Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet [A217] (2015-2020)

Models Covered

2dr Cabriolet (4.0, 6.0 petrol]

Introduction

Back in 2015, the application of S-Class luxury values into the most exclusive part of the large convertible segment brought us a truly grand Mercedes conveyance. The fact that no other open-topped car offered as much space for four people was always this S-Class Cabriolet’s biggest draw - and there’s more. Emotive V8 power, exquisite cabin finishing and impressive media and safety technology. Something for the heart. Something for the head. Something really special.

The History

Mercedes are no stranger to big four-seat convertibles but at its launch in 2015, this S-Class Cabriolet was in fact the first really large full-luxury open-topped four seater the brand had produced since 1971. The first car since then to return the Stuttgart brand to the kind of exotic convertible sector populated by brands like Bentley and Aston Martin. In 2018, this model was significantly improved.

Mercedes-Benz has a long and rich history of producing open-topped luxury models, with a heritage in making them that goes right back to the 1920s. Most of these cars were exclusive conveyances for the monied elite, a market the company signalled it would be returning to when in 2006, it produced an eye-catching open-topped ‘Ocean Drive’ design study for the motor show circuit. The aristocracy was quick to form an orderly queue for the production ‘A217’-series version, which eventually arrived with ‘S-Class Cabriolet’ badging nine years later.

It’s unlikely that you’re going to be buying one of these because you can’t quite afford a Bentley Continental GTC or an Aston Martin DB11 Volante but V8 versions of this Mercedes do remain significantly more affordable than both those cars. Mind you, the same could also be said of this model’s more recently launched arch-rival, the BMW 8 Series Convertible. Mercedes thought their contender was a more exotic thing, likely to appeal to a slightly different kind of buyer. You might buy the BMW if you’d won the lottery. A likely S-Class Cabriolet customer in contrast, probably wouldn’t need to have won the lottery to fund this premium purchase.

The car looks special and its interior has a level of cabin technology that a Continental GT or DB11 owner from the 2015-2020 period could only dream about. Good reasons why this convertible might be a clever choice from its period in this class - and a very desirable way to reward yourself for a lifetime of endeavour.

You might want to try and stretch to the post-2018 facelifted versions, which gained the Stuttgart brand’s latest autonomous driving technology. And its lighter more response twin turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine for the two main variants on offer, the 469hp S560 version, and the alternative Mercedes-AMG S 63 variant, originally offered with 586hp, then upgraded with the facelift to 612hp. Both use different versions of the brand’s usual 9-speed auto gearbox. The alternative 6.0-litre V12-engined 630hp S 65 model stuck with an older-tech 7-speeder. The S-Class Cabriolet sold until 2020 and wasn’t replaced.

What You Get

A car of this kind needs to look opulent and exclusive - and most will agree that this one does. The multi-layered hood used for this model was the largest fitted to any convertible in the world at the time of this car’s original design and it opens or closes in 20 seconds. Take a seat up-front and as your restraint buckle glides out to you over your shoulder, you’ll take in the way that the design team moved to differentiate this car from its four-door stablemate in an attempt to create more of the kind of ‘wrap-around’ effect that cabriolet buyers will be looking for.

The key improvement on the revised post-2018 model was the installation of the brand’s sophisticated ‘Widescreen Cockpit’, two 12.3-inch high-resolution TFT displays blended seamlessly together, one for the instrument cluster and one for the ‘COMAND’ infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. What about the rear? Though, as an adult, you couldn’t really stretch out and luxuriate in the back, by convertible standards, this part of the car really is very spacious indeed. The boot is accessed by an electrically-operated gesture-controlled lid, which rises to reveal a 250-litre space.

What To Look For

Obviously buy with care – there are a lot of electrical features that could go wrong and you need to make sure that all the powered seat systems work properly and infotainment screen and instrument displays function as they should. Obviously, check the powered roof. And insist on a fully stamped-up dealer history and inspect the big alloy wheels for scuffs that could require a price reduction. There were a number of recalls for this model that you should be aware of. At one point in production, due to an issue with the wiring harness that sent an incorrect camshaft signal confusing the engine stop start system and causing it to cut out, some models had sometimes to be put in Park and restarted manually after coming to a stop.

On The Road

It’s possible to get yourself an S-Class Cabriolet in a form that goes very fast indeed but in truth, it’s not the kind of car in which you’d really want to rush. Better to throttle back and savour the calming, classy way this Mercedes eases you to your destination with the grace and luxury of a large, expensive super-yacht. Fortunately, it doesn’t handle like one of those. Actually, you can hustle this car through the corners with a surprising level of vigour, though the rather lifeless steering hides the real extent of this model’s tractional reserves. The 4MATIC 4WD system offered in other markets wasn’t ever available for ours. The revised version of this model did though, gain the Stuttgart brand’s latest autonomous driving technology. And its lighter more response twin turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine for the two main variants on offer, the 469hp S560 version and the alternative Mercedes-AMG S 63 variant, originally offered with 586hp, then upgraded with the facelift to 612hp. Both use different versions of the brand’s usual 9-speed auto gearbox. The alternative 6.0-litre V12-engined 630hp S 65 model sticks with an older-tech 7-speeder.

Overall

And in summary? Well Bentley and Aston Martin customers want to be noticed. S-Class Cabriolet customers don’t need to be. Here lies a different level of exclusivity. And perhaps this car epitomises it.