The full-blown Mercedes-AMG version of the new C-Class convertible had its world debut at the New York Auto Show
The C 43 Cabriolet may have debuted first (at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show), but if you're after the fastest C-Class Cabriolet around, the C 63 is the one to have. Aimed at open-top driving enthusiasts who want as much power as they can get, the new C 63 Cabriolet combines a fabric roof with the AMG V8 biturbo engine available in two power outputs – 476 PS (469 hp) in the standard model and 510 PS (503 hp) in the C 63 S Cabriolet.
The souped-up C-Class convertible sports all Mercedes-AMG's known design tricks, including flared wheel arches at the front and rear, a wider track, and large wheels. The model also packs performance parts such as the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, a rear-axle limited-slip differential, and dynamic engine mounts.
Billed as the only vehicle in the segment equipped with an eight-cylinder biturbo engine, the C 63 Cabriolet delivers performance figures worthy of a supercar. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds (4.2 seconds for the C 63 S Cabriolet) and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – 280 km/h (174 mph) with the AMG Driver's Package.
The 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, well-known from the C 63 Saloon, Estate and Coupé, is mated to the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission with shift paddles. The C 63 Cabriolet has a 25 mm wider track than the Saloon and Estate and comes with a mechanical rear-axle limited-slip differential (on the C 63 Cabriolet) and electronic LSD (on the C 63 S Cabriolet). According to Mercedes-AMG, the electronic limited-slip differential is more sensitive and provides faster control on the limit.
Other performance-enhancing features include the electromechanical, speed-sensitive sports steering system, as well as high-performance brakes with large cross-drilled, and vented brake discs measuring up to 390 mm in diameter at the front and rear.
Despite all these performance capabilities, the C 63 Cabriolet remains a comfortable convertible at heart, thanks to its fabric acoustic soft top that opens or closes at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph), the automatic AIRCAP drought-stop system or the optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating. The C 63 Cabriolet is also one of the most practical convertibles in its class, with a luggage compartment that measures 355 liters (260 liters with the roof open).
The Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet will arrive in August 2016 in Europe and shortly after that in the United States.