It's been rumored to be in the works for over five months, but today, it's finally official. Mercedes has taken the wraps off its much ballyhooed "Concept Ocean Drive", a car that up until yesterday was known simply as the S-Class convertible. 

Based on the Mercedes S600, the Concept Ocean Drive is a unique, one-off creation designed with the intent of reviving the tradition of large luxury convertibles.  Not having to work with production specifications, Mercedes' designers were free to develop what they thought the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible would be composed of, and the result is the vehicle pictured before you.

As you can see, to some degree, the Concept Ocean Drive is similar in appearance to a traditional S-Class. A number of changes, however, including a slighty-more-classically-inspired body, two-tone paint, larger radiator grille, and LED headlamps and taillights separate the Concept Ocean Drive from its traditional S-Class brethren.  Of course, the most notable change is the transition of the S600 to a convertible, which thanks to a long side window opening uninterrupted by a B-pillar or window frames, creates a "seamless continuity between the interior and exterior."

But enough talk. You want to see the Concept Ocean Drive, so see it ye shall. To learn more, keep reading for a number of photos showcasing the new Mercedes S-Class convertible, followed by the full press release detailing its various design elements.

Enjoy.






















OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes-Benz design study: Concept Ocean Drive design study – the most comfortable and elegant modern-day convertible

Detroit, Dec 20, 2006
At the North American Auto Show Detroit, Mercedes-Benz is adding to its reputation as a pioneer and design trendsetter among premium carmakers with the presentation of its Concept Ocean Drive four-door convertible. This study is a one-off creation by Mercedes-Benz which revives the tradition of large luxury convertibles. Not having to work to a design brief or production specifications left the designers free to get on with the job of developing the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible.

The Concept Ocean Drive is an aweinspiring jewel on wheels. As a four-door convertible, it belongs in a luxury genre that has almost disappeared from our roads. Like the luxury convertibles of years gone by, this showpiece from Stuttgart features the maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness. To put it another way, it represents automobile culture at its most attractive and desirable.

The one-off special has an all-new body with an almost classic flavour and with clearly defined lines and vibrant two-tone paintwork which are exceptionally charismatic. Although on one level the Concept Ocean Drive displays the restraint of an elite and aristocratic automobile, it is also an open invitation to go on a "top-less" cruise along the world's finest ocean promenades. Luxurious, exotic materials have been crafted with consummate skill to create a showpiece of unparalleled perfection.

Mercedes-Benz design studies – a stylistic journey into the future

The Concept Ocean Drive isn't just designed to inspire dreams and fantasies; it also serves a very practical purpose. Because design studies are always a good opportunity for designers to play around with less familiar themes, to see things from new angles and to explore new ideas. Not just a pure design exercise, they are also a way of stimulating a closer dialogue with customers and of trying out new ideas on the general public. This helps the designers get a feel for future styling trends and to develop and implement new design idioms.

The unique luxury convertible design study from Stuttgart turns a "dream car" vision into reality. At the same time it is also an affirmation of the design excellence and values of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including the brand's traditional basic principles like excellent build and quality, comfort, effortless superiority, value retention and safety. These values have now been joined by three further key messages: passion, fascination and innovation. The Mercedes-Benz design philosophy both perpetuate proven styling themes associated with the brand and at the same time combines them with new and surprising ideas and forms.

Styling conveys effortless superiority and elegance

Apart from the four doors, the outward distinguishing marks of the concept car include a very large and upright radiator grille, LED headlamps and taillights, two-tone paintwork and a striking interplay between taut lines and large, restful surfaces. This lends the one-off special an air of effortless superiority, power, elegance and forward-flowing energy.

The long side-window opening which, typically of a convertible, is not interrupted by a B-pillar or window frames, ensures seamless continuity between the exterior and the interior, even when the top is up. Extensive use of high-value materials –such as finest-quality leather, 3D-effect materials and large bird's eye maple trim panels (in the interior and even on the soft-top compartment cover) – and many other thoughtfully designed interior details, highlight the luxurious, unique character of this design study.

Top-level engineering

The design study is based on the twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz S 600, on ac-count of this model's long wheelbase. The technical highlights include:

• the innovative soft-top mechanism resulting in smooth operation and fast closing times;
  
  
• the innovative AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats, allowing occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year.
  

Needless to say, the on-board equipment also includes top-level Mercedes-Benz innovations, some of which are unique worldwide – including Brake Assist PLUS, the innovative PRE-SAFE® brake system (in combination with radar-based DIS-TRONIC PLUS) and the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system.

Copyright © 2006, DaimlerChrysler AG