Mercedes launches C- and S-Class cabriolets in India
First drop-top C-class and first S convertible since 1971, claims the co
It’s like manufacturers are rushing to get as many vehicles out the door before the close of 2016. Mercedes isn’t being left behind, and just launched the C-Class and S-Class cabriolets in India. Perfect weather for open-top motoring too, unless you’re in Delhi.
The C-Class cabrio comes with one engine option — a 2-litre, 245hp/370Nm four-cylinder petrol, while the S 500 Cabrio is available with a 455hp/700Nm V8 petrol. Both cars come equipped with Mercedes’ more recent 9G-TRONIC transmission. While the performance numbers are healthy, these aren’t all-out sport roadsters, tending toward the luxurious. To this end, the C-Class cabrio comes equipped with AGILITY CONTROL suspension with “selective damping and lowering”, while the S-Class comes with the sublime AIRMATIC air suspension for continuously variable damping.
Of course, the party trick is the automatic roof mechanism, which works at speeds up to 50km/h, while taking a scant 20 seconds (less with the S) to operate. When the top’s down, both cars come with Mercedes’ AIRCAP system which optionally extends a louvre up front and draught stops behind the headrests to reduce cabin turbulence. Of course, traditional Mercedes features such as PRE-SAFE, THERMOTRONIC automatic multi-zone climate control, PARKTRONIC parking assist and an LED lighting system are present.
As is the fashion these days, the C comes with a Burmester sound system with 13 speakers, while the S bumps it up to 23 speakers — an excellent use of the additional space, we say. The S comes with 1520 watts of power too; imagine those 23 speakers doing what they do best with the top down. The Delhi smog can’t clear fast enough.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet 300 is priced at Rs. 60 lakh and the S 500 Cabriolet is priced at Rs. 2.25 crore (Ex-showroom New Delhi).
