Tuesday 25th August 2015

Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet (nearly) revealed

Elegant S-Class spawns its third model with Cabriolet set to rival Bentley and Rolls-Royce

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Even by the standards of manufacturer 'teaser images', this is fairly odd from Mercedes. What you see here is the new Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet, caught winter testing a little while back and eagerly anticipated by toupee owners the world over.

A better look; not the actual car though

Only it isn't, because what you see more of is an old 280SE. According to Mercedes, the new car will be its first luxury four-seater cabrio since the SE of 1971. Its inclusion is certainly valid then, but why can't we have a proper look at the new one? Please?!

So what does the picture tell us? Well, um, silver paint with red leather will be available. Good. Other than that the sumptuous interior appears to carry over unchanged from the saloon and coupe. From here it looks rather squashed in the back actually, though that could be a trick of the light; let's see when the full image comes out. Worth noting too that the housing for the roof is huge, as you might expect given the size of the car. Finally, those large black sections in the seat that look like screens are ventilation fans, to ensure optimum temperature for those privileged enough to travel in the back of an S-Class Cabriolet.

Mercedes has also released a design sketch of the car, revealing it to look very similar to the Coupe from the rear. Again, no great surprises. On smaller wheels this surely be very similar to the production car.

As for the engines, a line up mirroring the coupe would seem most likely. This would mean an S500 V8 with two AMG models, the S63 and twin-turbo V12 S65. Will a diesel or a hybrid ever be seen in an S-Class Cabriolet?

At present there isn't an official launch date from Mercedes, or indeed confirmation of its appearance at a motor show any time soon. Perhaps one for LA in November? California will surely prove a very popular environment for the S-Class Cabriolet. In white, presumably. More info as it's available!

[Bencolem]

So I'm guessing the rear end crop is Mercedes tacit acknowledgement that the Renault Laguna inspired rear end is gopping?

Do think it will be mega otherwise though!

[X5TUU]

looking at the distance between the door jam and the back rest of the rear seats, they could actually be quite spacious ... that doesnt mean it will be any easier to get in and out of without looking like a newly born giraffe on ice wearing rollerskates.

wonder what astronomical price tag it will have

[CS Garth]

What about W124 series Cab? I'd called that a lux 4 seater, I imagine the people who forked out near 50k for it in 1995 might was well.

[ILoveMondeo]

Convertible luxo barges is a pretty slim niche, no?

Off the top of my noggin I've got Bentley and, even... That's it.... In the same segment!

I'm sure it'll be absolutely lovely and bonkers expensive too!

Really must get an s class at some point... Off to the bargain barge thread....

[kambites]

ILoveMondeo said:

Convertible luxo barges is a pretty slim niche, no?

Off the top of my noggin I've got Bentley and, even... That's it.... In the same segment!

Rolls Royce do a convertible Phantom too.

[Erwin1978]

can't wait for the Maybach version, shirley the ultimate plutocrat express

[E65Ross]

CS Garth said:

What about W124 series Cab? I'd called that a lux 4 seater, I imagine the people who forked out near 50k for it in 1995 might was well.

That's the next level down, that's E class, not S class. This would be like a convertible 2 door W140 rather than a W124.

[anonymous-user]

Coming (very) soon to a "Bargain Barge £5k - £20k" thread near you.

[GranCab]

I think I'd rather be seen in this ...

[ClaphamGT3]

Nothing new under the sun - the Dutch Royal Family have had this little baby for thirty years

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https://s-me...

[ILoveMondeo]

kambites said:

Rolls Royce do a convertible Phantom too.

That they do, nice to have all those millions and such a wide choice for your luxo barge drop head/cabrio/vertible



Interesting comment about coming soon to bargain barge thread, I wonder how soon! 5 years? Maybe a bit more?

[anonymous-user]

ILoveMondeo said:

That they do, nice to have all those millions and such a wide choice for your luxo barge drop head/cabrio/vertible



Interesting comment about coming soon to bargain barge thread, I wonder how soon! 5 years? Maybe a bit more?

A normal S-Class seems to be down to 20K within 5 years, I think this will probably hold it's value a little bit better but it won't be ever such a long time before there is one with chrome wheels and a vinyl wrap pulling up outside your local cash and carry.