Mercedes-Benz just unveiled its latest AMG variant of its C Class model line, the Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabrio, at the 2016 New York Auto Show. This come immediately following Stuttgart’s attempt to tackle the BMW X4 crossover with its GLC Class, so Mercedes is launching a full-scale attack on BMW.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabrio is exactly as you’d expect it to be, a convertible version of the brand’s AMG C63. This means that its powertrain and drivetrain remain the same and use the 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8, seven-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive setup as its sedan and coupe counterparts.
Power also remains the same, with either 476 hp or 510 in the C63 S. Performance for the AMG C63 Cabrio is just a touch slower than the coupe or sedan, taking 4.2 or 4.1 seconds to get from 0-60 mph, depending on the engine variant. This is in comparison to the BMW M4 Convertible which comes with a 425 hp 3.0 liter twin-turbo I6 that allows it to get from 06- in 4.3 seconds with the DCT gearbox or 4.6 with a manual.
The big change for the Merc is obviously the body, as it now has an incredibly large sunroof. The drop-top variant of the C63 AMG looks pretty good and is an attractive car from most angles. At nearly every angle, the C63 Cabrio looks very good until you get to the rear or rear three-quarters of the car and then the rear end just doesn’t seem to make sense. It almost looks as if it’s melting off of the rest of the car and it’s very droopy. It just isn’t an attractive rump. The M4 Convertible looks much better from behind, at least to these eyes. The rest of the C63 AMG lineup, both coupe and sedan, have much better looking rear ends. This Cabrio variant’s, though, does not look very good.
Both cars are very fun to drive in their coupe variants, with very different driving styles. We already know that the drop-top M4 is very good to drive, but we obviously haven’t tested the AMG C63 Cabrio yet so we’ll withhold judgement on that until we do get behind the wheel. However, there is something excited about a rear-wheel drive convertible with a twin-turbo V8. That does sound very enticing and like the M4 Convertible now has some serious competition.
[Source: BimmerToday]
