2017 Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet Preview

CARS.COM

Competes with: Bentley Continental GTC, Rolls-Royce Dawn, maybe a nice speedboat

Looks like: The ultimate S-Class cabriolet

Drivetrain: 621-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12, seven-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: TBD

More 2016 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Mercedes-Benz is finally adding to its Mercedes-Maybach brand with a new model designed to be one of its most exclusive vehicles. The 2017 Mercedes-Maybach S650 cabriolet might just be the most luxurious droptop the automaker has ever offered. And if you want one of these rare and undoubtedly expensive new land yachts, you’d better get friendly with your local Mercedes dealer fast — only 300 of them are slated to be made and only 75 of those are designated for the U.S.

Exterior

From the outside, the changes from the normal S550 cabrio to the Maybach S650 cabrio are subtle. First of all, a new front bumper is fitted with a restyled lower portion. Chrome bits have spread throughout the vehicle, adding some glitz to the already long, low, flowing form. There will only be three color combinations offered for the U.S. market:  Zircon Red with Porcelain/Black interior and black top, Cote d’Azur Blue with Porcelain/Saddle interior and beige top, and design Diamond White with Porcelain/Yacht Blue interior with dark blue top. Exclusive 20-inch bichromatic Maybach wheels are standard and Maybach badging is affixed to the front fenders to round out the exterior upgrades.

Interior

It’s the interior where things really get special. The theme for the Maybach S650 cabrio is “flowing lines,” represented in everything from the waterfall-like pattern of the leather seat perforations to the special structural inlays in the wood or black lacquer trim on the dash, doors and console. Maybach logos abound inside, too, with embroidered M badges on the front seats, embossed on the back of the head restraints, and inlaid into the center console cover and lower steering-wheel bezel. Deep-pile carpeted floor mats cushion your feet, while a “1 of 300” moniker is stamped into the cupholders.

But fancier leather isn’t all you get with your Maybach S650 cabrio. That same seat leather has also been sewn into a quartet of custom matching luggage — two large travel bags and two smaller “lifestyle” bags — all of which fasten together and are shaped to fit into the cabrio’s trunk. A diamond-quilted fabric car cover in the same color as the car’s soft top also comes with the S650 cabrio and also features an embroidered Maybach emblem to keep the dust off of the car when you’re out driving something else from the stable. To finish it all off, you also get a key ring made out of the same leather as your car and luggage, and a certificate of authenticity signed by Dieter Zetsche, the guy who runs Mercedes-Benz.

Under the Hood

Powering the ultimate Maybach convertible is the twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 found under the hood of the Maybach S600 sedan, making 621 horsepower. The only transmission offered is a standard seven-speed automatic, sending power to the rear wheels. As on the sedan, an Airmatic suspension will be standard to help you waft over road imperfections with nary a notice.

Mercedes-Benz has not yet given an on-sale date for the new Maybach S650 cabrio, but given its expected rarity, they are likely to be spoken for as soon as they go on sale.