2016 Mercedes S-Class Convertible

The Mercedes S-Class->ke359 has been the company’s flagship model since it was first introduced in 1972, when it replaced the W108. In its 43-year history, the S-Class has evolved into one of the world’s best-selling luxury models->ke505. That kind of success has spurred numerous body types over the years, including a cabriolet->ke144 version that’s now ready for its own next-generation debut. It will happen at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235, where Mercedes->ke187 will introduce the drop-top version of the sixth-gen S-Class.

Although it brings infinite headroom to Stuttgart's sixth generation of range-topping luxury cars, the new S-Class Convertible is actually the first drop-top to wear the S-Class badge and the first open-top luxury four-seater from Mercedes-Benz since 1971. The W108, built between 1965 and 1972, was the first and final luxury four-seater to have a retractable top

Once it's out, the S-Class Cabriolet should be a strong competitor against the likes of the 2016 Bentley Continental GT Convertible and the 2015 Aston Martin DB9 Volante. Will it have what it takes to give its British rivals a run for the their money? Find out in our review.

Updated 12/18/2015: Mercedes announced European prices for its new S-Class Convertible which is now available for order. The model will be priced from 139,051.50 euro for the S500 Convertible version and 187,484.50 euro for the S63 AMG one. Deliveries will begin in April 2016.

Continue reading to learn more about the new Mercedes S-Class Convertible.

2016 Mercedes S-Class Convertible

Specifications

Make: Array
Model: 2016 Mercedes S-Class Convertible
Engine/Motor: V8
Horsepower: 449
Torque: 516 @ 1800
Transmission: 9G-TRONIC 9-speed
[do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Pros

Cons

2018 Facelift Spy Shots

Exterior

The S-Class Convertible is identical to its coupe->ke141 sibling below the beltline, which makes it a gorgeous cabriolet to look at. It comes with the same aggressive yet still elegant front fascia, sleek rear end with slender taillights, muscular engine hood, and strong character lines between the front and rear wheel arches. It's above the beltline where the S-Class Convertible differs significantly, thanks to its canvas roof.

Though it's not as sleek as the coupe with the top up, particularly because of the smaller quarter windows and the not-so-smooth shape of the soft-top as it descends toward the rear, the S-Class Convertible is downright handsome with the top folded behind the seats. It's not as bulky as the Bentley Continental GT Convertible and not as aggressive as the DB9 Volante. Its designed seems perfectly balanced, blending the gracefulness of its 1970s ancestor with Mercedes' sleeker styling language of 2015.

Interior

As expected, the drop-top's cabin mirrors the coupe's. The same single-unit dashboard is awash in fine leather and dominated by five retro-styled air-conditioning vents. You’ll also find the same single block display unit that extends from the driver’s side door all the way to the center console. The soft sculpted bucket seats also make their appearance in the S-Class Convertible, as is the optional red full-leather upholstery.

But the cabrio does come with additional standard equipment, including the company's Air-Scarf neck heater and draft-reducing electric wind deflectors. There's also a new Thermotronic climate control system that uses sensors and actuators to maintain the temperature when the roof is folded. This feature can also detect the presence of harmful gases entering the cabin.

Then there's the retractable roof, which, unsurprisingly, is state-of-the-art technology. It uses a three-layer, acoustically optimized design with an outer fabric cover that incorporates a butyl layer acting as a water barrier. The top can be dropped or raised in under 20 seconds and at speeds of 37 mph. when the soft-top is opened, it folds away into the trunk, where it is separated from the remaining luggage compartment space by means of an electrically operated retractable cover which encloses the roof. When the soft-top is up, the luggage compartment partition can be retracted by pressing a button in the inner paneling of the boot lid to increase luggage space.

Drivetrain

Not surprisingly, the S-Class Cabriolet, available only in S500 trim, is powered by the same engine as the coupe. That's a biturbo, 4.7-liter V-8 producing 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, linked to a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission and the brand's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Performance figures aren't yet available, but the coupe should be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, making it a tenth-second slower than the coupe. Top speed is likely limited at a very German 155 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Type	V8 engine
Displacement	4,663 cc
Output	449 HP
Torque	516 LB-FT @ 1,800 RPM
Transmission	9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic

Safety

As with most luxury models from Mercedes-Benz, the S-Class Convertible is packed with assistance and safety systems. These include Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Brake Assist BAS Plus with Cross‑Traffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, and Night View Assist Plus.

