Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive Concept: 4-Door Convertible

Motoring Channel Staff - 21/Dec/2006

Stuttgart, Germany — The big reveal for Mercedes-Benz at the North American Auto Show in Detroit in January 2007 will be a new convertible concept car, the Ocean Drive.

While the name is pretty stupid, the car itself is tremendous in size and though Mercedes is officially referring to the vehicle as a "one-off" design study, inside sources say that this vehicle could become the range-topping S-Class convertible and be on sale in another 18 months if the public response is upbeat.

The German car maker usually creates cars that have a distinct German style, but with this concept model it appears as though the company is leaning towards a thoroughly American look and feel, to possibly combat the changing styles of BMW and Lexus who are both doing big business in North American new car marketplace.

The most interesting thing about this new concept car, apart from the potential of it becoming a reality and it's Americana spirit, is that it's a 4-door convertible with impressive amounts of room for all occupants.

Based on the powerful biturbo V12-powered Mercedes-Benz S 600, the Ocean Drive concept car is long and lean, and you'll also notice that there is no B-pillar between the front and rear windows, giving the concept car a highly integrated design that comes across as very appealing, despite it's monstrous size.

It also features an S-Class inspired front end with a strong grille and similar headlight shapes, only instead of xenon projector globes the Ocean Drive concept uses powerful LEDs for the headlights.

As with most Mercedes vehicles, this long wheel-based concept car gets a range of useful automated features. According to Mercedes these include: 

• Innovative soft-top mechanism resulting in smooth operation and fast closing times
  

• AirScarf neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats and allows occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year
  

• Brake Assist PLUS

• PRE-SAFE brake system (in combination with radar-based DISTRONIC PLUS) and the PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system

Other than a range of unique features that wouldn't normally be fitted to a concept car (unless it was being readied for production), the regal Ocean Drive concept car is more about the design and the look of the car than how it drives - though with the twin turbo V12 engine powering the rear wheels it is expected that it'll be a very fast grand tourer.

Mercedes explains that it is adding to its reputation as a pioneer and design trendsetter among premium carmakers with 4-door convertible Ocean Drive concept. It is hoping to revives the tradition of the large luxury convertibles, and not having to work to a design brief or production specifications left the designers free to get on with the job of developing the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible, Mercedes says.

The German luxury car maker explains that, as a 4-door convertible, it belongs in a luxury genre that has almost disappeared from our roads, and that like the luxury convertibles of years gone by, this showpiece from Stuttgart features the maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness. To put it another way, it represents automobile culture at its most attractive and desirable.

Mercedes refers to its new creations as an awe inspiring jewel on wheels.

The concept car exposes an all-new body with an almost classic flavour and with clearly defined lines and vibrant two-tone paintwork which are exceptionally charismatic. Mercedes says that although on one level the Ocean Drive concept displays the restraint of an elite and aristocratic automobile, it is also an open invitation to go on a "top-less" cruise along the world's finest ocean promenades. 

And like most Mercs, the car is made from luxurious, exotic materials that it claims were crafted with consummate skill to create a showpiece of unparalleled perfection.

Apart from the four doors, the outward distinguishing marks of the concept car include a very large and upright radiator grille, LED headlamps and taillights, two-tone paintwork and a striking interplay between taut lines and large, restful surfaces. This lends the special car an air of effortless superiority, power, elegance and forward-flowing energy.

The long side-window opening which, typically of a convertible, is not interrupted by a B-pillar or window frames, ensures seamless continuity between the exterior and the interior says Mercedes, and even when the top is up. Extensive use of high-value materials – such as finest-quality leather, 3D-effect materials and large bird's eye maple trim panels (in the interior and even on the soft-top compartment cover) – and many other thoughtfully designed interior details highlight the luxurious, unique character of this design study.

According to Germany's 'big is best'  car maker, the Ocean Drive concept car isn't just designed to inspire dreams and fantasies; it also serves a very practical purpose, because design studies are always a good opportunity for designers to play around with less familiar themes, to see things from new angles and to explore new ideas. Not just a pure design exercise, they are also a way of stimulating a closer dialogue with customers and of trying out new ideas on the general public. In other words, the company can gauge public reaction to the new design, when it makes its first official debut at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS). Mercedes adds that this helps its designers get a feel for future styling trends and to develop and implement new design idioms.

Mercedes continues to espouse the concept cars 'design excellence' and naturally the values of the Benz brand, which are excellent build and quality, comfort, effortless superiority, value retention and safety. But the Ocean Drive concept is simply a very large, very interesting prototype that will probably become a reality in a few years, especially if the Detroit Auto Show-goers respond positively to the new design.

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