Mercedes-Benz New Zealand is adding the S-Class coupe and cabriolet to its line-up with the prices starting from $257,000 and topping off at $330,100 for the AMG version.
The two-door versions of the premium large car from Mercedes, join the S-Class sedan that last year under went a mid-life technological and design facelift.
A year on, the coupe and convertible facelifts are now available in New Zealand – and combined with the sedan, indicatively prove why Mercedes produces the best high-end large passenger car in its segment.
The line-up starts with $257,600 for the S560 coupe, and $303,300 for the AMG S63 version. The cabriolet starts at $276,100 for the S560 model with the soft-top AMG S63 at $330,100.
The S-Class range has an extensive driver assistance package including active distance assist distronic, pre-safe brake with pedestrian detection and pre-safe sound – a feature that prepares your eardrums if an accident is imminent.
The vehicles also get route based speed adaption that allows them to adjust to curves, round about sand T-intersections and is ideal for sweeping bends at speed. It’s one of those features that you will easily take for granted as it does the work so effortlessly.
Read more: Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan road test
As you are buying a premium vehicle you also get delightful features such as energising control. You can dial in ‘freshness’, ‘warmth’, ‘vitality’ and ‘joy’ and the soundtrack and lighting adjusts accordingly. This feature is ideal for long trips, especially the training function that talks you through some exercises to keep you alert. I’ve tried it and it’s a lifesaver.
The coupe and cabriolet also get a windscreen cockpit with two displays at 12.3in plus the new steering wheel design with touch controls to adjust the stereo or activate distronic.
The S560 coupe and cabriolet are powered by a direct injection 4.0-litre, eight-cylinder engine producing 345Kw of power and 700Nm of torque, combined with a nine-speed transmission.
The S63 models have the AMG sports suspension system paired with a 4.0-litre, eight-cylinder engine pumped up to 450kW and 900Nm of torque.
I tested the S560 coupe last week and drove the convertible at the Australia launch recently. The only thing that differentiates these two vehicles from the sedan is the lack of two extra doors.
For a start, no other brand – premium or luxury – can compete for the S-Class’s massaging seats. Every time I sat in the coupe during my test period, the first thing I did was turn on the massaging function, alternating between invigorating or classic massage, while a passenger preferred the heated stone shoulder massage.
The S-Class coupe and convertible also now gain heated centre console and arm rest – because, well why not!
The narrow grille belies the actually size of the S-Class coupe while the interior space provides enough room for four adults.
While I love coupes, my heart always belongs to cabriolets, and the S-Class is a head-turner.
I drove past a high school at the Victoria, Australia launch and I stopped at a pedestrian crossing to let a group of students walked across. Four of them yelled, “I love your car”, while a cheeky one – and potential entrepreneur yelled, “how much?”.
At that stage I couldn’t tell them, but now with the prices announced, I can: “Study really hard and you’ll one day hopefully own one.”
