Go Back   German Car Zone > Mercedes-Benz > S-Class
Home Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

This is a discussion on Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit within the S-Class forums, part of the Mercedes-Benz category; We've seen the photo before, but not the article "If two doors are good, can four doors be better? By ...

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 12-11-2006, 11:28 AM   #1
Bruce   Bruce is offline
Global Moderator
 
Bruce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 11,274
Thanks: 7,458
Thanked 4,920 Times in 2,733 Posts
Bruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond reputeBruce has a reputation beyond repute
Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit



We've seen the photo before, but not the article

"If two doors are good, can four doors be better?

By RICK KRANZ | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 12/11/06, 8:05 am et



"Next month, Mercedes-Benz will take the wraps off a four-door convertible based on the S class, says an industry source with knowledge of the project. The mammoth, V-12-powered convertible concept is expected to debut at the Detroit auto show.

An industry source familiar with the car says production is planned.

How big is the market for such a convertible? Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich., says global volume probably would be 4,000 to 5,000 units.

The convertible would carry a lofty price tag, possibly $10,000 to $15,000 above the V-12-powered S-class sedan, Merkle said. The V-12 sedan's sticker with transportation and gas-guzzler tax already tops $140,000.

"A four-door (convertible) is a bit of an oddity," Merkle said. "But then again, for a Mercedes-Benz buyer with more dollars than sense, maybe an oddity might be something they find appealing."

This would not be the first attempt to market a modern-day four-door convertible. ASC Inc. tried in 2005 with the Helios convertible concept, which was based on the Chrysler 300C sedan. The concept was unveiled at the Detroit auto show and featured a power-operated cloth top.

The Chrysler group studied that vehicle for over a year, eventually deciding not to produce it. Key factors in the decision were market appeal and structural concern, Joe Eberhardt, then Chrysler's executive vice president of global sales, marketing and service, said at the time. The four-door convertible had been expected to carry a $5,000 to $7,000 premium above the 300C sedan.

Mercedes-Benz produced a four-door convertible into the 1950s."
__________________
My Automotive Blog

"Who can face the knowledge that the truth is not the truth?"

Last edited by Bruce; 12-11-2006 at 11:33 AM.
Bruce is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Bruce For This Useful Post:
biozzj (12-11-2006), cawimmer430 (12-11-2006), Mr. M (12-11-2006), NarutoRamen (12-11-2006), siko (12-14-2006), Zonda (12-12-2006)

Sponsored Links
Old 12-11-2006, 12:34 PM   #2
Trendsetter
 
NarutoRamen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: California
Garage: (B5) Audi A4 1.8TQ
Posts: 7,419
Thanks: 2,522
Thanked 1,482 Times in 1,034 Posts
NarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to all
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

I'm not sure how good of an idea this is. But i guess if there is a market why not. And if MB exceeds then hell we'll be seeing BMW and AUDI in the mix.

Thanks!
__________________
BMW M POWER!!! DON'T SCREW WITH IT!!! AKA "Naruto Raikkonen" - Thanks Imhotep.

narutoraman.blogspot.com --->Updated Mar 3...check it!
NarutoRamen is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 01:43 PM   #3
The Photo Phanatic
 
cawimmer430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Munich, Germany
Garage: '08 BMW 118i
Posts: 12,993
Thanks: 10,456
Thanked 9,155 Times in 3,292 Posts
cawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

How big is the market for such a convertible? Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich., says global volume probably would be 4,000 to 5,000 units.


