Last year at the New York International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz declared 2015 to be the “year of the SUV”.
This year, Dietmar Exler, recently installed president of Mercedes-Benz North America, opened his presentation by proclaiming 2016 as “certainly the year of the dream car.” He made the statement perhaps 30 minutes after Ford CEO Mark Fields had told a cluster of writers that consumers are increasingly moving out of cars and into SUVs and trucks.
Mercedes is moving ahead on all fronts, not least the AMG sports division. The C63 Carbriolet, a Marshawn Lynch of convertibles with a combination of speed, power and attitude, made its global debut Wednesday.
A ‘halo car’ aimed at a select group of buyers, the Cabriolet completes the C Class lineup as the only car in the segment with an eight-cylinder biturbo engine. Mated with a seven-speed automatic transmission, it produces 469 horsepower, bumping to 503 horsepower in the C63 S – meaning the four-seater can scoot up to 250 km/h, or 280 km/h with an optional package.
Driving modes are comfort, sport and sport-plus. In the S model, a fourth mode is race.
“It’s all about sportiness,” said Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-Benz AMG, pointing to the flared wheel arches and a stance as wide and powerful as a top running back’s. The car also comes with an unique grunt, or rather what Mercedes-Benz more lyrically describes as “an emotive, unmistakable engine sound.”
When can I buy it, and for how much?
Available later this year. Price is unavailable.
Cool quotient
4.5 stars (out of 5)
If inclined to invest presumably six figures, you might consider the C63 Edition 1, which will be made available only in “Cashmere White Magno” exterior colour. A “night package” includes chrome exhaust pipes, black spoiler, Nappa leather-clad performance seats in saddle brown, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.