Mercedes S-Class convertible: full prices, specs & release date

This is the all-new Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet. Available to order now, several months after making its public debut at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, prices for the new luxurious drop-top start at £110,120, with the most expensive model topping out at £192,805. First deliveries are set to take place this coming summer.

Mercedes is promising that the new car– the company’s first full-size four-seat cabriolet since 1971 – will be the most comfortable car in its class beating the likes of the Bentley Continental GTC in this regard.

It won’t be a slouch, either, with a choice of three 5.5-litre petrol V8 engines producing either 449, 577 or 621bhp, with 0-62times ranging between 4.1 and 4.6 seconds.

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With the car’s soft-top in place, the Convertible has a virtually identical profile to the Mercedes S-Class Coupe, providing a graceful shape. Those looking to stand out from the crowd can specify an ‘intelligent’ LED lighting system, which uses Swarovski crystals in the indicators and daytime running lights.

The fabric roof, which is insulated, is available in four colours: black, dark blue, beige and dark red. It takes 20 seconds to open or close – an operation that can be carried out speeds up to 37mph. It can also be opened or closed remotely via a button on the key.

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Mercedes says the S-Class Convertible will be the most comfortable convertible available, with clever wind deflectors and neck-level heating keeping occupants isolated from draughts. Even the armrests are heated.

The roof folds electrically into the boot, where a power-operated cover slides across to separate the roof from the rest of the luggage compartment. In some cars, this needs to be done manually.

The S-Class Convertible also promises to be one of the safest drop-tops on sale, with a strong yet lightweight construction and roll bars that are popped up with a pyrotechnic charge should the car roll over.

Mercedes references luxury yachts when talking about the S-Class Convertible’s interior. Although much of the cabin will be familiar to owners of the current Mercedes S-Class saloon or Coupe, buyers can choose from a nautical-themed blue-and-porcelain colour scheme (one of six ‘colour concepts’) alongside more familiar hues.

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Like the saloon and Coupe, the Convertible promises to be a very quiet car to travel in, with a three-layer roof to improve acoustic insulation and double-glazed windows with improved seals. Other developments include better aerodynamics, a body-coloured wind deflector and Mercedes’ ‘AIRSCARF’ neck-level heating system.

The car will go on sale with a choice of two engines. The S500 Convertible is powered by a 455bhp 4.7-litre V8 petrol with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. CO2 emissions are 199 grams per kilometre and Mercedes claims average fuel economy of 33.2mpg is possible.

A more powerful model, the Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet, is also available, with a turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 engine producing 577bhp. This equates to a 4.2-second 0-62mph time. I that's not quite enough for you, there will also be an S65 AMG version, which will use a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 to produce 621bhp, which is spread right across the rev-range. Not only will this be slightly quicker from a standstill – with 0-62mph coming up in 4.1 seconds – but its in-gear acceleration will be much more sprightly than the V8's figures.

Entry-level S500 models come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, while the two AMG models have a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. All three come with rear-wheel drive as standard, while there is the possibility that four-wheel drive will become available in the future.

All three cars are limited to 155mph, although you can up this to 186mph on the S63 and S65 if you spend extra on the AMG Driver’s package.

Basically, the three different engines come with their own trim level and thus, their own amount of standard equipment. At the bottom of the range (everything’s relative), the S500 comes in AMG Line spec, which means you get 19-inch alloy wheels, an AMG body kit, LED headlights with Intelligent lighting system and Adaptive High Beam Assist. This is a system that keeps the lights illuminating as much of the road as possible, but without blinding other drivers.

These models also come with the top-of-the-range COMAND infotainment system, controlled by two 12.3-inch TFT screens with sat-nav, Bluetooth and DAB radio. You also get the AIRSCARF neck-heating system in the seats, an AIRCAP wind deflector on top of the windscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, leather upholstery and climate control. Despite being the entry-level models, they’ll still set you back at least £110,120 before you add any options.

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If 449bhp and all the above equipment isn’t quite enough for you, then you could always spend an extra £25,000 on the Mercedes-AMG S63 version, which starts at £135,675. For this you get more power – 577bhp – as well as extra equipment like some more exterior ‘bling’, chrome-plated exhaust pipes, a different design of 19-inch alloy wheels and a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system.

You also get the Driving Assistance package (standard on S63 and S65 models, a £3,180 option on the S500) that includes 360-degree camera and a host of extra safety equipment, including blind spot assist, lane keeping assist (systems that warn you if there’s anything in your blind spot and will help keep you in your lane on the motorway) as well as DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control. There’s also Brake Assist System with Junction Assist which will automatically apply the brakes if it detects an imminent collision and can detect traffic crossing in front of you, stopping you from pulling out dangerously at a junction.

Top-of-the-range S65 models start at £192,805 – nearly £60,000 more than the S63 – and comes with intelligent LED headlights embedded with Swarovski crystals, a sports exhaust system, diamond-quilted Napa leather, a night vision camera, a head-up display and a 23-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system.

Available to order now, the Mercedes S-Class Convertible is priced from £110,120 to £192,805. First deliveries are likely to start in the summer.