Mercedes-Benz Concept S-class coupe bows at Frankfurt motor show

Mercedes-Benz previewed its upcoming S-class coupe at the Frankfurt auto show, revealing this lightly veiled concept car. Set to replace the 7-year-old CL, the muscular-looking two-door teases the production model, planned to be rolled out at the Detroit auto show in January. U.S. sales are scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.

Sister car to the recently revealed S-class sedan, the S-class coupe rides on a revised CL platform and, like the four-door, plans call for the choice of either rear-wheel drive or optional 4Matic four-wheel drive.

The car is a little lower and shorter than the current CL. Among the more significant stylistic developments is Mercedes-Benz's so-called soft nose grille -- seen on many recent Benzes. In combination with sleeker headlamps, the Concept S-class Coupe has a more aggressive appearance than the outgoing CL. The front fenders are more shapely, there's a more heavily raked windscreen, and there are long frameless doors. You'll also notice the dropping line along the sides, a shallower glasshouse and a side window graphic with an upswing toward the rear. The rear is dominated by muscular haunches over the rear wheel arches, an oval shaped rear window, high trunk lid, horizontally positioned taillamps and fluted trapezoidal-shaped tail pipes.

Mercedes
Mercedes S-class coupe concept interior from the Frankfurt motor show.

The concept car rolls on 21-inch wheels shod with 265/35 front and 295/35 rear profile tires, but the production version will likely have 19-inch wheels standard, with 20-inch rims optional. Other subtle changes expected on the showroom model are more production-oriented exterior mirrors, proper door handles and some subtle changes to the lower section of the rear bumper assembly.

Mercedes-Benz's twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 direct-injection gas engine powers the car. With 455 hp, it produces 20 hp more than the similarly configured engine used in today's CL550. Torque remains the same at 516 lb-ft.

Mercedes-Benz insiders say the coupe will be high-tech, including features like Benz's new road-surface scanning system and Magic Body Control. An infotainment system using Gracenote software will be included, able to search through a catalog of 18 million tracks.

About the show

The 2013 Frankfurt motor show will be held Sept. 10-22 in Germany. Premium automakers appear ready to try to outdo each other with eye-catching electric supercars. Green technology and fuel efficiency will take center stage on the stands of most automakers at the show. For news, reveals and photos straight from the floor in Frankfurt, check out our special Frankfurt motor show section here.

By Greg Kable