Mercedes S-Class

The car, full name Concept Ocean Drive, is a luxurious four-door S-Class-size cabrio.

Last week (Issue 941), Auto Express revealed the company's plans to launch a drop-top version of the saloon, and these official pictures are the proof.

The four-door will debut at next week's Detroit Motor Show, and a roadgoing version will reach production in around 12 months' time. Features such as the striking LED lights are unlikely to make it to the showroom, however. The car has a pillarless design and fast-folding fabric hood, rather than a trendy metal lid, and once retracted its solid tonneau gives a clean appearance.

Inside, all four passengers benefit from the innovative AIRSCARF system. This neck-level heating set-up ensures roof-down motoring is possible all year. Passengers travelling in the rear also get their own screen for the show car's onboard entertainment system.

A 5.5-litre V12 engine from the cur­rent S600 will provide strong performance, despite the extra weight required for stiffening the topless chassis.