SPY PICS: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz’s new-generation C-Class sedan, codenamed W205, will launch in Australia in late August, before wagon, coupe and perhaps all-new hatchback versions to follow.

But these new spy photos suggest Benz is also working on a drop-top version of its volume-selling mid-size model.

Snapped in Europe, two sets of photos show early (black cladding) and late (psychedelic camo) prototypes being tested, both fitted with metal folding roofs.

The ninja photographers' company that snapped the photos, Automedia, reckons this is a slam-dunk C-Class Cabriolet, which would be a first for Mercedes.

It would slot in underneath the recently revamped E-Class Convertible, providing Mercedes with a vehicle that competes with the BMW 4 Series Convertible in terms of price and size.

At the C-class international launch there was speculation that a C-class cabrio would join the range, and these spy photos appear to ratify the murmurings.

Based on the upcoming two-door C-Class coupe, the new cabrio will be offered with all the goodies seen on the new C-Class sedan, and will show off a more integrated, mature design.

It will likely be the fifth variant and the first drop-top within C-Class range, after the sedan, wagon, coupe, and an expected liftback model, in the vein of the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Engine types will mirror that of the C-Class sedan, so everything from 125kW/400Nm four-pot diesels to turbo-petrol 2.0-litre units and the beastly C 400, powered by a twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol donk worth 245kW/480Nm.

The stylish new C-Class convertible will be Mercedes-Benz’s most affordable drop-top, undercutting the E-Class Cabriolet and sporty SLK-Class. Unless of course Mercedes decides to flip the lid of the MFA platform that underpins the A-, B-, CLA- and GLA-Class... Stranger things have happened.