Mercedes-Benz has released an official image of its upcoming S-class Cabriolet, prior to its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2015. The image shows the upcoming car alongside the last version of the S-class cabriolet whcih was on sale internationally from 1961 to 1971. The new S-class Cabriolet will rival Bentley’s Continental GT Convertible and is speculated to cost excess of Rs 1 crore when it goes on sale first in UK early next year.
The S-class Cabriolet will boast the largest folding fabric roof ever seen from the brand. It will also utilise a fairly large rear glass window, to help replicate the dimensions seen on the hard-top S-class Coupe. It will feature a considerably longer boot to accommodate the roof, when folded away.
Other noticeable changes seen from the images are a strengthened windscreen frame up front, an altered belt line, new rear wing panels and a heavily reworked boot lid. Inside, the new open-top Mercedes provides seating for four, with the individual electronically adjustable rear seats separated by a centre console.
Initially, the car is expected to get two petrol engines — a 449bhp, twin-turbocharged 4.6-litre, V8 in the S500 Cabriolet and a 577bhp, twin-turbocharged, 5.5-litre, V8 engine in the S63 AMG Cabriolet. Mercedes-Benz also plans to add a 621bhp twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre, V12 to the line-up in its range-topping S65 AMG cabriolet.
The company plans to equip the car with the advanced tilt function, which will allow it to lean into corners, in a manner similar to a motorcycle. The same system will also feature a suspension management system which will scan the road surface and alter the stiffness to improve ride quality.
Other comfort features include front seats with a massage function and a high-end Burmester audio system. Although not confirmed yet, the S-class Cabriolet could be sold as a standard rear-wheel drive along with the option of Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic four-wheel-drive system on at least one model.