Mercedes-Benz introduced the Exclusive Edition models of the S-Class Coupé and S-Class Cabriolet at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, creating a specialized package for drivers who wanted two-door grand touring pushed to peak material opulence. While the flagship C217 Coupé and A217 Cabriolet sat comfortably at the summit of the Mercedes-Benz line-up, the Exclusive Edition arrived to bridge the rare ground between standard production luxury and the bespoke realm of the Mercedes-Maybach line. Built to celebrate the mid-cycle updates introduced across the two-door family in late 2017, the special editions pair unique color combinations with an interior trimmed in Asian hardwood and lavish designo hide.
Unlike previous limited-run trims that were bound to a single powertrain or extreme chassis package, the Exclusive Edition can be specified across nearly the complete regular engine portfolio, notably headlining with the S 560 Coupé and S 560 Cabriolet. Whether configured as a fixed-roof cruiser or a grand four-seat cabriolet, these special-edition machines turn the flagship two-door into a curated collector specification from the moment orders opened in April 2018.
Distinguished Exterior Cues and Crystal Lighting
Visually, the Exclusive Edition models assert their status without relying on aggressive aero splitters or track-day flourishes. Instead, the design leans heavily on understated elegance. Buyers choosing the special models are offered two bespoke paint finishes: Aragonite Silver and Rubellite Red. Aragonite Silver lends the bodywork an almost liquid metallic texture, subtly shifting hue under overcast skies, while Rubellite Red offers a deep, wine-tinted depth that highlights the muscular rear arches and pillarless greenhouse of the Coupé.
Standing standard on the Exclusive Edition is the LED Intelligent Light System featuring integrated Swarovski crystals. First introduced on the C217 generation as a breathtaking bespoke option, the arrangement incorporates 47 Swarovski crystals into each headlamp unit: 17 angular crystals form the flare-shaped daytime running lamps, while 30 round crystals compose the turn indicators. In daylight, the multifaceted stones catch natural sunlight; at dusk, they disperse the headlamp beam with a brilliant, fractured glow that gives the front fascia an unmistakably regal signature.
Wheel selections have been curated specifically to harmonize with the special exterior palette. As standard equipment, the Exclusive Edition rides on 19-inch multi-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. Depending on the exterior finish selected, these wheels are finished either in Aragonite Silver to echo the paintwork or in a subtle two-tone Himalaya Grey and Thulium Silver combination. For customers desiring a sportier presence, opting for the AMG Line package replaces the standard setup with 20-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black with high-sheen rim flanges and face detailing.
For the open-top S-Class Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz pays equal attention to the tailored multi-layer fabric roof. Designed to offer acoustic isolation comparable to a fixed steel roof when raised, the soft top on the Exclusive Edition is made available in either Dark Red or Beige, allowing owners to create tailored exterior contrasts against either paint finish.
Crafted Interior: Asian Hardwood and Nappa Leather
Inside the cabin, the Exclusive Edition truly earns its badge. The centerpiece of the dashboard and center console architecture is an exclusive trim executed in light brown high-gloss sen wood. Sen is a prized Asian hardwood renowned for its warm grain texture and natural iridescence, traditionally favored in fine musical instruments and bespoke furniture. The high-gloss varnish draws out the delicate wood fibers, running seamlessly along the curved door caps and spanning the broad horizontal sweep of the dashboard.
Every Exclusive Edition model comes factory-fitted with the comprehensive Exclusive Package. At the center of this package are seats trimmed in designo exclusive nappa leather, available in two two-tone configurations: Porcelain combined with Titian Red, or Porcelain paired with Espresso Brown. The seat upholstery displays a classic diamond-quilt layout with carefully placed perforations that support the climate-controlled active multicontour seats. Contrasting topstitching and perimeter piping trace every seat bolster and headrest.
The dedication to hand-finished tactile surfaces extends across the entire cabin. The upper section of the dashboard, instrument binnacle, front and rear center armrests, and door center panels are wrapped in matching nappa leather with contrast stitching. Overhead, the roof liner and sun visors are covered in soft DINAMICA microfibre. The rear parcel shelf on the Coupé is trimmed in ARTICO man-made leather, and even the map pockets on the backrests of the driver and front passenger seats are stitched from genuine nappa leather. Polished stainless-steel door sill panels greet occupants with illuminated Mercedes-Benz script, while deep-pile floor mats feature bound edging in either Titian Red or Porcelain to echo the seat leather. On the center console, subtle “Exclusive Edition” script is engraved directly into the cupholder sliding cover.
Acoustic performance matches the sensory luxury of the materials. Standard equipment includes the Burmester surround sound system, engineered specifically for the distinct cabin volumes of both the Coupé and the Cabriolet. Thirteen high-performance speakers and a 590-watt nine-channel digital amplifier deliver pure, spatial audio reproduction, backed by frontbass subwoofers integrated straight into the car’s front structural bulkhead.
Underlying Tech: OLEDs, Widescreen Cockpit, and Bi-Turbo V8
Beneath the artisanal appointments, the Exclusive Edition incorporates all the sweeping mechanical and electrical advances introduced across the S-Class family during its comprehensive autumn 2017 facelift. Among the most striking technical highlights standard on both the Coupé and Cabriolet are the innovative organic light emitting diode (OLED) taillights. A total of 66 ultra-flat OLED wafer elements are suspended within each rear lamp cluster, emitting a completely homogeneous light field without separate diffusers or reflectors. The OLED elements perform a dynamic light animation upon unlocking and locking, and automatically adjust their brightness based on ambient daylight conditions and road speed to avoid glaring drivers behind.
