Mercedes-Benz S-class Convertible

WHAT IT IS: 
 The four- or five-seat convertible S-class is the spiritual heir to Boss Hogg's white Cadillac (without the longhorns). Like the Ocean Drive convertible concept that appeared at the Detroit show in 2007, the S-class convertible will use a large retractable softtop. Unlike the concept, it will have only two doors. The production car won't look like the slab-sided concept, either, instead following the CLS, CLA, and various other Mercedes models down the path of complex surfacing. 

WHY IT MATTERS: 
 This car is part of a three-model strategy to push the S-class upmarket and claim some of the ground the euthanized Maybach was supposed to cover. After all, what says money like a gracious, powerful, ultra-luxury convertible? 

PLATFORM :
  As its name indicates, the convertible rides on the next S-class-sedan platform, which also will underpin the S-class coupe (formerly known as the CL-class). It is constructed primarily of steel, with aluminum used for the doors, hood, and trunklid to save weight. As with the current S-class, the convertible will employ an air suspension. 



POWERTRAIN: 
 Both V-8 and V-12 engines figure in the next S-class plan, and there's every reason to expect this high-end softtop version to follow suit. 

COMPETITION:
  Bentley's Continental GTC and the Maserati GranCabrio. 

WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG: An exploding sun could render top-down driving unpleasant. Otherwise, we can't think of anything. 

ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AND PRICE: The S-class sedan arrives in fall 2013, the coupe in the fall of 2014, and the convertible a year after that. Figure on spending about $150,000 for the droptop.