S600 based convertible concept at Detroit Auto Show!

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Even the flashiest of concept cars stands the chance of getting lost in the clutter at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, but the Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive convertible concept isn't likely to be one of them.

Described by Mercedes-Benz "as an awe-inspiring jewel on wheels," the Ocean Drive attempts to blend the old-world idea of a luxurious four-door convertible with the very new-world chassis of an S600 sedan. The result is a massive four-passenger drop top with 5.5-liter V12 power and all the latest in Mercedes-Benz technology.

Although Mercedes says the Ocean Drive concept has an all-new body, it doesn't look drastically different from a standard S-Class in its overall size and shape. The absence of a B-pillar is an obvious change along with the LED headlights up front. Mercedes says the grille is more upright and the paint is two-tone, but it's hard to tell from these preshow handout photos. The look of the long, uninterrupted side windows is striking.

A soft top was used to keep things simple as a retractable hardtop of that size would have made for a distracting and overly complex roof design. When in place, the top does a respectable job of maintaining the roofline of the standard sedan. But like most convertibles, the Ocean Drive looks better with the top folded, especially when it's stowed beneath its bird's eye maple cover.

A one-off design study, the Ocean Drive convertible is a not-so-subtle attempt by Mercedes-Benz to gauge the public's interest in a full-size, four-door drop top. We can't imagine how much a production version of the Ocean Drive would cost, but with the standard S600 running about $140,000, a convertible would easily top the $150K mark.

To see how the Ocean Drive holds up to public scrutiny, check back on January 7 when we'll have full coverage of the unveil from the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

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Reply to
greek_philosophizer
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FWIW it has to undercut the Bentley ragtop noticeably in price (at USD 150K it does, I think) and offer a lot more than the CLK.

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling

Reply to
Dori A Schmetterling

Seems like the new thing is a wood cover for the retracted roof. The new Rolls has one as well.

They both look good.

. Dori A Schmetterl> FWIW it has to undercut the Bentley ragtop noticeably in price (at USD 150K

Reply to
greek_philosophizer

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