Ahead of the driver sits the modern Widescreen Cockpit, consisting of twin 12.3-inch high-resolution digital displays bonded beneath a single continuous glass cover. The system offers three selectable display styles—Classic, Sport, and Progressive—and is governed by touch-sensitive Touch Control buttons mounted on the newly designed three-spoke steering wheel. These miniature thumb pads allow drivers to navigate menus and infotainment settings using swipe gestures without moving their hands from the rim. The car also features ENERGIZING comfort control, an intelligent network that coordinates the dual-zone climate system, fragranced ionizer, seat massage, ambient mood lighting with 64 colors, and audio soundtracks into six synchronized wellness programs.
Driving assistance systems have been substantially upgraded to take the strain out of high-speed touring. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now use map and navigation data to anticipate bends, junctions, roundabouts, and toll booths, adjusting vehicle speed automatically well ahead of the event. Active Lane Change Assist can execute motorway overtaking maneuvers automatically when the driver taps the indicator stalk in a clear lane.
Propulsion in the headline S 560 Coupé and S 560 Cabriolet Exclusive Edition models comes from the newly introduced 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 (internal code M176). Replacing the older 4.7-liter M278 unit, this compact aluminum powerhouse situates its twin turbochargers inside the “hot inner V” between the cylinder banks for instantaneous throttle response. Output is rated at 345 kW (469 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, available across a broad torque curve from just 2000 rpm. The engine features CAMTRONIC cylinder shut-off under partial load, making it one of the most economical V8 powerplants in the grand touring class, returning a combined fuel consumption of 8.0 liters per 100 km in the Coupé and 8.7 liters per 100 km in the Cabriolet. Power feeds through the smooth 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive and 4MATIC all-wheel drive configurations.
Two-Door Heritage and Modern Collector Pedigree
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé and Cabriolet occupy a historic niche that reaches straight back to the coachbuilt era. From the legendary 300 S Coupé of the 1950s through the pillarless SEC and CL grand tourers, large two-door luxury cars from Stuttgart have consistently served as rolling showcases for the brand’s most sophisticated technology, styling grace, and build quality. The pillarless side profile of the C217 Coupé, featuring unhindered glass running from the A-pillar back to the rear quarters, is an engineering feat that demands immense structural stiffness in the floorpan and roof rails.
Meanwhile, the A217 S-Class Cabriolet holds an even more specialized place in recent automotive history. When introduced for the 2016 model year, it was the first open-top flagship four-seater bearing the S-Class name since the classic W111 Cabriolet was discontinued in 1971. Built with an aluminum-hybrid rear floor, magnesium luggage compartment bulkhead, and advanced aerodynamics that include the AIRCAP windscreen deflector and AIRSCARF neck heaters, the Cabriolet allows top-down grand touring in total comfort across all four seasons.
By bringing together Swarovski crystal lighting, hand-selected sen hardwood veneers, and tailored designo color palettes, the Exclusive Edition highlights the very summit of what the modern S-Class two-door can deliver. With orders starting in April 2018 across European and international markets, these bespoke two-door models stand as a rare tribute to an uncompromising generation of grand touring engineering.
Vehicle data
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé (Exclusive Edition)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | S-Class Coupé Exclusive Edition (S 560 Coupé) |
| Generation / chassis code | C217 (facelift) |
| Model year(s) covered | 2018–2019 |
| Body style | 2-door pillarless grand touring coupé |
| Powertrain / engine | 4.0-liter (3,982 cc) bi-turbo V8 (M176) with cylinder deactivation |
| Power / torque | 345 kW (469 hp) @ 5,250–5,500 rpm / 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) @ 2,000–4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive |
| Key performance figures | 0–100 km/h in approx. 4.6 seconds; Top speed 250 km/h (electronically limited); Fuel consumption: 8.0 l/100 km combined; CO2: 183 g/km |
| Price (as stated) | Not stated in sources |
| On-sale / announcement period | Announced March 2018 (Geneva Motor Show); ordering opens April 2018 |
| Market | Global / European launch |
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet (Exclusive Edition)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | S-Class Cabriolet Exclusive Edition (S 560 Cabriolet) |
| Generation / chassis code | A217 (facelift) |
| Model year(s) covered | 2018–2019 |
| Body style | 2-door luxury 4-seat convertible |
| Powertrain / engine | 4.0-liter (3,982 cc) bi-turbo V8 (M176) with cylinder deactivation |
| Power / torque | 345 kW (469 hp) @ 5,250–5,500 rpm / 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) @ 2,000–4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Key performance figures | 0–100 km/h in approx. 4.6 seconds; Top speed 250 km/h (electronically limited); Fuel consumption: 8.7 l/100 km combined; CO2: 199 g/km |
| Price (as stated) | Not stated in sources |
| On-sale / announcement period | Announced March 2018 (Geneva Motor Show); ordering opens April 2018 |
| Market | Global / European launch |