Mercedes-Benz design study: Concept Ocean Drive design study - the most comfortable and elegant modern-day convertible

At the North American Auto Show Detroit, Mercedes-Benz is adding to its reputation as a pioneer and design trendsetter among premium carmakers with the presentation of its Concept Ocean Drive four-door convertible. This study is a one-off creation by Mercedes-Benz which revives the tradition of large luxury convertibles. 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.

The Concept Ocean Drive is an awe-inspiring jewel on wheels. As a four-door convertible, it belongs in a luxury genre that has almost disappeared from our roads. 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.

The one-off special has an all-new body with an almost classic flavour and with clearly defined lines and vibrant two-tone paintwork which are exceptionally charismatic. Although on one level the Concept Ocean Drive 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. Luxurious, exotic materials have been crafted with consummate skill to create a showpiece of unparalleled perfection.

Mercedes-Benz design studies – a stylistic journey into the future

The Concept Ocean Drive 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. This helps the designers get a feel for future styling trends and to develop and implement new design idioms.

The unique luxury convertible design study from Stuttgart turns a "dream car" vision into reality. At the same time it is also an affirmation of the design excellence and values of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including the brand's traditional basic principles like excellent build and quality, comfort, effortless superiority, value retention and safety. These values have now been joined by three further key messages: passion, fascination and innovation. The Mercedes-Benz design philosophy both perpetuate proven styling themes associated with the brand and at the same time combines them with new and surprising ideas and forms.

Styling conveys effortless superiority and elegance

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 one-off special 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, 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.

Top-level engineering

The design study is based on the twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz S 600, on account of this model's long wheelbase. The technical highlights include:

• the innovative soft-top mechanism resulting in smooth operation and fast closing times;
• the innovative AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats, allowing occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year.

Needless to say, the on-board equipment also includes top-level Mercedes-Benz innovations, some of which are unique worldwide – including Brake Assist PLUS, the innovative PRE-SAFE® brake system (in combination with radar-based DISTRONIC PLUS) and the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system.

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz

Technical data Concept Ocean Drive

Name
Body based on:

Concept Ocean Drive
Mercedes-Benz S 600

Historical forerunner:

Mercedes-Benz 300 D Cabriolet (up to 1962)

Engine

No. of cylinders/arrangement

12/V, 3 valves per cylinder

Displacement

cc

5514

Bore x stroke

mm

82 x 87

Rated output 

kW/hp

380/517

Rated torque

Nm

830 at 1900-3500 rpm

Compression ratio

9.0 : 1

Mixture formation

Microprocessor-controlled petrol injection with hot-film mass airflow sensing, twin turbo charging

Chassis

Front axle

Four-link axle, Active Body Control

Rear axle

Multi-link independent suspension, Active Body Control

Brake system

Vented disc brakes front and rear, perforated at front, rear drum-type parking brake, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP®

Steering

Rack-and-pinion speed-sensitive power steering, steering damper

Wheels

front 9J x 21 ET33, rear 10J x 21 ET26

Tyres

front and rear 275/35 ZR 21

Dimensions and eights

Wheelbase 

mm 

3165 

Track front/rear 

mm 

1622/1628 

Overall length 

mm 

5293 

Overall width 

mm 

1911 

Overall height 

mm

1497

Turning circle

m

12.2

Tank capacity/reserve

l

90/11

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz