Mercedes S-Class cabrio just about ready to drop its top

Sun, 17 Aug 2014

Mercedes hasn't made a convertible version of the S-Class in over four decades now – and never did make a convertible out of the CL-Class – but with the expansion of the flagship family, that's exactly what the German automaker has in store. And here we have the spy shots to prove it.

Joining the sedan, coupe and upcoming long-wheelbase Maybach and Pullman versions will be this four-seat cabriolet with a folding soft top, expected to arrive sometime next year. Though none of the S-Class' sedan rivals (like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Lexus LS) offer convertible versions, the new S cabrio will do battle with the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Bentley Continental GTC, Maserati GranTurismo Convertible and (to an arguably lesser extent) the BMW 6 Series and potentially with the next-generation Jaguar XK and upcoming Rolls-Royce Wraith convertible.

Expect the same portfolio of engines to carry over from the S-Class coupe, starting with the 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S550 and potentially extending to V12 and AMG versions to follow.

By Noah Joseph