What is it? Mercedes-Benz has a concept vehicle for the discerning buyer who finds the premium S600 sedan lacking that certain something--a convertible top. The four-door Ocean Drive concept convertible is based on the same platform as the long-wheelbase S600, including its 510-hp, twin-turbo V-12 engine. It features seating for just four passengers, with each seat incorporating the same Airscarf neck-level heating system that we found very pleasant on the smaller SLK hard-top convertible. The side windows lack both frames and a fixed B-pillar, giving the car a smooth profile with top lowered. Mercedes fitted the typical luxury features expected in a top-of-the-line car, such as high-quality leather and wood trim in the interior and on the hard tonneau cover. Safety features include the Pre-safe system that readies the cabin and occupants in the event of an impending accident. There is no word on whether the Ocean Drive will lead to a production model, but the front and rear styling hint at either an evolution of the Maybach design language or the next-generation S-Class.
