Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet unveiled

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division has revealed its C 63 Cabriolet at the New York motor show. The four-seat soft-top will go on sale in October, starting from around £66,000.

Read our Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet review here

Unveiled alongside a host of new Mercedes models at the show, including the GLC Coupé, the C 63 Cabriolet will be sold with two different power outputs, echoing the C 63 Coupé launched last year.

In C 63 Cabriolet form, its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine kicks out 469bhp and 479lb ft of torque. In a more highly tuned C 63 S Cabriolet form, it produces 503bhp and 516lb ft.

Drive is channelled through AMG’s seven-speed Speedshift automatic gearbox (with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles) to the rear wheels. The regular model uses a mechanical locking differential, while the C 63 S benefits from an electronic locking differential.

Speeds of 174mph possible

According to Mercedes-AMG, the 1910kg C 63 Cabriolet and 1925kg C 63 S Cabriolet are capable of reaching 62mph from standstill in 4.2sec and 4.1sec respectively. Both are limited to a top speed of 155mph, although this can be extended to 174mph with an optional Driver’s Package that includes revised engine management software.

Despite their differing outputs, both models are claimed to possess combined fuel economy of 31.7mpg, giving it average CO2 emissions of 208g/km. 

The C 63 Cabriolet is underpinned by a retuned version of the four-link front and multi-link rear suspension already used by the C 63 Coupé. On the C 63, standard 18in wheels are shod with 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tyres, while the C 63 S gets 19in wheels with 255/35 and 285/30 rubber. Both models boast variable damping control across three modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.

Also included is AMG’s so-called Drive Select system. It provides the choice between four differing driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Race. A variable electomechanical steering system also allows the driver to alter its characteristics in Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes.

Styling echoes that of C 63 Coupé

The C 63 Cabriolet largely shares its styling with the C 63 Coupé. Included is a bespoke front bumper with large air ducts and integrated splitter element, as well as a new aluminium bonnet that is 60mm longer than that used by standard C-Class Cabriolet models. The front and rear wings have also been widened by 64mm and 60mm respectively compared with less powerful siblings, in line with modifications to the new car’s front and rear track measurements. There are also wider sills underneath the doors and a newly designed rear bumper housing signature quad exhausts pipes.

As with its less powerful siblings, the C 63 Cabriolet receives a fully automatic fabric roof that can be opened and closed at the push of a button at speeds of up to 31mph. With the roof in place, the AMG model offers 355 litres of boot space. This shrinks to 270 litres when the multi-layer structure is stowed away underneath a tonneau cover in a dedicated space in the front section of the boot.