At the North American International Auto Show 2007 (NAIAS 2007) in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz underlined its role as pioneer and design trendsetter by presenting the four-door Concept Ocean Drive convertible. With this design show car, the brand revived the tradition of large luxury convertibles with a specially manufactured one-off model. Without the constraints of technical and production specifications, the designers created the most comfortable and most elegant convertible in the world. Concept Ocean Drive is an intriguing jewel. A four-door convertible, the design study belongs to a category of luxurious automobiles which have vanished almost completely from our roads. Like the luxury convertibles of bygone days, the showpiece combines elegance with a refined lifestyle and exclusiveness at the highest level. In other words, it represents automotive culture at its most beautiful and desirable.
The one-off model stands out with its completely newly designed bodywork, an almost classic appeal, clean lines and an exciting two-tone finish that give the car outstanding charisma. It exudes the distinguished restraint of automotive nobility while at the same time arousing the yearning for gliding along the world's most beautiful beaches with the top down. The show car with the star proudly boasts refined and at the same time out-of-the-ordinary materials which were processed at the highest level of craftsmanship – uncompromising perfection which turns this car into an unparalleled gem.
As a show car, the unique luxury convertible from Stuttgart places the idea of a dream car onto four wheels and at the same time reflects the high design competence and values of the Mercedes-Benz brand. These include traditional basic values such as soundness, quality, comfort, effortless superiority, value retention, and safety, complemented by the key messages of passion, fascination and innovation.
The special external features of the show car include four doors, a very large vertical radiator grill, headlamps and rear lights with LED technology, two-tone finish and an intriguing interplay of taut lines and large smooth surfaces. This gives the automotive solitaire a superior and powerful appearance, coupled with elegance and forward thrust.
The long lateral glazing, unmarred by B-pillars and window frames in typical convertible style, makes the exterior merge with the interior even with the roof closed. Generous use of valuable materials – high-grade leather, fabrics with a three-dimensional appearance and large bird's eye maple surfaces used as trim and even soft-top compartment cover – and of host of lovingly designed detail features underline the show car's luxurious and unique character in the interior.
The design study was based in engineering terms on the
Mercedes-Benz S 600 with twelve-cylinder engine and long wheelbase. Its technical highlights include an innovative soft-top mechanism with a convincingly harmonious, as well as quick, opening and closing sequence, and the novel AIRSCARF headroom heating on all four seats, permitting open-top motoring pleasure even during the cold season.
In addition, the fully operational show car is equipped with production systems for a unique level of safety, including, among other things, PLUS Brake Assist, accident prevention system in combination with DISTRONIC PLUS and radar sensors, and the anticipatory occupant protection system, PRE-SAFE®.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
