Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its all-new S-Class Cabriolet, a drop-top that marks Mercedes’ first flagship four-seater convertible since 1971.
The S-Class Cabriolet is largely based on the S-Class Coupe, sharing 60 percent of its body structure with its fixed-top counterpart. Obviously the roof structure is the biggest deviation — in place of the Coupe’s metal hardtop the Cabriolet uses a cloth soft top. The Cabriolet’s roof will be available for order in black, dark blue, beige and dark red. The transformation from closed to open roof, which can be done at speeds up to 37mph, takes about 20 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz.
In order to save weight, Mercedes designed the S-Class Cabriolet with an aluminum rear floor structure. As a result, the convertible weighs roughly the same as the S-Class Coupe.
The S-Class Cabriolet promises a comfortable ride even with the top down thanks to Mercedes’ AIRCAP wind protection system and the company’s innovative AIRSCARF neck-level heating system. For those colder days, the S-Class Cab can be ordered with heated armrest in addition to its standard heated seats.
The S-Class Cabriolet will also ship with Mercedes’ new THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system. Intended as a set-it-and-forget-it system, THERMOTRONIC uses not only the ambient temperature to select just the right interior temperature, but also takes into account things like humidity and solar radiation levels. Mercedes says the tech will eventually spread to its other convertible models.
The S-Class Cabriolet will be offered in two different trims — S550 and S63 AMG 4MATIC.
The S550 will use a 449 horsepower, 516 lb-ft of torque version of Mercedes’ 4.7L biturbo V8. The S550 will be capable of accelerating from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
The step-up S63 will use a 5.5L biturbo V8 sourced from AMG. It’ll be good for 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds.
“After 44 years we are once again able to offer Mercedes aficionados an open-top car in the S-Class,” said Ola Källenius, Board Member of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales. “The new S-Class Cabriolet symbolizes our passion for individual and timelessly exclusive mobility, which we share with our customers.”
Both the S550 Cabriolet and S63 4MATIC Cabriolet will go on sale during Spring 2016. Pricing will be announced closer to that market launch.
Live images by Ronan Glon.
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