Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet 2016 Review

Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet
Local Launch Review
Coldstream, Victoria

On an obscenely cold spring morning in Melbourne, rain clouds loom and the car's thermometer reckons it's a chilly eight degrees Celsius. But when evaluating a convertible it's important to understand just how these things perform with the top down... After all, customers are paying a significant premium for the privilege.

So after a bit of jiggery-pokery with the boot divider (the roof won't open unless it's secured), the roof slides quietly away and we cruise off towards the Yarra Valley.

But instead of being blasted with the vestiges of a frigid cold front from Antarctica, driver and passenger look at each other as if something is awry – the interior is calm and fairly quiet.

Mercedes has done a great job with keeping the cabin isolated from the wind and cold, the new AirCap system of particular note. Standard on all models, a small flap concealed in the top of the windscreen extends up and out at the touch of a button, directing airflow high over occupants' heads.

A power-operated draught stopper deploys from behind the rear seat passengers with the push of a button, further insulating the cabin from the cold, and making it an inviting place to spend time, even in crummy weather.

Our C 300 test car also comes standard with the AirScarf doodad, which pipes warm air onto your neck through a small vent in the front seat headrests. It has three heat settings and together with the heated seats and regular vents warming bodies and hands, the C-Class Cabriolet delivers one of the cosier and quieter open-top experiences we've experienced.

Little touches like the seat-belt extender arm that delivers the belt to you as you hop in is another nice touch you'll rue when not available, and something its tin-topped C-Class Coupe sibling misses out on. It's almost as if every little detail that simplifies the process of driving has been included here, and it all contributes to a relaxed, rewarding experience.

Of course, after an hour of serene top-down motoring, the rain clouds could hold their ballast no more, so the roof was raised once more, a process possible at speeds of up to 50km/h. This is handy, because if the traffic lights go green mid-cycle and you need to pull away, the roof keeps doing its thing.

The C Cab's roof can also be operated remotely via the key fob, a process that makes you feel like a rockstar as you climb in. Yep, it never gets old.

The roof-folding process takes a little longer than some its rivals at 20 seconds, but with technology pilfered from the jaw-dropping S-Class Cabriolet, the cabin is impressively quiet with the roof secured. Benz reckons the robust roof system underwent 20,000 successful opening and closing cycles during testing and while we can attest to the cloth roof's rain-resistance, the dirt-repellent claim will require further (unorthodox) testing methinks.

As with all C-Class vehicles, the interior looks and feels luxurious, a combination of leather and dark woodgrain, classically-styled air vents and neatly integrated audio speakers. The centre console flows smoothly from horizontal to vertical and the reduced number of buttons and dials keeps things elegant in the cabin.

Seat adjustments via the cushion icons on the doors are still class-leading and in a practical sense the car isn't too shabby. Front occupant room is ample and while rear seat passengers don't get half as much room, it's not completely cramped back there and short trips with four adults poses no major problem... although head room with the roof secured makes things cosy.

Boot space is limited too, and Mercedes ain't wrong when it says it'll fit a "standard crate of drinks". So long as it's low and flat you'll be right. Truth be told, you could probably squeeze half a dozen flat slabs in there. The 360 litres of cargo space is impressively wide and extends deep within the car, but it's vertically challenged. In other words, chunky items need not apply – moreso when the roof is folded, reducing space to 285 litres.

There are provisions for folding the rear seats completely flat in a 50:50 split, adding a little more length but the height restrictions still apply to the boot proper.

Although we didn't get to drive the entry-level Mercedes-Benz C 200 Cabriolet ($85,900) it looks classy riding on 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. In fact, roof up or down the new C-Class drop top has a sophisticated look from the front, the side and the rear, thanks in part to the AMG styling pack fitted gratis to every variant sold in Australia.

Furthermore, all models come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission that's excellent around town and good at conserving fuel when cruising. On the other hand, it doesn't feel quite as snappy when you really want to get stuck in, hesitating slightly between shifts.

Metallic paint, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights, sports suspension, satellite navigation, digital radio, a head-up display, black ash (open pore) woodgrain trim and electric seats with memory functions are also standard on all models. The infotainment system is powerful, but the lack of a touch screen seems illogical.

Step up to the C 300 ($99,990), the car on test, and you get a more powerful version of the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which pumps out 180kW and 370Nm (up from 135kW/300Nm). There's more than enough mumbo to reach freeway speeds hastily (0-100km/h takes 8.2 seconds) and the sports exhaust fitted to all C 300s delivers audible burbles between shifts too, adding a touch of theatre, especially with the roof retracted.

The C 300 Cabriolet also gets bigger 19-inch alloy wheels and together with direct steering and a traditional rear-drive setup, the C 300 tips into corners with eagerness and can be piloted through successive bends at a good clip without protest. It certainly feels like it could give the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series convertibles a run for their deutschmarks.

The more expensive C 300 also adds a pumping 13-speaker, 590W Burmester surround sound system, as well as semi-automated driving functions such as steering assist, radar cruise control and Stop&Go Pilot, the latter very effective in dense traffic.

Mercedes-Benz has crafted an accomplished convertible with the new C-Class Cabriolet. It's a smooth and refined vehicle that can still be fun to drive but most of all it makes occupants feel pampered. Relaxing to drive, the C-Class Cabriolet is fitted with powerful technology that never overwhelms the driver. Ergo, there's more time to enjoy the idyll of open-top driving... even if it's freezing cold and windy.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet pricing and specifications:
Price: $99,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 180kW/370Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 155g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Audi A5 Cabriolet (from $81,155 plus ORCs)
>> BMW M4 Convertible (from $85,855 plus ORCs)
>> Porsche Boxster (from $112,800 plus ORCs)