Is Mercedes' S-Class Cabriolet the ultimate expression of luxury?

MERCEDES-BENZ has many strings to its bow. Some associate the three-pointed star with a long lineage of racing success and heritage, others think of an illustrious line-up of high-performance road cars, while some fans would immediately regale innovations and the pioneering of new technologies.

But almost everyone who has experienced a Mercedes, whether it be young or old, would recognise the brand’s connection to luxury motoring.

Even from its most humble and affordable models such as the A-Class and its spin-off relatives, the German car-maker has a raft of options and extras for customers to refine, customise and personalise their Mercedes with luxury materials and touches.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the S500 is expected to command a premium over its Coupe sibling, which is priced from $318,610 before on-road costs. The S63 costs $408,610.

However, no moniker in the line-up represents luxury more unashamedly than the top end of the Mercedes range – which includes the ultra-premium S-Class large sedan and coupe.

Available with more toys than Hamleys, the big sedan and coupe offer almost boundless comfort and styling options to cocoon occupants in one of the most lavish automotive interiors available, but now the car-maker has gone one step further.

Mercedes has resurrected the lavish S-Class Cabriolet after a 44-year hiatus.

Convertibles may traditionally lend themselves to more two-seater donor models, but that hasn’t stopped Mercedes chopping the top off of its big four-spot coupe, bringing back a drop-top S-Class for the first time in 44 years.

With the arrival of the convertible, the S-Class range is now complete at three derivatives, with the Cabriolet most closely related to the Coupe version, and sharing much of the mechanical and comfort equipment.

Its most notable difference – the roof – is constructed from a special multilayer fabric unlike some other Mercedes convertibles, which opted for a folding hard top arrangement. A hard roof may offer a more coupe look when in place, but tends to be a heavier solution.

For the record – we prefer the look of a rag top on a big Merc over a folding metal roof design.

The fully automatic roof can be lowered in about 20 seconds and at speeds of up to 60km/h and has both excellent noise and temperature insulating properties, resulting in the most comfortable convertible you could buy, says Mercedes.

When it arrives, the S-Class Cabriolet will be available as two variants. The S500 which has the same 4.7-litre V8 of the Coupe that pumps out 335kW and 700Nm of torque, and a more performance-focused AMG S63 4Matic.

AMG versions get a 5.5-litre turbo V8 made by just one person from start to finish.

Under its bonnet lies the hand-built AMG 5.5-litre V8 that produces a hearty 430kW and 900Nm of torque – enough to get to 100km/h from standstill in 3.9 seconds and crack 250km/h flat out, but when driven more conservatively will return fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

In the case of the S500, power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, while the AMG gets all-wheel drive to cope with the monstrous torque, and a Speedshift seven-speed version of the transmission.

The S-Class Cabriolet is a true convertible but unlike many rag-tops, the big Merc offers luxury transport for four.

If the Cabriolet follows the trend of the Coupe, the line-up will gain a new flagship and the utterly monstrous S65 version that would slot a twin-turbocharged V12 under the bonnet and 1000Nm of torque.

Double glazing adds to the serenity of the cabin and the triple-layer roof, which can be ordered in a choice of black, dark blue, beige and dark red and can be operated remotely with the key-fob for the ultimate in look-at-me style.

Interiors are as opulent as you would expect from a Mercedes flagship, with fine leather, a wall of digital displays and Airscarfs that blow warm air at your neck on chilly days.

Interiors are also available in a wide range of customisation options and there are six colour concepts including a Sea Blue with Porcelain option that embodies the vehicles “yacht-like” atmosphere.

Four seater convertibles might be rare, but they are not uncharted territory for Mercedes, and an S-Class first got its top off nearly half a century ago.

Mercedes first offered a large four-seat drop top in the early 1960s when the convertible W111 range was introduced with the 220SE Cabriolet.

The big cabriolet was initially launched as the 220SE but was later joined by a more powerful 250SE, and the 280SE ultimately formed the Cabriolet flagship with a 3.5-litre V8 and 200kW.

For its return, the S-Class is a vast leap forward and brings up-to-the-minute safety, comfort and performance-enhancing technology, but most importantly, it brings exclusive style to make onlookers green with envy.

The S-Class Coupe is big, powerful, fast and indulgent, but by lopping its top, has Mercedes created the ultimate in luxury limo transport in the returning S-Class Cabriolet?

Daniel Gardner GoAuto.com.au