Frankfurt show: Mercedes teases S-Class Coupe

MERCEDES-BENZ will premiere the Concept S-Class Coupe at next week’s Frankfurt motor show, but the German company has released a teaser sketch to tide us over in the interim.

Spy shots of the new flagship grand tourer have been doing the rounds for some time, but today’s post to Mercedes’ Facebook page is the first official glimpse we’ve had of the car primed to replace the current C216 CL-Class.

Well, it will replace the CL-Class if Benz’s social media post is to be taken literally: “The Concept S-Class Coupé. Looks promising? More to come soon!” it said.

If the sketch is any real indication, the uber-luxury two-door, four-seater Bentley Continental GT rival will feature more muscular and aggressive styling than its predecessors.

The large rectangular grille bleeds into a sleeker set of headlights, while the bulging bonnet, narrow glasshouse, fat rear haunches and heavy side sculpting give the car a hint of theatre. The vents in the front three-quarter panels are reminiscent of, albeit toned down from, the SLS supercar.

Little else is known, although it’s a safe bet the Coupe stands to use the same V8 engines as the sedan on which it based, plus innovations such as its low-energy LED lights, camera-based predictive suspension and real-world satellite navigation imagery.

Further additions to the S-Class line-up will reportedly include a convertible reminiscent of the 2007 Ocean Drive concept, and an extra-long-wheelbase version pitched at China, possibly under the 'Pullman' name.

If things progress as expected, the S-Class Coupe will appear in production form at the 2014 Geneva motor show in March.