Seats, AIRSCARF, KEYLESS-GO and Sports Exhaust, while the AMG C 43 adds AMG RIDE-CONTROL and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

While the C 43 Cab hits 100km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds, the range-topping C 63 S does it in 4.1 and also gains 19/20-inch AMG wheels, AMG active dynamic engine mounts, AMG electronic rear axle locking differential, AMG high-performance composite braking system, AMG performance exhaust system, Nappa leather, digital TV tuner and an AIR-BALANCE package as standard.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet pricing (plus ORCs):
C 200 — $85,900
C 300 — $99,900
AMG C 43 4MATIC — $119,900
AMG C 63 S — $179,900