Mercedes-AMG S 63 Cabriolet UK first drive review 2016

Grand Tourers do not come much grander than this. Yes, the S-Class Cabriolet in the rarefied world where the typical buyer will have the highest expectations - and budgets to reach them - but even so, this is an amazing car. With a combination of luxurious opulence, burn performance and supreme comfort, it can only be the most S-Class.

Need to know:

Mid-range version of the new luxury four-seat cabriolet driven in United Kingdom
Twin-turbo V8 petrol engine has 577bhp; 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds
On sale now, priced from £ 135 675

This is our first opportunity to drive Mercedes' new luxury S-Class Cabriolet in the UK. This car is based on the S-Class Coupe, and we were impressed when we drove S500 in mainland Europe, but for the first test us from the car in the UK, we are behind the wheel cooking S 63 model, which comes with a V8 5.5-liter that will get all these two-ton four-seat soft-top move to 62mph in a little more than four seconds.

As well as the extra power for the S500, this version also adds a unique AMG bodykit (including matt silver front splitter and grille), as well as chrome-plated tailpipes, Nappa leather seats and 13-speaker Burmester stereo.

All of which will set you back just under £ 136 000 (whereas the 'entry-level' S500 starts at £ 110 120), however, with a choice of several options on-board, we drove weighed just under £ 160,000, in other words, Bentley GTC money. Mind you, it is still more than £ 30,000 less than the range-topping S 65, complete with a twin-turbo V12 engine

Well, if you'll forgive us cut to the chase, the simple answer is 'amazing'. This is a car that somehow manages to combine the speed relentlessly with an interior that truly luxurious and exceptional ride comfortable, which is quite a heady mixture.

S-Class is not meant to be a sports car out-and-out - the role played by a conversation with the two-seat SL - but even so, it was the performance of the S 63 that left the greatest impression after a short trip; and the bare facts of 4.2 second 0-62mph time only tells half the story.

In fact, when you remember this is a car that weighs nearly as much as the Range Rover (and that's without anyone sitting in it) it's amazing how easy and quick it covers the ground. 5.5-liter V8 has no problem at all to shift a big car like that, and it pulls off a beautiful double whammy be benign, but responsive at low speeds at the same time to have a true sportscar-like reaction when you want them.

Similarly, the standard seven-speed automatic gearbox managing the same double act, with the talent of speech was almost always in the right gear at the right time, as well as beautiful swap seamlessly between the seven ratios.

That means that this is a car that can not get easier along the High Road - well, more likely, boulevard - but also riveting rapidly across the country. So fast, in fact, that you have to recalibrate your idea just what an opportunity to overtake; the smallest gaps can be eaten with your right foot sheer flexible.

Throw in a remarkable improvement in the cabin - do you have the hood up or down - and the result is a comfortable car that you can imagine. That said, the beauty of the open-top configuration is that you can always drop the roof to get even more clearly hear that wonderful V8 engine will be about the business.

Of course, many high comfort level is due to the quality of the fixtures and fittings in the cabin; but even by the rarefied standards of the cars that you can spend this kind of money on, the S-Class is still impressive. It feels luxurious and hi-tech, rather than hand-crafted in the same vein as Bentley or (doubly expensive) Rolls-Royce Dawn, but the fact that it can be mentioned in the same breath as these cars a lot must be great compliment to pay to Mercedes.

The Nappa leather seats give the feel appropriate clothing for the luxurious interior features the very latest in connectivity and gadgets, as well as all the classic sophistication and comforts you would expect from something in the family of S-Class.

In fact, we only have one complaint about the car, and it is that - in spite of what the Mercedes might want to claim - this is not really a full four-seater. Legroom in the two rear seats a bit too tight for adults to want to spend a lot of time back there.

In addition, though, this is a car that - whatever you want from an open-top four-seat luxury car - can put a tick in the box to the right across the board.

Should I get one?

In a word, yes; and probably the only reason you do not want one is that you prefer sporty set-up of £ 20,000 cheaper, equally luxurious two-seater SL 63 AMG instead.

Both cars were cruisers fantastic, although taxis S-Class does have the edge when it comes to in-car technology and refinement. Look: if you have money to buy the grandest Grand Tourers, sublime mix of capabilities in this car means it is certainly what should be at the top of your shopping list, most likely along with private jets and small yachts.

Key facts:

Model: Mercedes-AMG S 63 Cabriolet
Price: £158,940 (as tested)
Engine: 5.5-litre V8 petrol, seven-speed automatic
Power/Torque: 577bhp/663lb ft
0-62mph: 4.2secs
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Economy: 28.0mpg
CO2/BIK tax liability: 237g/km/37%
Boot space: 350 litres

Also consider:

Bentley Continental GTC

A familiar form after ten years of steady evolution, but the convertible Continental recently facelifted engine remains stunning and exclusive

Mercedes-Benz SL

Strange to think one of the main rival S-Class' can be found at home, but if you only need two seats, the SL to work out a model for a less expensive model

Rolls-Royce Dawn

Make S-Class Cabriolet almost looks cheap, considering Dawn breaks at £ 265,000; Rolls-Royce has a certain cachet that other manufacturers struggled to match, though