The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet: Open-Top Luxury +VIDEO

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

STUTTGART - September 2, 2015: The new Cabriolet is the sixth variant of the current S-Class family and the first open-top luxury four-seater from Mercedes-Benz since 1971. It offers a distinctive, sensual and exclusive design, the cutting-edge technology of the S-Class and a comprehensive warmth and wind protection concept which includes intelligent climate control for convertibles. The elegantly sporty model will have its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.

Also on show in Frankfurt will be a superlative dream car from Mercedes‑AMG in the guise of the S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet. 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.

"After 44 years we are once again able to offer Mercedes aficionados an open-top car in the S-Class. The new S-Class Cabriolet symbolises our passion for individual and timelessly exclusive mobility, which we share with our customers", remarks Ola Källenius, Board Member of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales.

The new S-Class Cabriolet is exceptionally rigid. 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.

"Two years after its launch, the S-Class family is now complete. We have never offered six 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 Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "The S-Class sets the pace on the global market when it comes to safety, efficiency and comfort."

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. In contrast to conventional systems, the climate is controlled fully automatically. This means that the driver does not need to select a mode for closed or open top, nor is it necessary to save a temperature setting for these driving conditions.

A loving attention to detail is also evident in the luggage compartment concept: when the soft top is opened, it folds away into part 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 during opening of the soft top. This means that the driver no longer needs to stop in order to operate the luggage compartment cover manually, providing for added convenience. The partition will not be activated if the luggage compartment is loaded such that there are objects in the area of the partition. When the soft top is closed, the luggage compartment partition can be retracted by pressing a button in the inner panelling of the boot lid, so as to increase the available luggage space.

Additional boons are standard-specification electro-hydraulic remote locking for the luggage compartment and a through-loading facility into the interior.

Dynamic profile, superlative class: The design

"With its sensual and pure 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 optional LED Intelligent Light System showcases the car's elegance in glittering style with exquisite Swarovski crystals for the direction indicators and daytime running lamps.

The side design of the S-Class Cabrio 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 while on the move up to a speed of 60 km/h. Opening and closing take around 20 seconds. The soft top is deposited above the automatically extending luggage compartment partition. The newly developed soft top from Mercedes Benz is a tensioning-arm top. When closing the soft top, the required closing forces are generated by moving the tensioning arms beyond the dead centre position – a process known as 'overcentering'. This avoids the need for any additional closures on the soft top compartment lid, in keeping with the high design quality embodied by the S-Class Cabrio. With the electronic key, opening and closing are also possible from outside the vehicle.

The rear end underscores the impression of width with flat LED tail lights and muscular shoulders. The closed soft top with glass window blends harmoniously into the rear view. The soft top compartment lid is framed by a wide chrome trim element. The rear bumper with diffusor-look lower section, two visible tailpipe trims and a horizontal chrome trim element add a sporty finish. The Mercedes star is hinged and performs several functions: it serves as a handle for manual opening of the boot lid and is also the cover for the reversing camera and the 360° camera (optional).

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

Inside, the S-Class Cabriolet boasts a luxuriously sporty design idiom and fine materials, conjuring up an exceptionally classy interior setting. The soft top opens up to create an open-air lounge that exudes a yacht-like atmosphere. The carefully matched choice of colours and materials and the high-quality controls in real metal or in chrome look underscore the vehicle's highly exclusive character. To enable the broadest scope for individualisation, there is a choice of leather, nappa leather or designo Exclusive nappa leather plus six different interior colour concepts, including a maritime-inspired combination of deep-sea blue and porcelain. The materials feature the highest standard of workmanship and are hand-crafted in character.

Exemplary low wind noise

With a C_d value of 0.29, aerodynamics world champion Mercedes-Benz sets a new benchmark in this segment with the S-Class Cabrio. The excellent air flow characteristics are attributable, for example, to the underbody panelling concept with extensive engine compartment and main floor panelling, the extensive rear axle cladding, the aerodynamically optimised wheel spoilers, the aerodynamic shape of the exterior mirrors and the well-balanced power split between front and rear axle.

