Mercedes is king of drop- tops
WHICHEVER way you look at it, 45 years is a long time to wait. But 1971 was the last time we saw a drop- top version of Mercedes’ fl agship model the S- Class. Now that has all changed with this new S- Class Cabriolet on sale this summer, with its high waistline, elegantly- sculpted fl anks and rakish stance, looking suitably closely related to the existing and similarly handsome S- Class Coupé.
Then again, despite being out of the action for the best part of half a century, the new S- Class Cabriolet doesn’t do anything by halves, particularly with a starting price of £ 110,120. It is not a car for the impecunious and sales are likely to refl ect that.
Last year the company sold a respectable 380 S- Class Coupés in the UK, with roughly a 50/ 50 mix of the S500 and AMG models.
It is likely these S- Class Cabrios will be slightly fewer in number – in the UK at least – but as with other low- volume high- end goods, profi t margins are healthy.
Under the Cabriolet’s lengthy bonnet is a choice of three turbocharged petrol engines, none of which are exactly short straws – either two V8s with a 4.7- litre in the S500 or 5.5- litre in the S63 AMG, or a monstrous 6.0- litre V12 in the excessive S65 AMG.
With a nine- speed automatic gearbox the 455bhp engine in the S500 can haul the 2.1- tonne car from 0 to 60mph in 4.6 seconds and on to a 155mph top speed. But more relevant is its overtaking prowess – put your foot down and the motor growls menacingly.
As much as the S500 can humiliate most sports cars when required, if you’re in the mood to cruise – as most owners will be most of the time – then it will oblige with uncanny serenity and return an offi cial average fuel economy of 32.5mpg, which is likely to be close to the high 20s in more real- world motoring. Around town, the engine and exhaust are effectively inaudible, even with the roof down.
If you need more grunt then one of the two high- performance AMG variants should suit. The S63 boasts a 5.5- litre V8 that puts 585bhp through its seven- speed gearbox. It too is limited to 155mph in standard trim but it can get from 0 to 60mph in 4.2 seconds.
The £ 135,675 S63 isn’t as quiet as the S500 – its quad exhausts rumble menacingly at low speed and bellow when the wick is turned up – and it is thirstier.
Potential owners should reckon on low- to- mid 20s at the pumps ( offi cially 28mpg) and the S63’ s engine is not quite as silky smooth as the S500 – brute force and thunder is what AMG is all about.
For those with £ 192,805 to spare, along with a burning desire not to