2016 Mercedes-Benz S500 Cabriolet Designo Diamond Bright White Exterior, Interior and Drive. Subscribe.
Mercedes-Benz lays claim to building the world's most comfortable convertible. When it comes to climate comfort, the enhanced automatic wind protection system AIRCAP, the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, the heated armrests, the seat heating also in the rear plus the intelligent climate control ensure that this is indeed the case.
Attention to detail is also evident in the luggage compartment concept: when the soft top is opened, it folds away into a section of the luggage compartment. The soft top is separated from the remaining luggage compartment space by means of an electrically operated retractable cover which encloses the soft top. This luggage compartment partition extends automatically when opening the soft top. This means that the driver does not need to stop in order to operate the luggage compartment cover manually, providing for added convenience. Additional benefits are standard-specification electro-hydraulic remote closing for the boot lid and a through-loading facility into the interior.
"Barely three years after its launch, the S-Class family has grown to six members. We have never offered so many models in the luxury class before - and never before have we enjoyed such success," says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes‑Benz Cars Development. "The S-Class sets the pace on the global market when it comes to safety, efficiency and comfort."
The V8 engine of the S 500 Cabriolet has an output of 335 kW (455 hp). The displacement stands at 4663 cc and the engine produces peak torque of 700 Nm from 1800 rpm. In NEDC combined mode the Cabriolet gets by on 8.5 litres of premium-grade petrol per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 199 g/km. The innovative 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission supports both a dynamic and a fuel-saving driving style.
The Mercedes-AMG S63 4MATIC is even more powerful: its 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine offers an output of 430 kW (585 hp) and peak torque of 900 Nm, AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive with rear-biased torque split as standard and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Top of the range is the twelve-cylinder open-top Mercedes-AMG S 65 with an output of 463 kW (630 hp) and peak torque of 1000 Nm.
The new S-Class Cabriolet boasts exceptional torsional stiffness. Innovative solutions such as the luggage compartment bulkhead made of aluminium and magnesium as well as the aluminium rear floor also lower the bodyshell weight to the level of the S-Class Coupé. The standard-fit roll-over protection system behind the rear head restraints features pyrotechnic initiation of the actuators for the first time, in addition to which the roll bars themselves are moved into position by a gas generator.
"With its clear design idiom, our new S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most beautiful and exclusive S-Class cars of all time," says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG. "It embodies modern luxury in a very special way and is an expression of both effortless superiority and progressivity."
The centrepiece of the front end is the black diamond radiator grille featuring the Mercedes star and a single louvre in silver with chrome inserts. The bonnet adds dynamic touches with two powerful character lines. The striking front bumper incorporates large air intakes in the middle and at the sides. The chrome trim adds a sporty finishing touch to the front end.
The side design of the S-Class Cabriolet presents a thrilling dynamic coupé-style profile when the soft top is closed. Features of the side design include a low greenhouse, the dropping line of the side wall descending towards the rear and the fully retractable side windows. The multilayer, taut soft top underscores the vehicle's class when closed. The soft top is available in black, dark blue, beige and dark red.
The switch in the centre console can be used to open and close the soft top within around 20 seconds while on the move up to a speed of 50 km/h. The soft top is deposited above the automatically extending luggage compartment partition. With the electronic key, the soft top can also be opened and closed from outside the vehicle. The soft top compartment lid is framed by a wide chrome trim element. The closed soft top with glass window blends harmoniously into the rear view.
The rear end underscores the impression of width with flat LED tail lights and muscular shoulders. The rear bumper with diffusor-look lower section, two visible tailpipe trims and a horizontal chrome trim element add a sporty finish.
