Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Cabrio updated

NOTHING is as much of a statement as a convertible or coupe sports car, and now C-Class fans can get their hands on updated examples from Mercedes-Benz.

Available in the same four flavours as before; C200, C200 4MATIC, C200d and AMG C43 4MATIC, the coupe and cabriolet bodystyles follow on from the recently facelifted C-Class sedans and wagons, and will go on sale locally in August.

The entry-level C200 comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder with 135kW and 280Nm. Acceleration and economy are helped by a 48v mild hybrid system called EQ Boost that adds an extra 10kW and 160Nm into the mix, and doubles as a regenerative braking system to charge the battery. The C200 is also available in an all-wheel drive variant that retains the same powertrain, but is slightly slower to with the added weight of its all-wheel-drive system.

The C200d is a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel four-cylinder variant, with 143kW and 400Nm at the rear wheels that, despite a lower displacement than its 2.1-litre predecessor, offers an extra 18kW.

The AMG C43 4MATIC is the mid-tier AMG variant of the C-Class range, beneath the C63, and comes with a twin-turbo, 3.0-litre V6 with 287kW and 520Nm that permanently drives all-four-wheels and is good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds and top speed of 250km/h.

All exteriors see updated front and rear styling and an extension of the chrome trimmings on the body. The LED headlights house ‘Multibeam’ technology; meaning they can shutdown isolated segments of the headlight so as not to blind oncoming motorists, and all variants come with Mercedes’ ‘Dynamic Body Control’ system that gives drivers a range of driving modes to choose from.

All cars come with Keyless-Go for handsfree entry and start. An option is available to remotely lower the roof in the cabriolet variant using Near Field Communication technology that essentially turns a compatible smartphone into a car key.

Prices for the updated models are yet to be confirmed. Pricing for the existing cars starts at $61,900 for the C200 and goes on to $102,611 for the AMG C43 variant. Retail costs are expected to be thereabouts when the new vehicles arrive in the latter half of 2018.