Mercedes approves four-door convertible Ocean Drive Concept for production
click above image for a full gallery of the Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive Concept
Motor Trend is reporting that Mercedes-Benz has approved the four-door convertible Ocean Drive Concept that was introduced at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit for production. The car will reportedly be based on the S600 and arrive as a 2011 model. Being a platform-mate of the S600 means that the Ocean Drive production model will likely sport a 510-horsepower 5.5L V12 and a price tag well into the six-figure range. Of course, Mercedes could slip a myriad of possible engines into the car, from its 5.5L V8 to the 600+ horsepower biturbo V12 from AMG. With structural enhancements necessary to keep the car stiff, a high curb weight is likely that will require a big motor to move the car around.
MT also reports that the A7-based four-door convertible in Audi's product pipeline will arrive around the same time, not earlier in 2009 as some outlets have reported. Though the two will not be direct competitors (the A7 itself will be aimed downmarket at the Merceds CLS and arrive a couple years earlier), they will be the first four-door convertibles in production since the mid-60s Lincoln Continental. Hmmm... which would Drama choose?
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ruggels 4:35PM (6/08/2007)
10 points for the euntorage reference... though drama seems to ride shotty a lot more then drive that bday restoration of his.
per the car, meh. Merc has been building boring cars for a decade now and this doesn't seem to be moving in another direction, oh well. older people like more conservatively styled cars I guess.
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Sang 4:36PM (6/08/2007)
Too bad the 300C convertible wasn't created. Would have been a lot sweeter looking than this IMO. It might even be what spawned the idea for this.
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Jit 6:06PM (6/08/2007)
You guy ain't got a what you on about. Mercedes are better looking cars compared to any of their competitors. Thats why they are their class standard in majority of the classes they compete in, be it design or technology.
Personally I believe Mercedes shouldn't have lost the nerve on the last minute and should have left it as a Maybach as it was attended to be. Hopefully this is the 4 door convertible of the planned Maybach 4 door coupe ($200K) which was spoken about a few months ago.
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Doogs 6:52PM (6/08/2007)
"You guy ain't got a what you on about. Mercedes are better looking cars compared to any of their competitors. Thats why they are their class standard in majority of the classes they compete in, be it design or technology."
I'd probably take an S-Class over a 7-Series or Lexus LS, but that's about it. Mercedes makes some nice cars, but IMO they're passenger cars, not driver's cars.
GatorLCA 6:48PM (6/08/2007)
Those rims have to be a bitch to clean
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Patrick 1:50AM (6/09/2007)
I'm just wondering what they're going to make the floorpan out of to handle a 550hp engine with no buttressing or cross-cabin bracing.
Poor car is going to be built like a lasagna noodle.
I mean, I'm sure MB will find a way to make it as stiff as possible, and its not intended to be a sports car, but still.
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Nick 3:32AM (6/09/2007)
2011? Wake me up when it gets here.
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jp Rowan 9:56AM (6/09/2007)
Is there really a large market for 100K plus covert's that don't perform that well? I would think that Bently and the new Rolls will have that market much better covered than MB. For guys who claim a "business case" for every car they make, it is hard to see on this one. It might be like the SLR.
http://www.refinedrogue.com
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wslcrew 12:37AM (6/10/2007)
Jeremy Clarkson once said Merc is trying to make a car for everyone... such as "car-wagon-SUV" thing R-class, "sport-coupe-ish-sedan" CLS and "smallish-MPV" B-class. I think this is their latest attempt to build another thing.
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chris 10:01AM (6/11/2007)
Well, I take issue with one small thing in this article... their is another 4 door convertible ALREADY on the market.. the 4 door jeep. wrangler. now it may be a truck but it is a convertible. I wish other manufacturers with less pricey convertibles make 4 doors, it would be nice to see a 4 door solaris or accord convertible, and the new 4 door charger would look nice as a convertible as well..
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