Benedict Cumberbatch test drives and reviews the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet. He praises the car's combination of classic design elements with modern technology. Under the hood is a powerful 4.7-liter V8 engine that propels the car from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Inside the cabin feels luxurious with leather trim and wood accents. Advanced features include a digital dashboard, massaging seats, air quality controls, and a high-end Burmester sound system. Cumberbatch is impressed with how the S-Class Cabriolet blends luxury and engineering excellence.

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Coat, £2,800. Rollneck,
£695. Trousers, £395.
Boots, £495. Scarf,
£325. All by Kilgour.
kilgour.com
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Few personify the UK’s contribution to global cinema better than
Benedict Cumberbatch. A style standard-bearer, here he
waxes lyrical with GQ about the allure of the luxurious
(and hi-tech) new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet
FUTURE
IN MOTION
WISH LIST
S-Class
Cabriolet
The new S-Class
Cabriolet
embodies a
distinctive design
combining luxury
with technology

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G Promotion
“The two-door
cabriolet answers
Cumberbatch’s call
for a classic with
a firm grasp on
contemporary design
and technology”
Jacket by Burberry,
£1,995. burberry.com.
Shirt by Scabal, £200.
scabal.com. Jeans by
Belstaff, £235.
belstaff.co.uk

3. Coat by Matthew Miller, £495.
matthewmillermenswear.com.
Shirt by Scabal, £220. scabal.
com. Jeans by Burberry, £250.
burberry.com. Boots by
Margaret Howell, £275.
margarethowell.co.uk
CGI & Post Production Recom
Farmhouse Grooming Tyler
Johnston at One Represents
using Kiehl’s since 1851 and
Tom Ford Stylist Joe Woolfe
Stylist Assistant Nikita
Andrianova Set Cloud & Horse
With thanks to Park Royal
Studios. parkroyalstudios.com
The model shown is the new
S-Class Cabriolet and is not to
UK specification. For full pricing
and specification please visit
mercedes-benz.co.uk
Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the new Mercedes-Benz S 500 Cabriolet: urban: 23.2 (12.2) - 23.7 (11.9), extra urban: 37.7 (7.5) - 40.4 (7.0), combined 31.0 (9.1) – 32.5 (8.7).
CO2 emissions: 212–204 g/km. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors.
Wind back the clock 24 hours from GQ’s
shoot with Benedict Cumberbatch – a man
in the highest tier of British acting talent and
a GQ Best Dressed regular to boot – and you
would find him preparing to pace the stage
of London’s Barbican Centre as Shakespeare’s
Hamlet. But, for this afternoon at least, he’s
back to being himself again, with the new
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet taking
the lead role. “When it comes to cars, I’m
a classicist through and through,” he says,
as the camera shutters begin to snap away.
“But, I love the cars that combine modern
technology and the aesthetic of classic
designs.” The two-door Cabriolet is the
latest member of the S-Class family and
proudly answers Cumberbatch’s call for a
classic with a firm grasp on contemporary
design and technology.
Laying underneath the familiar S-Class
bonnet is a 4.7-litre V8 engine – or, as
Cumberbatch aptly says, “a wonder of
engineering”. Purring through the distinctive
front grill and launching the car from
0-60mph in an impressive 4.6 seconds, it
helps put the new S-Class Cabriolet into a
world of its own, especially once inside.
“It’s like a leather-trimmed marquetry box,
housing the most extraordinary level of
luxury,” says Cumberbatch, now sitting
behind the wood-and-leather steering wheel.
Meanwhile, the digital dashboard sparks
into life at the push of the start button and
the Swarovski crystals (found in the centre
console and the headlights) epitomise
that crucial relationship between luxury
and technology.
Finally, there’s a particularly tailored feel
waiting to be found by any S-Class Cabriolet
driver. “The car is so responsive,” says
Cumberbatch. “The seat will sculpt itself to
you as you turn.” And it doesn’t end there.
A choice of five fragrances are on hand, too,
while air quality is continually improved
through optimised filtering. For any devotee
to luxury – with Cumberbatch firmly in the
ranks – each feature is a welcome plus point.
The perfect end note is the new S-Class
Cabriolet’s Burmester 3D surround sound
system. Comprising 23 speakers, it will
undoubtedly sound out a suitable applause
to two of 2016’s most inimitable acts.
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