Frankfurt Motor show 2013: Mercedes S-Class coupe concept revealed

This is the Mercedes-Benz Concept S-class coupé shown at the Frankfurt motor show, which gives strong clues about the production form of the company’s traditional flagship model.

Once again, the replacement for the current CL is a substantial machine, some 5005mm long and 1958mm wide, with a 2945mm wheelbase.Like Mercedes’ smallest cars, the coupé has the company’s new distinctive styling theme on the bodysides, with raised edges running from the front wings to the rear wheelarch. Again, the car does without a B-pillar, suggesting that a convertible is also in the works. This concept also gets an almost entirely glazed roof.A long bonnet dominates the overall proportions and grants the coupé what Mercedes calls a “cowering greenhouse”, the impression that the cabin sits well back behind the front wheels.

The nose of the coupé also adopts the look pioneered by the baby CLA, although this car has the upper part of its grille surround extended, thereby giving it a retro reverse-rake nose.Its interior is more conceptual, expressing what Mercedes calls “sensual clarity as an expression of modern luxury”. Much effort has been expended on new materials and finishes, as part of the modern luxury brief. The doors panels are made from computer-milled aluminium.

The air vents are finished in a mix of white and polished aluminium and the centre console in a new ‘black diamond’ finish created by a chemical vapour deposit process, which deposits a precious metal on a “high-sheen chrome surface” at temperatures of 1000deg C.

Mercedes' concept is powered by a twin-turbo V8 that develops 449bhp and 71.3kgm of peak torque. The concept also uses twin ‘stereo cameras’ to produce a 3D view of about 50m in front of the car. This information can be used to pre-adjust the suspension system in anticipation of approaching undulations.

Check out the S-class coupé gallery.