Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet

Core summary

The A205 C 63 Cabriolet is a rear-drive V8. Keep it separate from the C 63 S and the later four-cylinder hybrid saloon.

The A205 C 63 Cabriolet combines a four-litre twin-turbo V8, rear-wheel drive and a fabric roof. That identity is important now that the C 63 name also appears on a very different later hybrid saloon. This convertible is not that car.

Cariary considers the V8 the main reason to choose it. A buyer interested only in the styling can find less mechanically ambitious alternatives; the C 63 makes sense when its particular engine and drivetrain are part of the attraction.

History & generations

The AMG A205 Cabriolet was introduced in 2016. The 2018 update changed details including the transmission, so a pre-facelift and facelift car should not be described with one undifferentiated specification.

The standard C 63 and higher-output C 63 S also need to remain separate. A registration listing, replacement badge or generic AMG advertisement is not enough to establish which variant is being sold.

Body, platform & design

The gallery shows the A205's soft roof and AMG bodywork, including a rear view carrying a C 63 badge without an S. Grille styling can be modified, so use documentation to confirm model year rather than the grille alone.

Inspect the lower bodywork and wheels for damage. A low performance convertible can look immaculate in carefully chosen photographs while hiding wear underneath.

Engine & drivetrain

The standard C 63 launch specification is 350 kW/476 PS and 650 Nm from a four-litre twin-turbo V8. The S is a separate 375 kW/510 PS, 700 Nm variant. Early cars use a seven-speed AMG MCT transmission; the 2018 update introduced the nine-speed MCT.

Both the identity and transmission matter when researching servicing or driving impressions. Do not attach later four-cylinder plug-in hybrid specifications to this A205 page.

Trim differences

Confirm C 63 versus C 63 S from the vehicle record, not the appearance of a wheel or brake caliper. Equipment and cosmetic changes can obscure the distinction.

Ask about exhaust, suspension and software modifications. Receipts and a specialist inspection are more useful than an assurance that an altered car is 'basically standard'.

Interior & seating

The cabin provides four seats, but rear access remains a coupe-style exercise through the front doors. Try the seats with real passengers and check the roof's effect on headroom.

Performance seats, comfort functions and infotainment equipment vary. A supportive seat in a photograph is not necessarily the right seat for your body on a long journey.

Efficiency & range

This is a V8 petrol convertible, not a low-cost route into the Mercedes badge. Fuel is only one part of the operating budget; tyres, brakes and specialist servicing need explicit allowance.

Compare quotations for the actual wheel and brake setup. A cheap purchase with worn consumables can cost more to put right than a more expensive, properly maintained example.

Safety & equipment

Rear-wheel drive and substantial torque place particular importance on tyre condition and appropriate use. Electronic stability systems do not make unsuitable tyres or poor road conditions irrelevant.

Check recall records and have restraint, roof or powertrain warnings investigated. Avoid buying on the basis of a dramatic demonstration that reveals little about the car's maintenance.

Strengths

The C 63 offers a distinctive V8 open-top proposition in a smaller body than the S-Class Cabriolet. Its appeal does not depend on pretending it is a lightweight roadster.

For an owner who values the engine and accepts the associated costs, the standard C 63 can be a deliberate choice rather than an unsuccessful search for an S.

Considerations

Check roof fabric, seals, glass alignment and the entire opening cycle. Inspect service records for consistent upkeep and ask a specialist to assess modifications, leaks and drivetrain behaviour.

Do not assume low mileage means gentle use, or that high mileage alone means poor condition. Evidence of maintenance and the present condition should drive the decision.

Recommended use

Best as a personal performance car for open-air trips with occasional rear passengers. It is less suited to someone seeking the most economical daily transport or frequent easy access for four adults.

A test drive should include ordinary speeds and imperfect roads. That establishes whether the car remains enjoyable when the V8 is not being used dramatically.

Rivals & related

The BMW M4 Convertible is a relevant performance alternative, with important generation-specific roof and drivetrain differences. Compare like-for-like model years rather than a single headline output.

The E 53 Cabriolet supplies an inline-six and variable all-wheel drive in a different package. The choice is about the kind of powertrain and touring experience wanted, not merely which badge has the larger number.

FAQ

Is this the new hybrid C 63? No, this is the A205 V8 Cabriolet.

Does every car have nine gears? No; early versions have seven-speed MCT, facelift versions nine-speed MCT.

Is the standard car 510 PS? No. The launch standard C 63 is 476 PS; 510 PS refers to the S.

Is it all-wheel drive? This A205 C 63 Cabriolet is rear-wheel drive.

Sources & updates

Manufacturer publications linked below provide the dated model and technical references. The buying assessments are Cariary editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test. Photographs are independently credited, with early and facelift appearances identified where relevant. Equipment and homologated figures must be checked against the individual vehicle’s market and model year.

• Mercedes-AMG — C 63 Cabriolet launch →
• Mercedes-AMG — 2018 C 63 update →
• Photograph — Grey A205 Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet with red fabric roof →Alexandre Prevot from Nancy, France; CC BY-SA 2.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.