Mercedes to launch lavish cabrio

This is the S-Class Cabriolet and it is going on sale shortly after a major unveiling at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the S-Class Coupé (well, of course...) it uses a heavy injection of extra magnesium and aluminium bits to keep its kerb weight identical to that of its solid-lidded sister.

That's clever enough in itself, but there's more - a lot more. How about a climate control system that not only knows when the roof is down but can actually (Mercedes claims) control the climate even then? A huge number of sensors, actuators and fans constantly study the air temperature and humidity in and around the occupants and keep them cool or warm (as desired) and their driver or passenger only has to set their desired temperature - the system does the rest.

Then how about a roof, a triple-layer fabric one, that can be opened or closed in just 20 seconds and which can be used at speeds of up to 60km/h, saving you from those embarrassing I-think-I-have-time moments at traffic lights? There are also huge, heavily contoured seats that can blow warm air at your neck (Merc's Airscarf system), heat or cool your buttocks and even have heated armrests and steering wheel, lest your elbows or fingertips develop a chill. There is also an Aircap system, which extends an extra blade from the top of the windscreen and keeps unwanted turbulent air at bay.

Then there are the safety systems. Mercedes has really opened the electronic safety systems tap to its widest setting. On the electronic front, the car's Intelligent Drive systems include Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Brake Assist BAS Plus with CrossTraffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus. In addition to a distance and collision warning function in conjunction with Adaptive Brake Assist, which offers collision protection from speeds as low as 6km/h, the Collision Prevention Assist Plus system installed as standard also features an additional function: when a danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to about 100km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles. At speeds of up to around 50km/h the system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to around 40km/h.

Not only that, but if you should have an unfortunate inversion moment, the S-Class Cabriolet will pop up a new rollover protection system at the rear, which is now fired by a combined explosive bolt and compressed gas system, for even faster reactions.

And engines? Oh yes, it has those alright. The standard model, for now, will be the S 500, powered by the 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 already familiar from the S-Class, SL and CLS. It has 455hp and 700Nm of torque and Mercedes says it does 8.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle and emits 199g/km.

All of which rather pales when you consider that there's the inevitable S 63 AMG version, which has four-wheel drive and uses a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 engine pumping out a massive 585hp and 900Nm of torque and which can monster the 0-100km/h run in just 3.7 seconds.

All of which is kept on the road by a standard-fit Airmatic air suspension system, with a four-link front axle.

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