What's the news?
Following on from its revamped S-Class saloon, Mercedes has revealed the 2018 iteration of its Coupe and Cabriolet siblings, in both 'Benz and AMG guises. There's loads of new technology, an updated cabin, new engines and some styling updates. A world debut for the upgraded models is scheduled for next week's Frankfurt Motor Show.
Exterior
The exterior differences vary depending on which version you're looking at, as the regular models have received a relatively minor overhaul, extending to new bumpers, plenty of chrome detailing and new exhaust finishers. Saying that, all examples of the 2018 Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet come with cool new OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) rear lights, giving them a unique light signature day or night, plus a few other features such as a 'Coming Home' function.
The AMG Line cars have more presence thanks to meatier new front and rear bumpers, plus chromed pins for the front grille, while the Mercedes-AMG S 63 and S 65 variants each get their own embellishments, including the aggressive 'Panamericana' front grille first seen in the Mercedes-AMG GT R. New wheels are part of the update too, extending to 19-inch rims on the S 63 and 20-inch items on the S 65.
Interior
Inside, the biggest change brings the Widescreen Cockpit feature characterised by two 12.3-inch displays mounted behind a single piece of glass, with a huge amount of personalisation, all accessed by intuitive Touch Control Buttons on new steering wheel designs. On the centre console there's a rotary controller and touchpad, too, while Mercedes is very proud of its latest voice activation system it calls Linguatronic. Apparently, within its 450 voice commands, are options to alter the climate control and even the ambient lighting.
Mercedes has also updated the trim offerings, so buyers choose from high-gloss brown burr walnut wood, satin-finish grey ash wood or flowing lines designo magnolia wood, as well as three new upholstery options (designo Exclusive nappa leather AMG Line Plus porcelain/tizian red, designo Exclusive nappa leather porcelain/tizian red and designo Exclusive nappa leather AMG Line Plus Bengal red/black).
The AMG models get plenty of bespoke touches, including a new three-spoke 'Performance' steering wheel, an analogue clock by IWC and much more live vehicle information within the on-board computer.
Mechanicals
The S-Class Coupe is offered in S 450 4Matic, S 560 (with or without 4Matic four-wheel drive), AMG S 63 and AMG S 65 guises, while the Cabriolet is available as an S 560, AMG S 63 or S 65. The biggest news is the introduction of two versions of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, replacing the older 5.5-litre unit. In the S 560, this produces 469hp and 700Nm of torque, while the S 63 gets 612hp and 900Nm. The S 560, whether it has 4Matic or not, whether it's the Coupe or Cabriolet, does 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, while the S 63 dispatches the benchmark sprint in just 3.5 seconds - again, regardless of body style.
Propping up the range is the 3.0-litre V6-engined S 450 Coupe, 'making do' with 367hp and 500Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds. At the other end of the line-up, the Mercedes-AMG S 65 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12, putting out 630hp and a mammoth 1,000Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. Somewhat surprisingly, the rear-wheel-drive S 560 is the most efficient model, emitting 183g/km and using 8.0 litres of unleaded every 100km. That's been partly achieved by using cylinder cut-off technology. The S 65 is the most profligate, using 11.9 litres/100km while emitting 279g/km.
In terms of transmissions, all models get a nine-speed automatic, but that in the Mercedes-AMG S 63 is rather more exotic. It's called the AMG SpeedShift MCT 9G, while the S 65 uses the older AMG SpeedShift TCT 7G, as it can handle higher torque output.
The S-Class Cabriolet features semi-active air suspension (Airmatic) with variable damping control, while therer's the option of improved Magic Body Control, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and pre-tilts the suspension to reduce forces on the car's occupants. Other than the S 65 Coupe, the AMG cars get AMG Ride Control+. The S 65 has AMG Active Ride Control.
Also upgraded is the Intelligent Drive assistance system, with Active Distance Control Distronic and Active Steering Assist. This makes much more use of map and navigation data than before and, as well as the ability to control speed, steer and keep a safe distance from traffic, it can alter the speed of the car to suit upcoming junctions.
Anything else?
Buyers of the new S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet can specify the optional new Energizing comfort control system, which is all about wellness. It can, depending on what equipment has been fitted to the car, alter the climate control, fragrance, seat heating, seat massage, seat ventilation, panel heating and ambient lighting, giving the driver a choice of six 10-minute programs, called Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort and Training. There are even songs already stored in the car to go with each, or it can analyse your own music collection for those that are suitable from a bpm (beats per minute) point of view. I kid you not.