The Mercedes-Benz C-Class family has grown a lot over the past year, but as we head for the Geneva Motor Show next month, the German automaker shows no signs of slowing.
Ahead of the initial press day on March 1, the brand has popped the top off the 2017 C-Class Cabriolet range, which includes the C300 RWD, C300 4MATIC, and Mercedes-AMG C43. Each variant will touch down in the U.S. this year, with the C300 models arriving in late summer and the AMG following in the fall.
The first cabriolet to be based on a C-Class, the topless C300 is nearly identical to its closed-roof cousin in a mechanical sense, but its folding soft top, Airscarf neck-level heating system, and unique open-air personality set it apart. Only one engine is available until you step up to the AMG variant — a turbocharged 2.0-liter four with 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque — but its nine-speed automatic will zip you up to 60 mph in a respectable 6.3 seconds. The C300 is also available with Airmatic air suspension.
Per usual, a red-hot AMG model adorns the top of the C-Class Cabriolet family. The droptop C43 wears a variety of sporty styling elements that tease its upgraded performance, the most notable of which are the AMG-specific wheels, chrome trim, and unique badging.
Like the C43 Coupe, the convertible equips a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that churns out 362 hp and peak torque of 384 pound-feet, which will push the vehicle to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. That’s just 0.1 seconds slower than the hardtop, by the way. The vehicle’s driving dynamics are tailorable as well, as the AMG Dynamic Select menu can tune suspension stiffness, engine response, steering weight, and transmission shift points to the driver’s liking. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
“The AMG product portfolio will continue to grow rapidly this year, making the world of Driving Performance more diverse than ever,” said Tobias Moers, chief executive of Mercedes-AMG. “Our new product line continues to expand at a fast pace and, with the C43 Cabriolet, we are offering a younger target group yet another alternative to discover the fascinating world of AMG.”
Pricing details are TBD for the C-Class Cabriolet, so for more information, stay tuned to DT Cars as we prep for Geneva.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.