It's not until a bitterly cold day that the brilliance of heated armrests is appreciated. Standard equipment in the all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, no other feature summed up the innovative yet oh-so indulgent comfort of this particular S 550 4MATIC Coupe as those armrests, invisibly nestled into the doors and atop the storage bin between the hot-stone-massage-capable front seats.
Two-thirds of the S-Class Coupes in Canada are go-fast AMG models, which underpin the performance edge Mercedes-Benz highlights in its largest two-doors, while the base S 550 seems more intent on delivering the two-door's promised "breathtaking" style. Starting at $147,500, there's more visual romance to the lower and shorter S-Class Coupe than the more formal and upright S-Class Sedan, with this particular S 550 Coupe all-wheel-drive tester bedazzled with optional Swarovski crystal LED headlights ($4,000).
Then again, the S 550 Coupe also starts at a $47,300 premium over the more functional S-Class Sedan: two more doors, a fifth seat in the back compared to the Coupe's four and 130 extra litres of cargo space (530 versus a compact-car-like 400). The price gap shrinks when the more generous standard equipment of the coupe is factored in, but as with many high-style items, there's a steeper premium on panache than practicality.
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Unfortunately for the S-Class Coupe, style is not a strength when measured against its most sporting rivals: the Aston Martin Vantage, Jaguar XKR Coupe and Porsche 911. Even considerably less expensive luxury coupe rivals such as the Cadillac ELR and Lexus RC F make bolder and more alluring visual statements – and both for about $80,000. Sure, these other cars are basically two-seaters with two tiny seats stuffed in back, versus the S 550 Coupe's generously heated and adjustable rear thrones. But these sporting machines also make up some of the most seductive-looking grand touring luxury coupes on the planet.
This S 550's strengths lie in its cosseting comfort and Bentley-rivalling quiet, plus innovative safety and convenience technologies. And none of those other coupes leads the driver to gleefully anticipate red lights – the perfect time to lean back and place fortunate forearms onto those heavenly heated armrests.
You'll like this car if ... You'd like Bentley power and pampering for Mercedes-Benz money.
TECH SPECS
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- Base price: $147,500; as tested: $155,790
- Engine: 4.7-litre V-8
- Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 14.4 city/9.8 highway
- Drive: All-wheel drive
- Alternatives: Aston Martin Vantage, BMW 6-Series Coupe, Bentley Continental GT V-8, Cadillac ELR, Jaguar XKR Coupe, Lexus RC-F Coupe, Porsche 911 4S
RATINGS
- Looks: Stately though still sporty, it looks fairly fetching – and blinged out here with optional Swarovski crystal LED headlights – but arguably not as sultry as some rivals.
- Interior: Heated armrests, massaging seats, touch-pad controller that reads handwriting and your choice of four discreet fragrances make it difficult to achieve more comfort than in here, at any price.
- Performance: With two performance AMG versions of the S-Class Coupe available, this version focuses on coddling, so handling isn’t as sharp as some rivals, but power and acceleration are top class.
- Technology: A night vision assist system, semi-autonomous Distronic mode that can slightly turn the wheel, brake, accelerate or follow the car in front through crawling traffic and autonomous emergency braking for people and vehicles are just some of the advanced tech systems offered, though one can’t always trust them all to work every time.
- Cargo: Not small, but same size or smaller than its closest BMW, Jaguar and Bentley rivals.
The Verdict
8.5
Most of the same innovative features are available on the more practical S-Class four-door, at a much more reasonable starting price and with a fifth seat; but amongst luxurious coupes, it's certainly the most tech-heavy, plus one of the few with an adult-friendly rear seat.
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