Price cuts for Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, Cabrio

A price drop and heart transplant for some models and another step along the road to autonomy are the highlights of the facelifted 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet range now available in Australia.

As part of the first update since the new-generation two-door S-Class rollout started in 2015, there’s a new model designation, with the Mercedes-Benz S 560 replacing the S 500, and new V8 engines in both that model and the Mercedes-AMG S 63.

The S 65 flagship continues with its existing 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, thumping out 463kW and 1000Nm.

Pricing for the new S 560 and S 63 in both coupe and cabriolet bodystyles has dropped compared to their predecessors. The S 65 has risen in price by more than $7000, but the cabrio drops about $1000.

Out here in pleb-land the price cuts sound quite substantial as they are up to $44,000 depending on the model. But when you’re paying more than $300,000 for a car it’s probably not that noticeable.

The new pricing is at the bottom of this story. It kicks off at $314,900 for the S 560 Coupe and that’s the model expected to be the big seller. The S 65 Cabriolet caps the range at a cool $520,500.

Benz isn’t saying why it has dropped pricing, but presumably the impending arrival of the new BMW 8 Series has got something to do with it — and maybe also the impending AMG GT 4-Doo, which could play cannibal.

The two-door four-seat S-Class Coupes and Cabriolets will also very soon add route-based speed adaptation. When adaptive cruise control is engaged this system uses the GPS to vary the car’s speed in corners without the driver having to touch the pedals.

Combine that with existing hands-free capability and your S-Class is one step closer to full autonomy, although Mercedes-Benz spokesman Jerry Stamoulis made clear it has limitations.

“It’s not something you rely on — it is an assistance system,” he said. In other words, don’t turn it on and start reading the paper!

Originally scheduled to launch with the range update, Benz now isn’t sure whether it will be weeks or months before route-based speed adaptation comes online. But it will call S-Class Coupe and Cabrio owners back in to have it activated when it is.

It is also expected to be available before long with the updated C-Class, the all-new A-Class and the recently launched third-generation CLS.

Check out our drive assessment of the S 560 and S 63 coupe here, including a brief trial of route-based speed adaptation.

Another driver-assist feature new to the two-door S-Class is Traffic Sign Assist, which combines navigation and camera data to display the speed limit and visually remind the driver if it is exceeded. It will not slow the car to the limit autonomously … not yet, anyway.

Pre-Safe sound is also added to the safety package. This system plays static at about 80 decibels when it senses a collision is about to happen, reducing potential ear drum damage from crash noise.

AMG Line exterior and designo interior trims are now standard across the S Coupe and Cabrio range.

Specific new S 560 equipment includes Multicontour seats with inflating and deflating chambers; Benz’s hippy energizing comfort control that uses music, seat settings, temperature and fragrance to alter the mood of the occupants (sounds like LSD only legal); a new steering wheel, an upgraded dual-screen Widescreen cockpit, wireless phone charging, ambient interior lighting with 64 colours; AMG Line trim and 20-inch AMG alloy wheels.

The S 560 Cabriolet now gets the Warmth Comfort Package as standard, including heatable armrests, front centre console and steering wheel.

The S 560s trade in the S500’s 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 for a 4.0-litre biturbo eight. Power is up 10kW to 345kW, while torque stays the same at 700Nm.

Driving its rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, the S 560 accelerates to 100km/h in an unchanged 4.6 seconds and averages 8.5L/100km (down from 8.6). The Cabriolet’s fuel consumption claim is 9.9L/100km.

The S 63 gets a 450kW/900Nm version of the same 4.0-litre engine. It replaces a 430kW/900Nm version of the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 that is being phased out of service by AMG.

Mated to AMG’s Speedshift MCT nine-speed transmission (the old car had a seven-speed) and driving the rear wheels, it accelerates to 100km/h in 4.2sec and averages 9.0L/100km. The Cabriolet averages 9.9L/100km.

The S 65’s outputs remain the same, as does its seven-speed auto, rear-wheel drive and 4.1sec 0-100km/h time. The combined fuel consumption claim for both Coupe and Cabrio is 12.0L/100km. No wonder this engine is going out of service soon.

All AMG models in the S-Class Coupe/Cabrio line-up now get the Panamericana grille with vertical bars and prominent three-pointed star at its centre.

The S 63s add the AMG Driver’s Package, which lifts the governed top seed to 300km/h, an AMG performance steering wheel, illuminated floor sill panels, 20-inch AMG forged wheels, a high-performance composite braking system including red brake callipers and a sports exhaust.

The Coupe alone swaps Benz’s modestly-named Magic Body Control for Airmatic sports suspension.

Get up to the S 65s and an LED lighting system with Swarovski crystals is standard equipment. Kid you not. There’s night view assist plus for both and a panoramic fixed glass sunroof for the Coupe.

Obviously, all these new bits and bobs join a long list of standard equipment that includes Burmester sound systems, nappa leather, eight airbags and so on … and on … and on.

How much is the 2018 S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet?
Mercedes-Benz S 560 Coupe — $314,900s
Mercedes-Benz S 560 Cabriolet — $336,900
Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe — $370,500
Mercedes-AMG S 63 Cabriolet — $399,900
Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe — $508,900
Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet — $520,500