Since it was relaunched, the Mercedes S Class – and anything bearing the name – have been the subject of much well-deserved attention. It set a new standard in the market, and proves to be a very popular choice for those looking for luxurious, comfortable and safe travel without the ostentation of a Bentley or Rolls Royce.
It’s particularly exciting news, then, that the company’s first S-Class Cabriolet in 44 years is now being built. Although sketches were leaked earlier this year, Mercedes have now released the first official picture of the car, which is due out in 2016.
A plush, four seat convertible, the car is promised to not only come with the largest folding fabric roof ever to be used in a series production car, but also the promise that it will be “the most comfortable cabriolet in the world.”
To accommodate this vast fabric tent – er, roof – the car’s boot will be far longer than that of the standard S Class Coupe. It will also had a redesigned boot lid, new rear wing panels, a stronger windscreen frame and much smaller passenger side windows. The roof is not only multi layer but also fully automatic, meaning that these changes are certainly necessary! To preserve the car’s exterior line, a large tonneau cover will sit behind the rear seats.
Inside, the car will offer something called AIRCAP, dubbed to be an automatic wind protection system (your guess is as good as ours), as well as all the usual Mercedes gadgets. For passengers worried about the cooler temperature from the lack of a proper roof, there are heated seats, heated armrests and something called AIRSCARF, a neck-level heating system. With this attention to detail it’s no wonder that critics are calling this a rival to Bentley’s convertible offerings.
The car will have the same choice of engines as the coupe and be available in all- and rear- drive. It’s due to be available next year. Watch this space!