Autoblog

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]

Click to enlarge

Look past the Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive concept's LED head and taillamps and fancy flush doorhandles and you're looking at what a likely S-Class production convertible will look like. Names for the famous strip of road on South beach, the Ocean Drive would fit right in with the beautiful people and the high-end cars known to prowl the area.

Based on the V12-powered, long-wheelbase S 600 sedan, the Ocean Drive concept gets an oversized grille (we like) and retains its source car's four-door style. the side glass is frameless, and there are no pillars to interrupt the lines when the car is open to the sky. A traditional, large soft-top protects occupants in sub-optimal weather conditions, and the car features Mercedes' neck-warming technology called AIRSCARF. Nifty indeed. Build it.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]