That's quite a lot of demand for an S-Class convertible: if DCX has done their market research correctly.
__________________
CWPhotography
cawimmer430 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 01:56 PM   #4
bum-man   bum-man is offline
Devotee
 
bum-man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,707
Thanks: 423
Thanked 540 Times in 295 Posts
bum-man is just really nicebum-man is just really nicebum-man is just really nicebum-man is just really nicebum-man is just really nicebum-man is just really nice
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

I'm completely perplexed as to how BMW has a premium Cabrio (6er) and Mercedes does not. Instead they are planning to give us a vert S-class? What-the-crap?
bum-man is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 02:08 PM   #5
Trendsetter
 
NarutoRamen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: California
Garage: (B5) Audi A4 1.8TQ
Posts: 7,419
Thanks: 2,522
Thanked 1,482 Times in 1,034 Posts
NarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to all
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

Quote:
Originally Posted by cawimmer430 View Post
That's quite a lot of demand for an S-Class convertible: if DCX has done their market research correctly.
That is a big IF. because IF they have it wrong like I think they did with their R-class estmates then thats not good.
__________________
BMW M POWER!!! DON'T SCREW WITH IT!!! AKA "Naruto Raikkonen" - Thanks Imhotep.

narutoraman.blogspot.com --->Updated Mar 3...check it!
NarutoRamen is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 02:14 PM   #6
GCZ's High Court
 
PanterroR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
AKA: Tycoon
Garage: A naturally aspirated V8 mofo - 2008 BMW 550i
Posts: 17,706
Thanks: 7,878
Thanked 7,679 Times in 3,759 Posts
PanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

Lol! What is happening with MB?

Wrong and just wrong!

__________________
DSC Off - Steptronic On - KickDown!

PanterroR is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 02:17 PM   #7
EnI   EnI is offline
Contributor
 
EnI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,488
Thanks: 245
Thanked 4,582 Times in 2,048 Posts
EnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond reputeEnI has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

Will it really be S-class based?

I've heard MB are experimenting with CLS a lot: including 4-door cabrio (CLC), and a Shooting Brake variant (CLT) - since CLS being their experimental niche model.

EnI is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 02:21 PM   #8
GCZ's High Court
 
PanterroR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
AKA: Tycoon
Garage: A naturally aspirated V8 mofo - 2008 BMW 550i
Posts: 17,706
Thanks: 7,878
Thanked 7,679 Times in 3,759 Posts
PanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond reputePanterroR has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

So, CLS would be a World's 1st 4 door coupe and a 4 door cabrio then, huh?

__________________
DSC Off - Steptronic On - KickDown!

PanterroR is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 03:04 PM   #9
Executive
 
The Artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sweden Gothenburg
Posts: 17,578
Thanks: 510
Thanked 3,594 Times in 1,710 Posts
The Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant future
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

i think this will be gr8..and wont be called S class cab..
__________________
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
Leonardo Da Vinci
The Artist is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Old 12-11-2006, 03:18 PM   #10
Devotee
 
Osnabrueck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,443
Thanks: 662
Thanked 560 Times in 317 Posts
Osnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of lightOsnabrueck is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Mercedes to Launch Four-Door Cabriolet At Detroit

I think this is a great idea. The will and ability to offer luxury cars in configurations that would be simply unfeasible and ridiculous for other brands to attempt is what makes Mercedes Benz stand above the crowd. A 4-door convertible sounds really off the wall, but it's been done before, and the desire for such a thing surely exists in numbers large enough to justify legitimate production.

To make money off this car, Mercedes would certainly have to build off an existing platform - read, the S-Klass. I hope that there's enough cosemetic changes that it doesn't just look like a chop. I also think that the premium will be very high for this vehicle.

Can't wait to see if this thing becomes a reality.
Osnabrueck is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
cabriolet, detroit, fourdoor, launch, mercedes

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Reminiscing Over Ten Years Of The Mercedes SLK Alx SLK-Class 0 09-14-2006 03:01 PM
Mercedes Debuts The All New GL-Class At The Detroit Auto Show Alx GL-Class 18 03-31-2006 11:41 AM
Mercedes-Benz Lineup At The International Motor Show In Geneva Alx The Mercedes-Benz Lounge 14 03-11-2006 09:03 AM
Mercedes Simplex Reunited At Mercedes-Benz Museum Alx Older MBs, Classics 3 11-19-2005 10:06 AM
Mercedes cut German sales target EnI The Mercedes-Benz Lounge 36 11-09-2005 01:52 AM



Copyright ©2005 - 2009, GermanCarZone.com. All Rights Reserved.

SEO by vBSEO 3.3.1 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.