Photo: Mercedes-Benz
2015 has continued Mercedes-Benz's recently launched onslaught of new models and they appear to end the year with style by releasing the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet.
It's been 44 years since Mercedes-Benz last offered a luxury class open top vehicle, but that drought seems to be ending right here and right now - well, more like early next year, actually.
Mercedes is planning on presenting the new Cabriolet at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales opening up in December 2015. However, actual deliveries won't start until early spring 2016, so whoever's up for some Benz open-airness will have to wait a few months. Come to think of it, that isn't such a bad thing for those of us living in the Northern hemisphere, since we're about to go through winter here. Oh, Mercedes-Benz, you're so considerate.
We've covered the new S-Class Cabriolet before and we've pretty much touched on the most important points, but Mercedes-Benz has now released a full set of information, so let's mark the main talking points.
The car is more rigid and has a low curb weight thanks to the use of some lightweight materials like aluminium and magnesium. The rollover protection system behind the rear head restraints has a pyrotechnic initiation of the actuators for quicker deployment. Climate control - which includes AIRCAP and AIRSCARF systems - is completely automatic and requires no further input from the driver even if the car goes open or closed top.
The new S-Class Cabriolet has a Cd of 0.29, setting new aerodynamic standards in its - admittedly rarefied - class. This impacts both dynamic performances and fuel consumption, but wind noise as well. In fact, in similar style to its related sibling, the S-Class Coupe, which is the series car with the quietest interior experience, the Cabriolet offers very good levels of sound insulation: a three-layer acoustic soft top comes as standard.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet drivers and passengers will also feel the wonderful AIRMATIC suspension at work (or rather they won't) which comes as standard on the new model. The semi-active suspension system can be set up for either a sporty or a more comfortable experience.
The only Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet available at launch is the S500 model which uses a 4,663 cc V8 engine good for 455 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). It comes with a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic gearbox ideal for fuel efficiency as well as dynamism.
Also available from launch will be the Affalterbach version of the S-Class Cabriolet. The Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet is the first of its kind in all the 48 years that have passed since the high-performance brand was launched. Just like the rest of the S63 range, the open top version comes with the same 5.5-liter V8 engine developing 585 hp and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) and the 4MATIC 4WD system as standard. Since it's a sports car we're talking about, the torque split is rear biased and helps the S63 Cabriolet sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
As opposed to the S500 Cabriolet, the AMG version uses an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission that comes with three selectable driving modes: C for controlled efficiency (start/stop function only works in this setting), S for sport and M for manual.
Transmission settings also have a bearing on the active exhaust system with automatic flaps. When in "C" mode, which is recommended for relaxed cruising, the flaps remain closed and the sound is more understated, unless the driver floors the throttle. In "S" and "M" modes, however, all hell breaks loose and the raucous sound we've come to expect from AMG is heard once again.
The interior of both the AMG and standard models carries on from where the rest of the S-Class range left off, with impeccable finish and carefully chosen materials.
Mercedes-Benz has also released a comprehensive image gallery, so the Frankfurt unveiling will now be more of a formality. Nevertheless, we're looking forward to seeing the car live and even more eager to drive it. It's gonna be a tough winter...
Mercedes is planning on presenting the new Cabriolet at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales opening up in December 2015. However, actual deliveries won't start until early spring 2016, so whoever's up for some Benz open-airness will have to wait a few months. Come to think of it, that isn't such a bad thing for those of us living in the Northern hemisphere, since we're about to go through winter here. Oh, Mercedes-Benz, you're so considerate.
We've covered the new S-Class Cabriolet before and we've pretty much touched on the most important points, but Mercedes-Benz has now released a full set of information, so let's mark the main talking points.
The car is more rigid and has a low curb weight thanks to the use of some lightweight materials like aluminium and magnesium. The rollover protection system behind the rear head restraints has a pyrotechnic initiation of the actuators for quicker deployment. Climate control - which includes AIRCAP and AIRSCARF systems - is completely automatic and requires no further input from the driver even if the car goes open or closed top.
The new S-Class Cabriolet has a Cd of 0.29, setting new aerodynamic standards in its - admittedly rarefied - class. This impacts both dynamic performances and fuel consumption, but wind noise as well. In fact, in similar style to its related sibling, the S-Class Coupe, which is the series car with the quietest interior experience, the Cabriolet offers very good levels of sound insulation: a three-layer acoustic soft top comes as standard.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet drivers and passengers will also feel the wonderful AIRMATIC suspension at work (or rather they won't) which comes as standard on the new model. The semi-active suspension system can be set up for either a sporty or a more comfortable experience.
The only Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet available at launch is the S500 model which uses a 4,663 cc V8 engine good for 455 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). It comes with a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic gearbox ideal for fuel efficiency as well as dynamism.
Also available from launch will be the Affalterbach version of the S-Class Cabriolet. The Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet is the first of its kind in all the 48 years that have passed since the high-performance brand was launched. Just like the rest of the S63 range, the open top version comes with the same 5.5-liter V8 engine developing 585 hp and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) and the 4MATIC 4WD system as standard. Since it's a sports car we're talking about, the torque split is rear biased and helps the S63 Cabriolet sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
As opposed to the S500 Cabriolet, the AMG version uses an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission that comes with three selectable driving modes: C for controlled efficiency (start/stop function only works in this setting), S for sport and M for manual.
Transmission settings also have a bearing on the active exhaust system with automatic flaps. When in "C" mode, which is recommended for relaxed cruising, the flaps remain closed and the sound is more understated, unless the driver floors the throttle. In "S" and "M" modes, however, all hell breaks loose and the raucous sound we've come to expect from AMG is heard once again.
The interior of both the AMG and standard models carries on from where the rest of the S-Class range left off, with impeccable finish and carefully chosen materials.
Mercedes-Benz has also released a comprehensive image gallery, so the Frankfurt unveiling will now be more of a formality. Nevertheless, we're looking forward to seeing the car live and even more eager to drive it. It's gonna be a tough winter...
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