Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet nears production readiness

Mercedes-Benz has lifted some camouflage off the C-Class Cabriolet, the vehicle that will finally give the German manufacturer a dedicated challenger to the BMW 4 Series Convertible and Audi A5 Convertible.

As has been reported already, there's a folding canvas roof below that camouflaged faux hardtop. We'll admit, we do find it somewhat surprising that Mercedes isn't going with a folding metal roof, like competitor BMW. Aside from that detail, expect the C-Class Cab's sheetmetal to be nearly identical to its four-door counterpart below the beltline.

As for when we can expect this new model to arrive, there's no clear date, although it does look remarkably production ready. If it doesn't debut earlier, we'd expect to see the new C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October. As for where it will be built, don't expect either two-door C-Class to head to Alabama. For reasons unclear, Mercedes will likely opt to keep production of both the coming Coupe and Cabriolet in Germany.

Keep an eye open for more on the new C-Class Cabriolet in the coming weeks and months, and in the meantime, check out the spy shots above.