Mercedes-Benz C Class AMG Cabriolet

• Body Glass
  • Electric windows with one touch opening/closing and obstruction sensors
  • Green tinted glass
  • Rain sensor windscreen wipers
  • Side windows surround in polished aluminium
• Brakes
  • Adaptive brake system with hold function and brake drying function
  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  • Brake calipers with AMG lettering + perforated brake discs
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
  • Sports braking system with larger brake discs
• Carpets/Rugs
  • Floor mats with black leather edging, red piping and AMG logo
• Chassis/Suspension
  • AMG Ride Control sports suspension
• Communication
  • Bluetooth interface for hands free telephone
• Driver Aids
  • 2 stage speed sensitive sport steering
  • 360 degree camera
  • Active park assist with parktronic system
  • Attention assist
  • Collision prevention assist plus
  • Cruise control with speedtronic variable speed limiter
  • DYNAMIC SELECT with a choice of driving modes (ECO, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual)
  • Reversing camera
• Driver Convenience
  • ECO start/stop function
  • Remote boot release
• Driver Information
  • 12.3" digital instrument cluster display
  • AMG boot logo in central screen
  • Comand Online HDD Nav with media interface,radio/CD/DVD/MP3, 10.25 screen, linguatronic voice control
  • High resolution 10.25" multimedia colour display
  • Instrument cluster two tube design round dials and 5.5-inch TFT multi-function display
  • Mercedes me connect including emergency call system, accident recovery, breakdown management and maintenance
  • Multi function trip computer
  • Outside temperature display
  • Pre-wiring for SD navigation system
  • Service indicator (ASSYST)
  • Status display for rear seat belts in instrument cluster
• Driving Mirrors
  • Black door mirror housings
  • Exterior mirrors heated and electronically adjustable
• Embellishment Trims
  • Anthracite open pore oak wood trim
  • Artico man-made leather dashboard with red contrast stitching
• Engine
  • 66l fuel tank with increased capacity
  • Petrol Particulate Filter
• Entertainment
  • DAB digital radio tuner
  • Frontbass loudspeakers
  • Midline sound system
  • Two USB ports and one SD Card slot in centre console
• Exterior Body Features
  • Acoustic soft-top with enhanced climate and noise comfort
  • AIRCAP wind deflector and draught stop
  • AMG bodystyling - front apron with distinctive air intakes and AMG rear apron with diffuser look
  • AMG boot lid spoiler in body colour
  • AMG design radiator grille with double louvre in matt iridium silver with AMG lettering
  • AMG performance exhaust system
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Front door sill panels with AMG lettering
  • Radio aerial integrated into rear window
  • Rear boot
  • Semi-automatic boot separator
  • V8 Bi-Turbo 4Matic badge on front wings
• Exterior Lights
  • Adaptive brake lights
  • Automatic headlights
  • Full LED tail lamps
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED Indicators
  • LED third brake light
  • Multi beam LED headlights
• Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
  • Airscarf - neck level heating
  • THERMATIC 2 zone automatic climate control
• Interior Features
  • 2 cupholders in front centre console
  • 3 spoke AMG performance flat bottom leather steering wheel in black, heavily embossed central grip area silver chrome and contrast topstitching in red
  • Electric height/reach adjustable steering column
  • Front centre armrest with storage compartment
  • Illuminated glove compartment stowage
  • Leather upholstery
  • Sports pedals with stainless steel surfaces and rubber studs
  • Steering wheel gearshift paddles
  • Steering wheel touch control buttons for audio and onboard settings
• Interior Lights
  • Front LED reading lights
  • Interior lighting - 64 colour Ambient lighting
• Packs
  • Interior lighting package - C Class
  • Memory pack with steering column memory - C Class
  • Mirror package - C Class
  • Seat comfort pack - C Class
  • Stowage space pack - C Class
• Safety
  • 2 rear seatbelts
  • 3 point automatic seatbelts
  • Active bonnet
  • Automatic seatbelt pretensioner for driver and front passenger
  • Dual stage airbags - driver and front passenger, front sidebags, driver kneebag, pelvis bag and windowbags for driver, front and rear passengers
  • ISOFIX child seat attachment points with top tether in rear
  • Red seat belts
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
• Seats
  • 2 rear head restraints
  • 2 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 40:20:40 split folding rear seats
  • Auto Mercedes-Benz child seat recognition sensor
  • Front head restraints
  • Heated front seats
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Sports seats with integrated head restraints
• Security
  • Anti-theft alarm system/interior protection with tow-away protection and interior monitoring systems
  • Central locking with interior switch, automatic locking and crash sensor with emergency opening function
  • Chrome surround electric key
  • Immobiliser
• Transmission
  • 9G Tronic plus 9 speed automatic
  • AMG performance 4MATIC with torque control distribution
• Vanity Mirrors
  • Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
• Wheels - Alloy
  • 18" AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels aerodynamically-optimised, painted in tremolitegrey with a high-sheen finish
• Wheels - Spare
  • TIREFIT with tyre inflation compressor

