2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, Cabriolet Preview
CARS.COM
Competes with: Aston Martin DB11, Maserati GranTurismo, eventually the BMW 8 Series
Looks like: The S-Class’ 2017 styling update is trickling down throughout the lineup
Drivetrain: 463-horsepower, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 (S560); 603-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 (AMG S63); 621-hp, twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 (AMG S65); nine-speed automatic (seven-speed in the S65); rear- or all-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Mid-2018
Mercedes-Benz facelifted its S-Class sedan for 2018 and follows with freshened versions of the flagship model’s coupe and convertible for 2018. The S-Class coupe and cabriolet (convertible) get a minor facelift, updated interior, new powertrains, additional safety features and more self-driving technology. Both variants go on sale in mid-2018.
Related: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Preview
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Shop the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class near you
Exterior
The updates are subtle and match the sedan, and Mercedes-Benz says they give the coupe and convertible a sportier look. Highlights include a front bumper with a chrome-plated front splitter and large air inlets as well as revised side skirts and chrome-plated twin tailpipes. Exclusive to the coupe and convertible are standard organic light-emitting diode taillamps. Mercedes says it prints and illuminates wafer-thin layers of organic materials on a glass plate, and the 66 ultra-flat OLEDs are meant to act like floating elements inside the taillamp.
AMG models amp things up with even more dynamic-looking bumpers — especially the front unit, which sports large three-dimensional air inlets that each include two chrome-plated fins.
Interior
Inside, the coupe and convertible get some updated upholstery options, including some new trim and color choices. The major update is to the instrument panel, however: Previously, it was two separate pieces of glass; now it’s one long, solid piece that creates a wide, sweeping look and combines the reconfigurable gauge display into the multimedia screen. Both get high-resolution upgrades for better visuals.
Like the sedan, the coupe and convertible also get the latest-generation of the Comand multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Also new is a Near Field Communication feature; it transforms a smartphone into a digital vehicle key and features wireless charging via a charging pad in the center console.
Another new cabin highlight is an Energizing Comfort option. According to Mercedes, it ties a number of comfort systems together to boost passenger wellness. Occupants can choose from one of six preprogrammed settings: Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort and Training (of which there are three options: muscle relaxation, muscle activation and balance). The system combines the climate control (including the fragrance delivery system), active seats (with heat, ventilation and massage functions), console heating, LED ambient lighting and special musical themes to adjust the mood of the cabin while driving or when stopped.
Each of the programs runs for 10 minutes and combines preselected music that’s already loaded into the multimedia system or can be set to run with the driver’s choice of music, evaluated by the system based on beats per minute to suit any given program. The central display screen shows a unique graphic, while the internal ambient lighting is adjusted along with the internal temperature depending on the lighting selected.
Users can set the mood with 10 “color worlds” and combine 64 other colors in five levels and four zones, using the interior ambient lighting as a design element.
Under the Hood
Mercedes will offer three models. The S560 coupe and convertible get power from a 463-horsepower, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8; AMG S63 models use a 603-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8; and AMG S65 models use a 621-hp, twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12. The S560 coupe comes with all-wheel drive while the S560 cabriolet has rear-wheel drive. As on the sedan, a nine-speed automatic is standard on all models except the S65, which uses a seven-speed automatic.
The coupe and convertible also get the sedan’s suspension upgrades with an advanced Magic Body Control system. Mercedes says it uses more aggressive, higher-resolution cameras to detect the road ahead and adjust the adaptive suspension in milliseconds to maintain a smooth, comfortable ride. It also helps control nosedive on braking and squat on acceleration, aiming for a level vehicle for maximum comfort.
The Curve feature returns for the coupe this year, and it’s new for the convertible. It tilts the vehicle’s body up to 2.65 degrees in the direction of a turn, minimizing centrifugal force on passengers in a curve.
Safety
The coupe and convertible also get the refreshed sedan’s Intelligent Drive driver system, which includes Active Steering Assist and Active Distance Assist Distronic. The features use navigation system map data to predict upcoming road features, such as a tight bend, allowing the car to slow automatically on the highway before it negotiates the turn. Mercedes-Benz intends the system to provide a more comfortable level of support for the driver, with smoother operation of the distance-keeping cruise control and active steering assist features, as well as speed adjustments ahead of curves and improved lane change and active emergency stop assist features.
