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The Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet range comes in all sizes. In fact, no other manufacturer offers quite so much choice. Options extend from the smart fortwo cabrio and the SLC to the E-Class and S-Class Cabriolets. Last year alone saw the release of new SL and SLC roadsters and the C-Class and S-Class Cabriolets. This has continued into 2017, most prominently with the arrival of a formidable Mercedes-AMG trio – the AMG GT roadster, the AMG GT R and the AMG GT C. As we enter the height of Cabriolet season once again, the lure of top-down driving becomes ever more evident. It is now that the visceral experience exclusive to open-air driving is at its height. Whether during the day or the night, the opportunity to have a clear view of the sky creates an unparalleled romanticism. [caption id="attachment_18137" align="alignnone" width="500"] The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet[/caption] The freedom of infinite headroom opens up a new world of sights, sounds and smells unobtainable from other model types. The desire for this means of travel unsurprisingly pre-exists the emergence of the motorcar. The word ‘cabriolet’ first referred to horse drawn carriages with a retractable roof, popular in the 19^th century. We have all experienced the dread of getting into a car that has been sat in the sun all day and having to wait for the air conditioning to kick in. Not with a Cabriolet! Instead, you can feel the breeze wafting through your hair and can absorb every last second of that long-awaited sunshine. Another draw of the Cabriolet is its naturally sportier aesthetic. The focus of a Cabriolet will always be on sheer driving pleasure and this resonates in their outward appearance. [caption id="attachment_18142" align="alignnone" width="500"] The Mercedes-AMG GT C[/caption] Although they are undeniably built for warmer weather, Mercedes-Benz Cabriolets undergo stringent tests to ensure functionality through all seasons. These include opening and closing the soft-top in temperatures ranging from -15˚C to +80˚C. To account for our frequent changes in weather, our drop-tops can close quickly while on the move. It takes just 12 seconds for the smart fortwo cabrio to close and this can be completed up to 90mph. For the larger S-Class Cabriolet, it takes just 20 seconds to close the roof and this can be done at speeds up to 30mph. While being more aware of light, air, and your whole outside environment while driving can be argued to be a benefit limited only to certain journeys and at certain times of year. Not on the motorway in the depths of winter, for example. Modern technologies have sought to ensure that Cabriolets can be enjoyed all year round, no matter of the destination. [caption id="attachment_18140" align="alignnone" width="500"] The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet[/caption] The AIRSCARF neck level heating system, for example, makes open-top motoring a pleasure even in low temperatures. AIRCAP, the automatic wind deflector, similarly allows draught-free open-top motoring at the push of a button – including for rear-seat passengers. Furthermore, multi-layered acoustic tops ensure exterior noise is kept to a minimum. Therefore, while Cabriolet models were once perceived to only come into their own while temperatures soared, modern versions happily accommodate a superior driving experience no matter what the forecast predicts. Visit our model page to find out more about Mercedes-Benz Cabriolets.