Newport Convertible Engineering offers Mercedes CL convertible conversion

Mercedes Benz has hinted at the development of a convertible version of its CL flagship as far back as 2007 but still today there is no such model in the automaker’s lineup. Customers tired of waiting can still purchase a CL Cabrio thanks to the guys at California’s Newport Convertible Engineering, which offers a customized CL with its steel roof replaced by an automated folding soft-top.

Making a convertible out of a hardtop involves much more than chopping off the steel roof and designing a folding mechanism for the cloth top. Removing the steel top robs a car of a tremendous amount of structural rigidity that must be restored before the resulting soft-top can be deemed drivable. Every convertible built by the Californian coachbuilder includes significant structural upgrades to ensure the cars are equal to factory-built convertibles in terms of rigidity and roadworthiness.

Admittedly, the custom CL Cabrio looks rather stylish and would no doubt stand out from the crowd in any suburban district. Pricing for standard two-door convertible conversions typically range from $10,000 to $15,000, however, some projects Newport Convertible Engineering has worked on has run up into the six figure sums. Some of the other extreme convertible makeovers offered by Newport Convertible Engineering include a Maybach 57 four-door convertible, and drop-top versions of the Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Prius.

- Californian coachbuilder offers Mercedes CL convertible conversion - [Newport Convertible Engineering Mercedes Benz CL Cabrio] - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

Looks nice...I do hope that Merc makes an S-Class cabrio or a CL-Class cabrio.

Ocean Drive Concept.

The chrome on the A-pillar looks goofy, the logo on the side has to go. And the integration of the softtop is not necessarily well-done (no cover, very protruding when opened).

I'd like to see it closed!

Good idea though, and it looks good overall!

That is a horrible "conversion". The top stack alone makes it junk.

M

At first I thought it was a quality conversion but the more pictures I see the more repulsed I am. It's not so much the workmanship job but the final overall appearance of the car. The CL just doesn't look right as a convertible. It just doesn't.

Looks outstanding as a Convertible...I still highly doubt MB will ever produce one. That would be too close to the SL.