Cabriolet Joins the Mercedes S-Class Family

If you would have said to a fan of Mercedes a few years back that the S-Class would be available in Coupé and Cabriolet forms as well as the Saloon, they would have laughed at you. But that's exactly where we are today, and we wouldn't at all be surprised if an Estate car comes along either!

But for now, the Cabriolet needs some explanation. The Saloon version comes with a diesel hybrid (S 300 h) and a petrol hybrid (S 400 h). There's also a petrol plug-in hybrid (S 500 e) and a standard diesel (S 350 d). It's the petrols that really impress, though, with an S 500 and S 600, as well as Mercedes-AMG S 63 and S 65. Despite Mercedes already having developed so many engines, it may come as a surprise to you that there are only three engines headed for the Cabriolet, and they are:

• S 500
• twin-turbocharged 4.6-litre V8
• 449 bhp
• 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds
• 32.5 mpg, 204 g/km
• 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission
• £110,120
• S 63
• twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8
• 577 bhp
• 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds
• 237 g/km
• AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed automatic transmission
• £135,675
• S 65
• twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12
• 621 bhp
• 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds
• 272 g/km
• AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission
• £192,805

All models are electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph, however the AMG models can be released to 186 mph for £2,760 (S 63) or £765 (S 65) as part of the AMG Driver's package.

The 'entry-level' S 500 is far from entry level. It comes as standard in the highest AMG Line trim with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, AIRMATIC air suspension, dual 12.3-inch displays, AIRSCARF heating from the headrests, all-round heated seats, front ventilated seats and an automatic boot separator for the roof.

The S 63 gets design upgrades in line with the rest of Mercedes-AMG's cars as well as 'V8 BITURBO' lettering on the front wings and a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system.

Similarly, the S 65 gets 'V12 BITURBO' lettering and an upgraded 23-speaker Burmester system. It also features 20-inch alloys and LED headlights with Swarovski crystals.