Hard Top / Drop Top coming? Carbon Fiber roof!

These are the first spy shots of prototypes for the convertible version of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz C Class, which has already been confirmed by the automaker’s U.S. chief and is expected on the market sometime in 2015, a full year after the launch of the new C Class sedan.

Public road trials of Mercedes’ new C Class sedan have been underway for more than a year, with numerous spy shots and even a spy video already posted on Motor Authority.

However, the C Class convertible, likely to be called a C Class Cabriolet and due as a 2016 model, has only just begun real-world testing.

This prototype is fitted with a lightweight carbon fiber canopy, though this is only a temporary unit designed to hide an automatic folding soft-top roof. Mercedes is likely to forgo a retractable hardtop in favor of the lighter and less expensive soft-top, just as it has with the E Class Cabrio and upcoming S Class Cabrio.

On most of the prototypes, the side mirrors are mounted on the doors, whereas on the sedan these are mounted at the base of the A-pillar.

The C Class Cabrio’s wheelbase is also noticeably shorter than that of the C Class sedan, and currently it looks like its rear section is more rounded and a tad wider.

Finally, a glimpse of the interior reveals a conventional, multi-function steering wheel design.

Wow. Just wow. Nice intelligence work...Mixed on it at the moment.

Meh.

Me too Zeph....but with the right mods....

yeah true.....I doubt that it will be CF. This car is meant to match the E coupe convertible and would be just crazy to have it all CF. However, I can see aftermarket CF tops...Hard top always confuses me in that it goes against my concept of a true convertible.

looks kind of like a 2d hearse probably intentional to cover up the convertible lines

Does anyone else see Darth Vader's helmet?

Really??

Bingo!!!

So a tuned TT = ludicrous speed?