Mercedes-Benz offer two more options for open-top motoring pleasure.
Open roads, wind in your hair while cruising along the open stretches is a dream that most people have. If you need to feel luxurious while you are at it then Mercedes-Benz may have the answer for you. The German manufacturer has launched two Cabriolet models in India: the C 300 and the S 500.
The C 300 Cabriolet is the most affordable cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz yet. It is very attractively priced at Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom), making it an attainable luxury for a larger audience. The C 300 will be very special to the Indian audience because it is the first two-door C Class in our market. It comes equipped with the Aircap automatic draught stop system and the Airscarf neck-level heating to ensure that open-top motoring is always a rewarding experience regardless of the ambient weather. This car has been styled trying to bring together modern luxury in a youthful package. This car comes with Airmatic suspension system as an option. Its electronically controlled, continuously adjustable suspension makes sure there is low road roar and tyre vibrations in almost every situation.
Powering the C 300 is the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine also seen in the GLC 300. Peak output is 245 PS at 5,500 rpm and 370 Nm peaking between 1,300 and 5,000 rpm. The output goes through to the rear wheels via the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. The C 300 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.4 seconds.
Being a Cabriolet, there are usually questions about it’s rigidity. The C-Class Coupé’s intelligent lightweight construction has been retained and additionally, components like the wings, bonnet and boot-lid have been replaced by a light alloy. The car comes packed with safety features like Attention Assist, which has adjustable sensitivity used to inform the driver of drowsiness or inattentiveness on the road. Collision Prevention Assist Plus comes as a standard. When a collision is imminent and there is no response from the driver, autonomous braking is available up to 200 km/h. The roll-over protection system is specific to the Cabriolet. It consists of two cartridges that are fully retracted behind the rear seats and therefore invisible. If a roll-over is imminent, these cartridges are pyrotechnically fired, whereupon they shoot out to provide a survival space together with the A-pillar.
The C-Class Cabriolet will lock horns with the A3 Cabriolet and MINI Cooper Convertible for now, with its sportier two-door sibling, the AMG SLC 43 taking the fight to the Porsche 718 Boxster.
The last time anyone saw a two-door four-seater luxury cabriolet in the S-Class family, was back in 1971. The launch of the S 500 Cabriolet adds to the S-Class family. The car does not compromise on safety as it has the standard roll-over protection system behind the rear head-restraints that are pyro-technically actuated. The roll bars themselves are moved into position by a gas generator.
By achieving a coefficient of drag (cd) value of 0.29, Mercedes-Benz have set a new benchmark in this segment. The S 500 is fully automated when it comes to climate control functions, with or without the top down. The success of which is owed to technology like Aircap and Airscarf. The air-conditioning is networked to various components throughout the car, thus ensuring a perfect temperatures within the car at all times. As options, you can choose from a variety of features like Warmth Comfort package which maintains cosier conditions and Air Balance which ionises the air and provides the fragrance in addition to cleaning the air by using a charcoal filter. There is a new fragrance available exclusively for the cabriolet called the Pacific Mood.
The S 500 Cabriolet is powered by the 4.7-litre BiTurbo V8 making 455 PS at 5,250 rpm and 700 Nm at 1,800 to 3,500 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through the 9G-Tronic nine-speed auto ‘box. The S 500 can dismiss the 0-100 km/h dash in a claimed 4.6 seconds, even with its 2.1-tonne body weight. What it also does very well is stack up as a fantastic alternative to the Maserati GranCabrio and the Bentley Continental GTC.
