Mercedes-Benz S500 Cabriolet First Look Review

The Mercedes-Benz S500 Cabriolet has made its way into the Indian market today through the CBU route. It is priced at Rs 2.25 crore (ex-showroom New Delhi). As announced earlier at its Indian Auto Expo debut, Mercedes has now kept their promise of putting the car on sale this year.

The carmaker is calling it as the 'most beautiful and exclusive S-Class cars of all time'. Well, we can't agree more as the car perfectly justifies this claim. Upfront, the crystal-infused LED headlamps and daytime running lights are standard Mercedes fare. However, the main highlight is the soft top that takes around 20 seconds to close and convert it into a gorgeous drop-top convertible. This fabric roof is packed above the automatically extending luggage compartment partition. Its open/close functions can be operated even at speeds of up to 60kmph. In fact, owners have the option of opening or closing it from outside the car too, using the electronic key.

The convertible sporting the three-pointed star borrows the platform, technology and powertrains from the S-Class coupe. Needless to say, the interior of this two-door luxury car is similar to its sibling - plush and comfortable. The convertible version’s interior, in addition, features the brand's THERMOTRONIC intelligent climate control system. With the help of 12 sensors and 18 actuators, the cabin's temperature is ideally maintained to keep the occupants comfortable whether the roof is open or closed.

Prospective buyers will be pampered by the various options of customising the interior. This includes a wide assortment of upholstery choices including leather, nappa leather and designo Exclusive nappa leather. The extensive customisation options also enable an owner to opt for a Warmth Comfort package, which includes heated seats, heated armrests and a heated multifunction steering wheel.

The S500 Cabriolet comes powered by a 4.7-litre, V8 biturbo petrol mill that puts out 443bhp of max power and 700Nm of torque. This engine comes mated to a nine-speed automatic (9G-TRONIC) transmission. And, when you put your foot down on the gas pedal, this convertible can easily sprint to 100kmph in just 4.6 seconds, further achieving its electronically limited top speed of 250kmph.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet becomes the latest member from the Stuttgart-based carmaker's line-up in India. It was first unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show marking the return of the open-top S-Class, which was sold from 1961 to 1971. Now the German luxury brand’s S-Class cabriolet competes with the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, Bentley Continental GTC and Maserati GranTurismo Convertible in our country.