Development work on the first ever drop top version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class series is moving ahead with Stuttgart testing prototypes wearing production bodies.

Expected to go on sale next year, the C-Class Convertible shares its styling and proportions with the upcoming C-Class Coupe, with both models sourcing their underpinnings and mechanical hardware from the W205 C-Class sedan.

The design of the C-Class Coupe and Convertible also share a clear family resemblance with the larger and more luxurious S-Class Coupe, especially in the profile and rear end.

The convertible C-Class gets a traditional folding fabric roof that tucks away under a lid positioned between the passenger compartment and the boot. It will seat four passengers in the interior that will be largely carried over from the sedan and estate models of the series adding a few special features like the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system on the seats.

Under the hood, you’ll find a similar mix of four, six and eight cylinder gasoline and four-cylinder diesel engines as the C-Class sedan and Estate, including  a 362hp V6 turbocharged petrol for the C450 AMG, and a 476PS (470hp) 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 for the C63 AMG. German sources also mention a C350e plug-in hybrid variant, though, it’s not clear at this point if the petrol-electric powertrain will be offered on both the coupe and cabriolet.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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