Detroit show: Benz confirms limited S63 for Oz

THE sales success of performance-honed AMG models in Australia has helped lock in a small allocation of the strictly limited version of the Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet, revealed at the Detroit motor show this week.

Dubbed the S63 4Matic Cabriolet Edition 130, the high-end drop-top was launched to mark the 130th anniversary of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler inventing the automobile in 1886.

Just 130 will be built, with Australia receiving an allocation of up to five examples that are likely to be quickly snapped up by well-heeled buyers, when they roll into the country in the fourth quarter, about the same time as the regular S63.

Pricing has not been announced for the S-Class Cabriolet range, but buyers can expect a premium for the Edition 130 over the more standard S63 drop-top.

In Germany the price will be €226,457 ($A352,763), but in Australia it is likely to sit well above the price of the hardtop S63 which retails for $408,610 plus on-road costs.

A number of visual tweaks differentiate it from the regular S63, including the use of 'alubeam silver' paint finish – similar to what was used on the SLS-AMG supercar – matte black 20-inch 10-spoke wheels and a Bordeaux red fabric roof.

It also gains 'designo' Nappa leather upholstery in Bengal red/black, but it is also available in crystal grey/black, while the interior trim comes with special AMG carbon/piano lacquer black.

Other special features include red brake callipers, special floor mats, a badge in the centre console and an engraving on the steering wheel bezel, which highlight the model's limited status.

Each example comes with a tailor-made AMG indoor car cover to protect it from dust and other nasties. It has “Edition 130 – 1 of 130” embroidered on it.

The exclusive cabrios also come with a Welcome Package during the handover of the keys that includes an edition 130 badge keyring and an aluminium box for the vehicle's key.

There are no tweaks to the engine or performance, with the Edition 130 using the familiar 5.5-litre biturbo V8 pumping out 430kW at 5500rpm and 900Nm at 2250-3750rpm, for a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

The S63 has the 4Matic all-wheel drive system and is matched with a seven-speed Speedshift automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

Mercedes-AMG chairman of the board Tobias Moers highlighted the history of Benz drop-tops, describing the Edition 130 as a fitting tribute.

“The first automobiles from Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were open vehicles,” he said. “Mercedes-AMG honours this achievement of the founding fathers with this highly exclusive cabriolet, and demonstrates the developments the automobile has undergone in the last 130 years, developments which would have been inconceivable at that time.”