Friday 13th March 2015

Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet spied

Require a new boulevard cruiser? Mercedes may have just the thing

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There have already been quite a few S-Class derivatives from Mercedes, from hybrid saloon to V12 uber coupe and the Maybach too. This year the Cabriolet will join the range to bolster the S-Class range to four.

"Two Big Mac meals please mate"

Here the latest batch of spy images show a prototype not too far away from the finished article. Clearly a lot of the styling is inspired by the coupe but the rear is still disguised, implying a slightly different boot design for this car. The roof is clearly fabric because, well, would you want to add more weight to an S-Class?

It seems likely the Cabriolet will use a similar range of engines to the Coupe, hopefully including the V8 S63 and V12 S65. Expect too the usual range of Mercedes cabrio features including the Aircap wind deflector to keep the toupee in one piece and Airscarf to keep... actually it's hard to be cynical about that one, it's really nice.

The obvious rival for the S-Class Cabriolet will be the Bentley Continental GTC, both promising the ultimate in open-air luxury and performance. Don't forget the Maserati GranCabrio as well, providing perhaps a slightly sportier alternative than the other two.

September's Frankfurt show seems like the most obvious place to launch the S-Class Cabriolet. More details as they're available!

[Pictures: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[mrclav]

Am I right in thinking this will be the biggest soft-top on the market when it goes on sale? Even if it is, I'm sure it's going to be a lovely place to spend time in...

[Qussz]

I'd feel like JFK in it.

[exceed]

You can't compare this to the GranCabrio.

This is leagues ahead in terms of equipment, tech, comfort.

Failing on the noise, but they are on two completely different levels in terms of comfort and quality.

[joebongo]

4 door and I'd be interested.

[Audicab]

joebongo said:

4 door and I'd be interested.

Has there ever been a 4 door cabriolet?, I can't think of one.

[soad]

Fabric roof?

Does this really look this strikingly different to the E-Class? I think not. A real shame.

[Krikkit]

joebongo said:

4 door and I'd be interested.

Why would you possibly want a 4-door cabrio? Awful.

[wemorgan]

Krikkit said:

Why would you possibly want a 4-door cabrio? Awful.

one or two shockers here:

http://newportconvertible.com/range-rover-converti...

[shakotan]

Audicab said:

joebongo said:

4 door and I'd be interested.

Has there ever been a 4 door cabriolet?, I can't think of one.

[Haggleburyfinius]

That's a man's cabriolet.

Most of Merc's soft top efforts are very girly.

I like it.

[wergus]

mrclav said:

Am I right in thinking this will be the biggest soft-top on the market when it goes on sale? Even if it is, I'm sure it's going to be a lovely place to spend time in...

RR Drophead?

[lasvegas1966]

there's been a bunch of 4 door cabs, thought this was a petrolhead site, oh, i see, well, isn't pistonhead the same thing?

[RobinMostyn]

Like this post-war Mercedes 300D "Adenauer" 4 door cabriolet?

[anonymous-user]

That's going to be great. I can't help but think the amount of bracing to make it acceptably stiff is going to make it an extremely heavy beast.

[matfitzpatrick]

wemorgan said:

one or two shockers here:

http://newportconvertible.com/range-rover-converti...

I am sure there is a good reason why such a thing has never been produced by Range Rover. My guess is because its possibly the most vile creation imaginable and they'd sell about 3 of them globally... maybe it has a different appeal when 'cruising' down Hollywood Boulevard or somewhere similar?

[dvs_dave]

mrclav said:

Am I right in thinking this will be the biggest soft-top on the market when it goes on sale? Even if it is, I'm sure it's going to be a lovely place to spend time in...

I reckon the Rolls Royce Phantom Drop Head has it beat

[DeolTheBeast]

Literally looks like a boat.

[daytona365]

Don't fabric tops still let in a lot of unwanted noise ? Ok on a macho, overtly sporting car, or a much cheaper car. But something like this ? Or have they improved a lot recently ?

[mrclav]

dvs_dave said:

mrclav said:

Am I right in thinking this will be the biggest soft-top on the market when it goes on sale? Even if it is, I'm sure it's going to be a lovely place to spend time in...

I reckon the Rolls Royce Phantom Drop Head has it beat

You're right and I completely forget about that beast of a car!

Interestingly, whilst the Rolls is way longer and higher (18' 6" vs 16' 6" length/5' 2" vs 4' 7" height) the Merc's width is preposterous at 6' 11" vs 6' 6" for the Rolls...

[osgood9]