Frankfurt show: Merc reveals two-door S-Class update

MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed its mildly updated S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet pair ahead of their public debut at the Frankfurt motor show next week, with revised model grades and technology first seen on the facelifted S-Class sedan from earlier this year.

The new two-door range is set to touch down in Australia in either the first or second quarter of next year, and may include a six-cylinder variant this time, however Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific is yet to confirm whether it will take the range-opener here.

Four powertrain options are being offered in the refreshed Coupe and three in the Cabriolet, with the 4.7-litre V8 in the outgoing S500 replaced by a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 in the newly-named S560 variant.

The Coupe range opens with the S450, which uses a biturbo V6 shared with the SL400 capable of 270kW/500Nm teamed to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes has chosen not to adopt the new range of inline six-cylinder engines from the S-Class sedan range, due to the difficulty of shoehorning the new donk into the coupe, which sits on a different platform to the four-door.

Nevertheless, the output of the all-alloy petrol is the same at 270kW/500Nm, which increases to 320kW/520Nm in the S500 variant.

Next up is the S560 in both Coupe and Cabriolet guise, which now employs the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 used extensively by Mercedes-AMG in models such as the GT, C63, E63 and GLC63.

Under the bonnet of the S560, the 4.0-litre unit puts out 345kW/700Nm, up 10kW on the old 4.7-litre unit.

In Coupe guise the new engine will also feature cylinder deactivation technology, shutting off one bank of cylinders under light loads.

The S63 AMG increases output of the same engine up to 450kW/900Nm, representing a 20kW increase over the old version despite engine displacement dropping by 1.5 litres.

Topping the range is the exclusive S65 AMG, which retains a 6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine with unchanged power outputs of 463kW and a hefty 1000Nm of torque, with the convertible set to continue as the most expensive offering the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range.

Other changes for the updated versions include OLED tail-lights as standard, which give the tail-light signature a floating impression while forming unique day and night designs.

Interior upgrades include the widescreen cockpit set-up, which uses two 12.3-inch screens to form the instrument cluster and infotainment screen, and can be customised by the driver.

Changes to the instrument cluster are controlled by touch control buttons on the steering wheel which can respond to swiping motions, while three different visual styles – Classic, Sporty and Progressive – are available for the widescreen cockpit.

Three new levels of wood trim and upholstery will also be available in the new range.

The optional Magic Body Control suspension system has been updated, which uses a more advanced stereo camera to read bends in the road and adjust suspension to dip into corners, working up to 180km/h. All S-Class Cabriolets are fitted with the Airmatic semi-active suspension system as standard.

New active safety systems include updated versions of the active distance control and active steering assist, which can now automatically adjust speed ahead of bends, junctions or roundabouts, by making better use of map and navigation data.

Infotainment systems have also been updated, which include wireless phone charging, photo-realistic 3D buildings and topographical maps, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility with the Smartphone Integration package.

Two new 20-inch ten-spoke AMG alloy wheel options are being offered in the new range, including a titanium grey with high-sheen finish or high-gloss black with high-sheen finish.

The new S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet range will land locally in the first half of 2018.