S-Class convertible being planned for '07 NAIAS
by John Neff on Jun 22nd 2006 at 6:57AM 
Auto Motor und Sport is reporting that Mercedes-Benz may be developing a four-door convertible version of its flagship luxury sedan, the S-Class. It will reportedly sport the longest soft top every produced and be powered by an equally large 6.0L V12 engine. We can expect the interior to be trimmed out in even more opulent luxury than a standard S-Class, as well. The S-Class convertible will surface in early 2007 as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
e30 guy 7:17AM (6/22/2006)
First Post woot!
Dude, thats crazy
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Uncle Richie 7:17AM (6/22/2006)
Toyota take notice: a drop top Avalon would look like this!
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Milos 7:22AM (6/22/2006)
why, why,why would anyone buy 5m+ long convertible yacht?
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JZeke 7:27AM (6/22/2006)
One would buy a 5M convertible for the same reason they would purchase a Azimut 86s, or a Magnum 88... because open vehicles are best enjoyed with friends, crusising from beach to the night spot.
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Ajay Bhatia 7:35AM (6/22/2006)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Corniche
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amp 7:36AM (6/22/2006)
I have to agree with Milos. This seems like an answer to a question nobody asked. The Google trans is a little funny, any idea if they're thinking rag top or hard top?
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Milos 7:49AM (6/22/2006)
if they wanted to make something like Corniche or Bentley, they should leave that to Maybach. By making this version of s-class (and smaller maybach) they risk of making Maybach without clear identity or purpose as uber-luxurious Mercedes.
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Gunnar Heinrich 8:46AM (6/22/2006)
Now that is intriguing. It's been a long time since we've had a four door saloon/convertible.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Steve 8:52AM (6/22/2006)
Ajay, While that is an interesting article on the Corniche (one of my favorite cars, btw) I'm curious as to the relevance. It's not 4 doors that I could tell. Just curious if I missed something.
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Michael Karesh 9:11AM (6/22/2006)
I'm not a fan of the new styling, especially not the overly trendy, un-sedan-like wheel arches, but this concept is bad to the bone. It would sell to those who could afford it. A return to the double phaetons of yore.
I just have no idea how they'd engineer it to retain the structural rigidity people expect from a Mercedes.
My site's page for the S-Class:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/S-Class.php
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Richard Warren 10:51AM (6/22/2006)
#3 Why would anyone buy an early 60's Continental 4 door convertible? Simple, they wanted one.
#4 "because open vehicles are best enjoyed with friends, crusising from beach to the night spot." Agreed and the folks buying this are not getting any younger and it's much easier getting in and out of.
The other thing folks forget, these are European designed and marketed around the world, North America is not the center of the universe, no matter what we might like to think.
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Noah 10:55AM (6/22/2006)
I'm sure this isn't the longest soft top ever produced. I know there are a couple old cars with seating for 9 (3 bench) that came in a drop top.
Perhaps the longest soft top MB has ever produced.
--Noah
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Shane 11:08AM (6/22/2006)
Oh,God.
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Chris 11:10AM (6/22/2006)
Hip-Hoppers rejoice!! This will be in every rap video for the next 3 years!
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Juan-Tan 11:43AM (6/22/2006)
I just wish Lincoln would bring the Continental back...
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PJ 12:56PM (6/22/2006)
Nothing exceeds like excess...
Then again, it is mildly interesting from a historical perspective to see the long, four-door convertible body style revived. With a few exceptions, it's been dead since the '30s.
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Alex Zhao 2:19PM (6/22/2006)
ugh that thing is hideous
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Keith 2:35PM (6/22/2006)
Thats AWFUL!!!
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Clarence 2:53PM (6/22/2006)
My last 4-door convertible was a 51 Frazer Manhattan. This Merc looks a lot like the year earlier 50 Kaiser and Frazer convertibles. I like variety. Go for it, DCX.
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Tom Design 7:57PM (6/22/2006)
Toyota's Lexus will copy this in 4 years, so don't worry. They have engineered a great luxury car, and copied every design from Mercedes.
One year, Mercedes delayed their release of the new S-class, and it threw off Lexus design team so much, because they were so afraid to release their own fresh design. The new Lexus always released a year
after the S-class for "copy-ability" looked almost exactly like their previous LS. It was a big joke for designers, to see Lexus smooth out the corners on their flagship car, and call it "all new!" The
Mercedes surprised and unveiled their new front-end look, and left the Lexus looking like an old car, even new. Never can you say a Mercedes looks like a Lexus/Toyota. We know who the copycat is.I love this car, btw.
I Have always loved big 5 passenger convertibles. 4-doors makes everything more comfy and luxurious. Set up a picnic in the back seat with your best couple
friends, and you and your partner in the front, head to the island, any island driveable, that's auto fun. Some of the best:
http://www.hispanianews.com/archive/2000/January14/la_auto_show/cielo_lg.jpg
http://www.lovefords.org/61linc/images/61_lincconv_pond.jpg
and one of the worst:
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/4-DoorVert/59-4-doorConvert-big.jpg
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