Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet 2017 first drive

The S63 Cabriolet is also a car where you can put your foot down and marvel at the sheer speed, thanks to 612bhp (26bhp more than the outgoing model), 664lb ft of torque, four-wheel drive and a nine-speed multi-clutch automatic, first seen in the Mercedes-AMG E 63. It hits 0-62mph in a hasty 3.5sec. That’s 0.5sec faster than a DB11 V8, 0.7sec faster than its predecessor and, notably, 0.7sec faster than the new S65 Cabriolet.

Mercedes claims that difference is largely down to the S63’s four-wheel-drive system; the S65 uses rear-wheel drive. And so, for UK buyers, who will only get a two-wheel-drive S63 Cabriolet, acceleration increases to 4.2sec.

And then there’s the comfort and refinement. Despite offering this sort of speed and handling prowess, even in soft-top form, refinement and ride are impressive.

Of three key modes, Comfort will be used most by drivers, reckons Mercedes. And it is this mode that enables the S63 to behave like a normal non-AMG car, but just a really good one. The worst complaint of Comfort is that steering isn’t super-sharp but that’s only in contrast to the two other modes, Sport and Sport+. These alter elements such as gearbox mapping, steering weight, dampers and engine responses to various degrees. It is in Sport+ that the S63 starts to compete on driving roads with the Aston Martin DB11.

Inside, the S63 gets the new widescreen cockpit plus a few extras such as sat-nav and cruise control. Then there are some options worth adding too – most notably a £1600 Driver Assistance Pack that features all the clever semi-autonomous technology found on the S-Class saloon.

We tested the active distance control and active steering assist, which essentially allows you (if it were legal) to take your hands off the wheel for up to 30 seconds and can not only speed up and down but also steer around bends. It’s impressive stuff, even if means the Germans are just catching up with Tesla.