• Emissions - ICE
  • CO: 0.165
  • HC: 0.017
  • HC+NOx:
  • Noise Level dB(A): 70
  • NOx: 0.02
  • Particles: 0.0001
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 229
• Engine and Drive Train
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Catalytic Convertor: Yes
  • CC: 2,996
  • Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
  • Cylinder Layout: V6
  • Cylinders: 6
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 88
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 82.1
  • Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
  • Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO
  • Gears: 9 SPEED
  • Number of Valves: 24
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
• Fuel Consumption - ICE
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: No
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 10.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 10
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 8.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 16.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 10.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 28
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 28
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 28.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 31.4
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 33.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 17.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 28
• General
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No
  • Badge Engine CC: 3.0
  • Badge Power: 390
  • Based On ID:
  • Coin Description: 4Matic
  • Coin Series: AMG Edition Premium
  • Generation Mark: 4
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 46E
  • Man Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 30
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:
  • NCAP Safety Assist %:
  • Safety Concerns?: No
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12
  • Service Interval Mileage: 12,500
  • Special Edition: No
  • Special Order: No
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999,999
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
• Performance
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): No
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.8
  • Engine Power - BHP: 390
  • Engine Power - KW: 287
  • Engine Power - PS: Yes
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5,500
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 384
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 53
  • Engine Torque - NM: 520
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 2500
  • Top Speed: 155
• Test Cycles
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
• Tyres
  • Alloys?: Yes
  • Space Saver?: No
  • Tyre Size Front: 225/45 R18
  • Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R18
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE
  • Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY
• Vehicle Dimensions
  • Height: 1,405
  • Height (including roof rails):
  • Length: 4,693
  • Wheelbase: 2,840
  • Width: 1810
  • Width (including mirrors): 2,016
• Weight and Capacities
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 66
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,315
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down):
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 360
  • Max. Loading Weight: 430
  • Max. Roof Load:
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1,800
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1,885
  • No. of Seats: 4
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Ten Second Review
Mercedes' C-Class Cabriolet model line-up is topped off by this desirable C 63 high performance V8 variant. Toupees will need to be very well tied-down indeed.

Background
Mercedes' C 63 Cabriolet is the only model in its sector with an 8-cylinder biturbo engine - yes, the one used in the brand's AMG GT supercar. Here, that unit powers the very top version of the C-Class Cabriolet, which goes head to head with rivals like BMW's M4 Convertible. If your recollection of AMG open-topped models is that they go very fast but don't particularly like going round corners, this one will surprise you too.

Driving Experience
On the move, this car is everything you'd want it to be, with aural fireworks and spine-tingling acceleration that flings you up the road with urgent, angry aggression. The SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed auto gearbox's 'RACE START' function makes it easy to replicate Grand Prix-style starts that'll take 4.2s in the standard 476bhp model. Or 4.1s if you go for the uprated C 63 S Cabriolet variant that offers 510bhp and 700Nm of torque, enough to pummel a rival BMW M4 Convertible into submission. Both versions use much the same V8, a twin turbo 4.0-litre engine that's impressively efficient for its size. Top speed is 174mph if you opt for the AMG Driver's Package. A rear limited slip differential is standard and you'll need it to properly get the power down through the bends. Plus C 63 buyers get adaptive suspension too, one of the elements that can be tweaked via an 'AMG DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system that can alter steering feel, throttle response, gearshift timings, stability control thresholds and even the exhaust note via 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Sport+' settings. No matter how you fiddle with these, the ride remains coarse, but the steering's good, the brakes are excellent and the gearshift response is rifleshot-quick. It's an experience to savour.

