The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size luxury car/grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes-Benz from 2014 to 2020. The C217 model succeeded the CL-Class and is the last version of the S-Class coupé. It is also the first Mercedes coupé to carry the S-Class name since 1992.
Development
Concept S-Class Coupé (2013)
The Concept S-Class Coupé was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show to showcase the appearance of the upcoming S-Class coupé model. It features an all-new design compared to the previous CL-Class model, utilizing the brand's Sensual Purity design philosophy first developed for the W222 S-Class in 2009.
The production version of the S-Class coupé was announced and unveiled in February 2014, with its first public showing at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014. Mercedes showed the S500 model at the Geneva show. At the New York Auto Show in April 2014, Mercedes made the first public showing of the S 63 AMG 4MATIC model. The S 65 AMG model, which includes a V12 Bi-Turbo engine, was unveiled in July 2014.
Safety and technology
It features all the latest driver assistance and safety systems introduced in 2013 on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, including Traffic Sign Assist with wrong-way driving warning function.
Suspension
The C217 coupé continues to offer the AIRMATIC semi-active air suspension as standard. The C217 introduced an update to the hydraulic fully active Magic Body Control suspension, which allows the vehicle to lean up to 2.5 degrees into a turn, similar to the way a motorcycle leans into a turn. The leaning is intended to counter the effect of centrifugal force on the occupants and is available only on rear-wheel drive models.
Lighting
Like the W222 sedan, the C217 coupé includes full-LED lighting on the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Optional headlight features include 47 Swarovski crystals in each headlamp: 30 crystals for the turn signals and 17 for the daytime running lights.
Models
S 500/S 550
The C217 S-Class coupé launched with the S 500 model, known as the S 550 in the United States market. The vehicle features a twin-turbocharged 4.6L engine paired with a 7-speed or a 9-speed automatic transmission. In most markets, the S 500 is fitted to a rear-wheel drive drivetrain with optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive; in the US, 4MATIC is standard.
S 63 AMG
Through the Mercedes-AMG sub-brand, the second S-Class coupé model launched is the S 63 AMG. Featuring a 5.5L turbocharged V8, the S 63 is the performance model V8 within the S-Class lineup. Like the S 500, the S 63 is offered with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, though with only all-wheel drive inthe United States.
S 65 AMG
The S 65 AMG is currently the top-of-the-line S-Class coupé model. It features a 6.0L turbocharged V12 Mercedes-Benz M279 engine paired with a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. The V12 model is available only with rear-wheel drive.
Convertible
The convertible version of the S-Class, which was unveiled at the International Motor Show Germany in 2015, has many lightweight reinforcements such that its driving style is similar to that of the coupé version. Safety is maintained by a roll-over system, which is pyrotechnically actuated behind the rear passengers if required. It is the first luxury 4-seater open Mercedes since 1971 and first 4-seater open Mercedes with an engine larger than 3-litres since the W111 280SE 3.5 ; pagoda roadsters with the optional rear seats are not regarded as 4-seaters.
Maybach S 650 Cabriolet
Based on the convertible version of the AMG S 65, the Maybach S 650 Cabriolet will be produced in a limited run of 300 units, each priced at $335,000. or Euro 273,000 without tax.
Facelift
In September 2017, the S-Class Coupé facelift was launched at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. The outgoing S500/550 nameplate has been replaced by the S560. A whole new range of engines have been introduced. The new M177 4.0 V8 Biturbo replaces the old M157 5.5 V8 Biturbo in the AMG S63 4MATIC+. 4MATIC+ All Wheel Drive is now standard in the AMG S63 featuring drift mode. The S560 uses a detuned version of the same engine, dubbed the M176. A new Europe-only base model, the S450 4MATIC, uses the M256 I6 Turbo. A new 9G-Tronic transmission is now standard across the range, with the exception of the AMG S65, which still uses the 7G-Tronic.
Discontinuation
The C217 will be dropped in 2020 due to slow sales.
