Merc shows off rag-top cruiser
Detroit to see high-end concept car
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At the auto show in Detroit next month, Mercedes-Benz is presenting its Concept Ocean Drive four-door convertible -- a boulevard cruiser.
The study is a one-off creation which revives the company's tradition of large luxury convertibles. Not having to work to a design brief or production specifications left the designers free to get on with the job of developing the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible.
Based on the S600, the Concept Ocean Drive is described as "an awe inspiring jewel on wheels...that belongs in a luxury genre that has almost disappeared from our roads." Describing the thinking that went into it, Merc used words such as elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness.
According to Mercedes, the Concept Ocean Drive isn't just designed to inspire dreams and fantasies; it also serves a practical purpose: to allow designers to play around with less familiar themes, to see things from new angles and to explore new ideas. It's a way of "stimulating a closer dialogue with customers and of trying out new ideas on the general public. This helps the designers get a feel for future styling trends and to develop and implement new design idioms," according to the company.
The outward distinguishing marks of the concept car include a very large and upright radiator grille, LED headlamps and taillights, two-tone paintwork and a striking interplay between taut lines and large, restful surfaces.
It's pillar-less and uses high-value materials such as leather, 3D-effect materials and large bird's eye maple trim panels in the interior and the soft-top compartment cover.
Technical highlights include:
- the innovative soft-top mechanism resulting in smooth operation and fast closing times;
- the Airscarf neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats, allowing occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year.
Plus there's all the safety gubbins that Mercedes adds to all its top-end variants, including Brake Assist PLUS, PRE-SAFE brake system (in combination with radar-based DIS-TRONIC PLUS) and the anticipatory occupant protection system.
(un)fortunately...or whatever your perspective...MB have been waiting to get back into the market vacated by the old E-class rag top...expect a decision soon, plus the obligatory AMG version (V12 twin turbo circa 700bhp!!!)?
that is so 
ing horrible i want to cry
It will probably have those clear polycarbonate wheels or something equally ridiculous like that by then though.
That grille is as per old Mercedes (big, upright and "in yer face"
and its about time Mercedes went back to making big luxrious convertibles - 280SE 3.5 anyone? People have said it will be wobbly - probably - but the point of something like this wouldn't be a sporting drive. It would be made to eat up thousands of miles in absoulte luxury!
Darren
Come on DB; stop trying to sell the Americans what you think they want. Start leading design not just turning out more lookalikes.
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