Design and Build
With its top up, the profile of this two-door cabriolet resembles that of the C 63 Coupe, with virtually identical basic dimensions. That means you get the same striking front end featuring increased track width on the front and rear axles and flared wheel arches. These make the AMG Cabriolet 64mm wider at the front and 66mm wider at the rear compared with the standard Cabriolet, enabling the vehicle to hug the road better. Two striking powerdomes adorn the 60mm longer aluminium bonnet, underscoring the powerful looks. The fully automatic fabric soft top can be opened and closed using a matt chrome curved switch on the centre console. The process takes less than 20seconds up to a speed of up to 31mph. After opening, it folds down quietly and is stored in the soft-top compartment in the boot. Inside, the high-grade materials and build quality are everything you would expect from a Mercedes cabriolet. The sport seats use heat-reflecting leather and feature muscular side bolsters and organically integrated head restraints as well as optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating. Automatic belt extenders as standard help the occupants with buckling up. The rear pews are in the form of individual seats. Their backrests offer a through-loading feature, can be split 50:50 for high everyday practicality and can be completely folded down. This extends boot capacity which is 355-litres - or 260-litres with the roof open.

Market and Model
Think in terms of needing around at least £65,000 for your C 63 Cabriolet, once you've allowed for a few well-chosen extras. And there'll be a premium of around £7,000 if you want the uprated 510bhp 'S' version. This gets an electronic (rather than a mechanical) limited-slip differential, dynamic engine mounts that offer extra cornering feedback, an extra 'Race' mode for the auto gearbox and bigger 19-inch wheels featuring larger brake discs and red callipers. Inside a C 63 S, you'd get grippier AMG Performance seats and an even classier AMG steering wheel that blends DINAMICA microfibre with the standard Nappa leather for a DTM-style feel. Both derivatives are well equipped. We particularly like the sensitive climate control system that adapts itself whether the car is being driven with the roof up or the roof down. A key option you really have to have on this car is the 'Cabriolet Comfort package'. This gives you two key features; the electric AIRCAP draught stop system that reduces the interior turbulence for rear passengers at the press of a button. And the AIRSCARF neck-level heating set-up for the driver and front passenger. Alternatively, there's also the option of a retrofitted manual folding draught stop behind the front seats. This noticeably stops draughts in the front seats.

Cost of Ownership
Even this V8 engine is Euro6-compatible and gets an ECO start/stop function. As a result, it's supposed to be able to achieve as much as 31.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 208g/km, pretty impressive for a car of this performance. So how have the engineers from Affalterbach done it? Well by clever design of the 'M177'-series 4.0-litre V8 biturbo powerplant, developed as part of Mercedes' BlueDIRECT' engine family. The neat element here lies in the fact that the two turbos have been moved from their usual position on the outside of the cylinder banks and placed instead within the cylinder 'V'. That means this Euro6 engine can be smaller, slighter, more responsive and cleaner. More efficient electro-mechanical steering and an engine stop/start system also help. Of course, as a driver, you'll need to do your part here. The quoted figures assume that the SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission is operating in its most relaxed 'Controlled Efficiency' mode that gives you softer gearchanges and a more restrained engine note. At cruising speeds in this setting, a 'Gliding Function' will also be activated that temporarily de-couples the engine from the drivetrain when you lift off the throttle.

Summary
We're sure that there must be very good reasons why you would buy AMG versions of Mercedes models like the SL and the S-Class cabriolet but right here, right now, in considering this C 63 Cabriolet, we can't readily think of them. Yes, the ride on this car is rather over-firm - but that's about it. If you can put up with that, then this model gives you everything you could want in a super-fast open-topped sporting Mercedes. And that makes it a very desirable thing indeed.