Mercedes-Benz S-Class Convertible spy photos

The Mercedes-Benz W111 convertible made its debut at the 1961 Frankfurt Autoshow and became the last of what we now refer to as S-Class models to be offered with an open roof.

In 2007 Mercedes-Benz teased us with the ocean drive convertible concept and CarAdvice reported back in 2012 that Mercedes-Benz will produce an S-Class convertible based on that concept, which given these spy photos, is well underway.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, the convertible will be two-door (unlike the four-door ocean drive concept) but just like its W111 predecessor, it will be available with a fabric soft top as oppose to a folding hard top.

These photos show Mercedes-Benz engineers doing their best to hide the soft-top, but the convertible’s outlines are more than obvious.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class convertible will likely match its Coupe twin in terms of powerplants and range, so expect tasty S63 and S65 AMG variants with the absolute latest in in-car technology.

This will make the S-Class Convertible the only soft-top Mercedes-Benz available with a V12 engine  (with the SL 65 AMG taking care of hard-top buyers).

The grand convertible will go up against the BMW 6 Series, Maserati Gran Turismo convertible and Aston Martin and Bentley’s range of convertibles.

Keeping with tradition, Mercedes-Benz might take the historical approach and unveil the S-Class convertible at next year’s Frankfurt auto show in September.

Although too early to tell, given Mercedes-Benz Australia has committed to the coupe, it's likely the convertible will also make its way to local showrooms.