As a worthy sister model for the S-Class Coupé – the series production car with the quietest interior of all – the open four-seater offers excellent noise-related comfort, too. A three-layer acoustic soft top comes as standard. The outer fabric cover incorporates a butyl layer as a water barrier on the inside, as opposed to the previous neoprene layer. This lowers noise levels, as does the enhanced upholstery matting and the acoustically optimised roof lining. The insulating layer also ensures that the elegant profile silhouette is not spoiled by bows that are visible from the outside.

Bodyshell measures, the sealing concept for the doors and the double glazing are also crucial to the low wind noise level in the interior. In addition to noise-related comfort, the aerodynamics engineers have also devoted special attention to maintaining a draught-free interior. The new S-Class Cabrio is optionally available with the AIRCAP automatic wind protection system. This can be extended at the touch of a button to reduce turbulence in the interior. AIRCAP consists of two components: a wind deflector with a net, set into the roof frame, that can be extended by seven centimetres, plus a similarly extendable draught-stop behind the rear seats, with a convex contour and stainless steel trim. The innovative diffusor ribs on the bottom edge of the front louvre are a further development. They produce specific turbulence effects to reduce the noise level. The wind deflector is finished in the body colour on the S-Class Cabrio.

Another optionally available feature is the AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This extends the convertible season by enabling comfortable open-top driving even at low outside temperatures. With this patented neck-level heating system, warmed air circulates around the head and neck areas of the occupants from the head restraints.

THERMOTRONIC: particularly intelligent climate control

The new S-Class premieres an intelligent climate control system which in future will provide for ideal climate comfort coupled with maximum user-friendliness in all open-top vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. The air conditioning experts at Mercedes‑Benz developed a new software architecture specifically for this system, which underwent rigorous testing on state-of-the-art "hardware-in-the-loop" test stands prior to fine-tuning in the climate tunnel and on test drives.

In contrast to conventional systems, the climate is controlled fully automatically. This means that the driver does not need to select a mode for closed or open top, nor is it necessary to save a temperature setting for these driving conditions. An overlapping function performs the considerable feat of achieving an unnoticeable transition between closed and open top (and vice-versa) for maximum climate comfort. The Cabrio benefits here from the sophisticated climate control concept for the S-Class, which enables automatic individual control of each nozzle, for example.

The air conditioning control unit is fully networked and communicates with numerous vehicle components. In all, 12 sensors and 18 actuators provide for an ideal climate in all conditions. In addition to interior and exterior temperature, the sensors also detect the level of solar radiation. A sensor for air quality and harmful gases constantly monitors the quality of the outside air being drawn in. To effectively prevent the windows from fogging up, a dewpoint sensor measures the absolute humidity on the front windscreen. Two solar sensors on the dashboard and on the rear shelf ensure that blower level and temperature are adjusted to the selected settings in good time in response to any changes in solar irradiation.

AMG Lightweight Performance

The basis for the vehicle's superior and dynamic character is provided by the particularly rigid bodyshell structure featuring innovative solutions such as the luggage compartment bulkhead made of magnesium.

The increase in weight which is inherent to the design of a convertible has been limited by the use of a lightweight lithium-ion battery, AMG light-alloy wheels produced by means of a sophisticated forging process and the weight-optimised AMG high-performance composite brake system. In addition, large parts of the shell and the front section are made of aluminium, as is the vehicle's rear end.

AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine: superior and efficient

In terms of maximum output, torque and fuel consumption, the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine remains one of the most efficient series-produced V8 engines in the world. With an output of 430 kW (585 hp) and 900 Newton metres of torque, the AMG eight-cylinder engine meets the very highest standards. And the same goes for its performance: the S 63 Cabriolet accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).

NEDC fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres makes the two-door model the most fuel-efficient model in its competitive segment. This just goes to show that performance, efficiency and environmental compatibility need not be mutually exclusive aims.

	Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet*
Displacement	5461 cc
Output	430 kW (585 hp) at 5500 rpm
Peak torque	900 Nm at 2250-3750 rpm
Fuel consumption NEDC combined	10.4 l/100 km
CO2 emissions	244 g/km
Efficiency class	F
Kerb weight (according to DIN/EC)	2110 kg** 2185 kg***
Power-to-weight ratio	3.61 kg/hp
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	3.9 s
Top speed	250 km/h****

World premiere in 2015 and market launch in 2016

The S 63 Cabriolet will have its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. It will go on sale in December, and the market launch will begin in the spring of 2016.