Mercedes previews S-Class Cabrio

Set to be one of the stars of next month’s Frankfurt show, the S-Class Cabrio is Merc’s answer to the Bentley Continental GT Convertible.

As such, when it goes on sale early next year it will carry a six-figure price tag – with top models expected to breach the £200,000 barrier.

That sort of money will buy the S65 AMG, whose 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine will send 621bhp to its rear wheels.

There’ll also be a 5.5-litre S63 AMG, with a mere 577bhp, and an S500 with a 449bhp 4.6-litre V8. These two will be first on sale at launch time, with the bigger AMG model coming along later.

Mercedes is yet to unveil full technical details of the vehicle, but four-wheel drive is likely to be available as an option for those who favour secure grip over rear-drive thrills. Like the S-Class Coupe, the Cabrio will also offer Merc’s Magic Body Control system, adjusting its stance by leaning the body into corners and automatically adjusting chassis settings to provide the best ride for whatever road surface you happen to be on.

Inside, the cabin is set up to carry four people, not five, with individual rear seats rather than a traditional shaped bench. You can expect it to be the height of luxury, with massaging front seats, various top-notch stereo options and even a fragrance dispenser.

Mercedes will throw its full array of current safety kit at the vehicle, too, including infra-red night vision, active lane keeping and the very latest collision-prevention technology.

Above it, the roof has been designed to mimic the lines of the S-Class Coupe as faithfully as possible. Its multi-ply fabric body folds automaticaly to disappear beneath an expansive cover when retracted, leaving the rear part of the boot still available for cargo.

Needless to say, the rear body panels and boot design are unique to the Cabriolet. It’s more similar to the Coupe up front, however – with the exception of the windscreen surround, which is much heftier to cope with the lack of a steel roof to brace it.