The Flagship Mercedes-AMG S-Class Convertible Costs Almost £200,000

We're not going to pretend the open-top S-Class is likely to be anything but wonderful, but, by the old gods and the new, it's on the expensive side

Matt Kimberley

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

The Flagship Mercedes-AMG S-Class Convertible Costs Almost £200,000

Prices and specs have been confirmed for the new Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet, and you’ll pay handsomely for all that creamy loveliness.

There’s just one non-AMG version. The S 560 AMG Line replaces the old S 500 and uses a new and smaller but still mighty 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, codenamed M176. As well as a 463bhp peak it features cylinder deactivation courtesy of clever valve control, where the inlet and exhaust valves on cylinders two, three, five and eight stay shut.

It can deactivate those four cylinders between 900 and 3250rpm in C and E driving modes, dependant on throttle position. Poke it too hard and you’re back to the full eight bangs. Drive it gently, Mercedes says, and you could see 31.4mpg. Hmmm. You’re much more likely to see the truth in the 4.6-second 0-62mph acceleration claim and the easy 155mph limited top speed.

Above the S 560 is the Mercedes-AMG S 63, which uses the existing, harder-edged 4.0-litre M177 V8 from the S-Class coupe. With more boost and more really really angry about something, the M177 blares out 604bhp and 664lb ft of pure Stuttgart muscle, all of which heads to the 20-inch rear tyres.

Both cars share a nine-speed automatic gearbox with the AMG S 65, the range-topper and sole V12 in the line-up. The 6.0-litre V12 is more about luxury and exclusivity than power, reaching 62mph just a tenth of a second faster than the S 63’s 4.2 seconds, and sharing the same limited top speed of either 155mph or, for a price, 186mph.

The V12 is hand-built, though, and for some buyers nothing less will do. Its 621bhp is barely any higher than the S 63’s output, but if money is no object the noise of the V12 could be priceless.

Speaking of prices, the entry point for the range is £115,910, which is a lot even for the privilege of this much luxury and that much sky. The Premium equipment line can be added to that for £4995 so that you get better leather, a 360-degree camera setup, the Warmth Comfort package, Front Seat Comfort package, Air Balance package (an air filtration, freshener and oxygen ionisation system) and Energising Comfort package. We’re not even going to look that last one up, for fear of what it might be.

The S 63 starts at £140,610 and the flagship S 65 is knocking on the door of £200,000, at £197,510 before options. That’s serious money, but we’d imagine it’s going to be a serious car.

Comments

I’d still take the V12

That’s a heck of a lot of money considering you could have a Bentley Continental GT or Aston Martin DB11 for considerably less, both of which I think I’d prefer over this. Interesting to see what the BMW 8-series will add to the battle.

They don’t have the same goal, nor the same target. The DB11 is a tourer-biaised sports car, and the Continental GT is a bit the center between grand tourers and sports cars: it’ll do what you want, but its main territory is roads. The S-Class Coupe/Convertible, however, is more a grand tourer which is not track-oriented, but which has a lot of power to go at the speed you want, when you want. Personnally, I’d just rather take an E-Class Coupe/Convertible: I just find the S-Class to be too big.

Don’t forget the fact that the continental GT or the Aston Martin DB11 are considered supercars,not to mention they perform better, you’re getting much more bang for your buck if you buy the Aston or bentley

My GOD does it look majestic. That’s why the Star will always be the best ✌️

I simply cannot justify the S65 V12 over the MUCH less expensive S63, it’s not worth it.

Same. I think in general the 63 cars are for those who want the best experience, and the 65s are for those who just want to know they have the most expensive version of the car out there. The V12 has barely any extra power, and all that weight in the front cancels out any benefits.

its quieter. And that matters, because this is a luxury car with 2 doors, not a sports car.

TBH, I’d take the S63 over the S65. The S65 just doesn’t have much of a performance benefit over the S63 to justify it’s higher price, not to mention it’s heavier. Besides, the S63 can be had with AWD, which the S65 doesn’t.

We only get the RWD in the UK…

the First thing to upon getting the V12 is to take it to brabus. Keep the classy looks with the naughty bits under the hood.

I love the exterior design, but WHY THE HELL IS MERCEDES STAYING WITH THAT STUPID DASHBOARD??????? It looks like two terribly tacky iPad tablets stuck to the front of the car and it’s AWFUL. Not only will it be exuberantly expensive to replace when it inevitable goes wrong (Mercedes are not as reliable as the competition), in even 5-7 years, it will look SO INCREDIBLY STUPID. We’ll see this in 5 years as we see mullets now.