Forty-five years. That’s how long it has been since Mercedes last rolled out a four-seater S-Class Cabriolet. In the interim, the three-pointed star had relegated top-down duties to the evergreen SL, supplemented in the past couple of decades by the SLK and CLK Cabrio (superseded in 2009 by the E-Class Cabriolet).
However, none of these filled the void left by the 1971 demise of the last S-Class convertible — a stately, two-door soft-top that offered all the luxury of Mercedes’s flagship saloon, but with the added allure of al fresco cruising capability.
The 1970s oil crisis may have served as the final nail in the coffin for the venerable S-Class Cabrio, but even when oil prices subsequently stabilised, Mercedes didn’t see fit to revisit the theme. Until now.
No doubt eyeing the healthy business the likes of Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce et al have been generating with their ultra-premium four-seat rag-tops, Mercedes has had a renewed crack at the genre, using as its starting point the slinky S-Class Coupe that has been around for the past couple of years.
However, creating a convertible out of a coupé isn’t simply a matter of slicing the roof off and saying: “There you go”. For starters, the massive hole left by where the hardtop used to be severely compromises rigidity, unless otherwise compensated for.
The solution for the gargantuan S Cabrio was to fabricate the rear floor from aluminium and apply chassis reinforcements elsewhere, with the result that its torsional stiffness allegedly matches that of its coupé sibling — and that, too, without piling on any extra weight.
Also unique to the Cabrio is a pyrotechnic-activated rollover-protection system, whereby a pair of rollbars deploy within milliseconds behind the rear head restraints if the car’s raft of electronic sensors detect it’s about to end up shiny-side down.
The S-Class Cabriolet has strong visual links to the coupé it’s derived from, and its multilayer soft-top has been well integrated into the design, which means the car’s rakish profile remains untarnished even with the roof raised. You can lower the top at speeds of up to 50kph via a switch on the centre console, with the whole operation taking less than 20 seconds.
In case you’re wondering, the soft top doesn’t only come in basic black — you can also order it in dark blue, beige and dark red. There are myriad other trim and colour options elsewhere in the car, too, so there’s ample scope for personalisation.
To minimise buffeting with the roof down, there’s an Aircap device that deflects air over the cabin, and other features to keep you toasty warm (obviously not so much an issue in our region) include Airscarf neck-level heating, along with heated seats and armrests.
Depending on the thickness of your wallet and the severity of your need for speed, you can choose from the “entry-level” S500 Cabriolet (Dh615,000), or splash out more extravagantly on the S63 AMG (Dh781,000) or V12-powered S65 AMG (Dh1 million).
I sample the first two of these at the international launch in Nice, and my impression is that the base-model S500 offers more than enough grunt and panache to satisfy most would-be buyers. Its twin-turbo 4.7L V8 punches out 455hp and a towering 700Nm of torque from just 1,800rpm, which means effortless urge is never more than an ankle twitch away.
If you like stats, then you’ll be positively swayed by a 0-to-100kph sprint of 4.6 seconds and a top whack of 250kph that’s achievable with ridiculous ease. The melodious, silky-smooth V8 is hooked up to an equally seamless nine-speed automatic, so the overall impression is of being propelled down the road at express pace in your favourite leather sofa.
Standard kit includes Airmatic adaptive air suspension, which offers a comfort setting for when you’re in the mood for cruising, as well as a sports mode when a tantalising twisty road beckons. There are plenty of the latter once I’m clear of the urban environs of Nice, and it’s immediately apparent that this is one of those vehicles that has a knack of shrinking around you.
Given that the S500 Cabriolet tips the scale at about two tonnes and stretches more than five metres from bumper to bumper, I was expecting relatively flaccid dynamics and leisurely responses. The reality is otherwise. The S500 Cabriolet proves nimble, tactile and alarmingly rapid across challenging mountain roads, which explains the foolish grin that I can’t wipe off my face at our lunch stop.
The afternoon halt only serves to boost the feel-good factor, because the ruby-black S500 parked near our outdoor table looks so darn good. The proportions are perfect. And so, too, is the rest of the car — it cossets and titillates in equal measure.
It was worth the 45-year wait for this. Mercedes has absolutely nailed it.
motoring@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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The five pillars of Islam
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