Prices

U.S. pricing for the S-Class Cabriolet is not yet available, but the drop-top will retail from €139,051.50 in Germany. That's a hefty €39,091.5 premium over the coupe model, priced from €99.960. That said, the Cabriolet could fetch close to $170,000 in the U.S. in S550 4Matic trim, a 39-percent premium over the $121,500 coupe.

European Prices

Mercedes S500 Convertible	139,051.50 euros
Mercedes-AMGS 63 4MATIC	187,484.50 euros
AMG Line	6,485.50 euros
Exclusive Package	7,925.40 euros (S 500 Cabriolet)/5,902.40 euros (S 63 4MATIC)
AIRCAP	1,178.10 euros
AIRSCARF neck-level heating system	773.50 euros
Warmth Comfort Package	511.70 euros

Competitors

Bentley Continental GT Convertible

When the Mercedes S-Class Convertible hits dealerships, it’s going to find itself competing against an exclusive list of vehicles that are no slouches in their own right. One such model is the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, considered one of the standard-bearers of this select group. Typical of Bentley->ke15, the Continental GTC looks outlandishly elegant that also shows glimpses of being sporty and muscular.

Bentley also made tweaks to the car’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 engine, bumping the output up to 582 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque for the 2016 model. The addition of cylinder deactivation also cuts fuel consumption by five percent, which is a huge deal for an engine that does a combined 20 mpg. The Continental GT Convertible does have one huge drawback compared to the S-Class Convertible: price. Whereas the Merc is expected to a little over $130,000, the Continental GT Convertible has a staggering starting price of $266,485. So the question is: if you’re in the market for a luxury convertible, would you rather buy one Bentley Continental GT Convertible or two Mercedes S-Class Cabriolets?

Read more about the 2016 Bentley Continental GT Convertible here.

Aston Martin DB9 Volante

The Aston Martin DB9 Volante shares a few characteristics with the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, not the least of which is a price tag that eclipses $200,000. The S-Class Cabriolet doesn’t approach that by a mile, but all that should change when the boys from AMG turn up the heat with the expected release of the cabriolet versions of the S63 AMG and S65 AMG.

The DB9 Volante suffers from the same problem that seem to befall a lot of Aston Martin models. Ever since its introduction in 2004, the DB9 Volante hasn’t changed all that much. Sure, it was ground-breaking back then, but that was also a time wherein Facebook was still in its infancy and Twitter hadn’t even been invented yet. Times have changed but sadly, Aston Martin seems to have gotten stuck in the mud on that end.

That’s not to say that the DB9 Volante looks dated. On the contrary, Aston Martin->ke13 has done a remarkable job keeping its models interesting despite not having done any wholesale changes to it. Powering the DB9 Volante is a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that pumps out 500 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. That’s a little more than what the standard S-Class Cabtriolet is capable of. The DB9 Volante starts out at $205,325.

Read our review of the 2016 Aston Martin DB9 Volante by Q here.

Conclusion

Mercedes’ reinvention at the top of its range continues with the arrival of the 2016 S-Class Cabriolet. The base iteration will be heavily outgunned by some of the powers of this case, but reinforcements are expected to arrive when the AMGs join in on the fun. For now, though, the S-Class Cabriolet will stand as the flagship Mercedes convertible once it hits dealerships in early 2016. For what it has, it’s more than capable of taking the fight to the competition, at least until the cavalry arrives.

Update history

Updated 09/02/2015: Mercedes dropped the official details on the new S-Class Convertible, with just a few days before its official debut in Frankfurt.

Updated 08/25/2015: The S-Class Cabriolet has been partially revealed in a teaser photo, where it can be seen sitting alongside its ancestor, an S-Class Cabriolet W111.

Updated 08/24/2015: Mercedes-Benz has released an official drawing of the upcoming S-Class Cabriolet. The model should be just weeks away from its official unveiling.