Did Mercedes-Benz Make A MISTAKE By Not Bringing Us The Latest Addition To The S-Class Fleet?

By this point, I think it's safe to say that the AutoSpies audience is well aware of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and how it has so far dominated the competition. In the large luxury sedan segment, the S-Class reigns king.

And, it's clear the three-pointed star is happy expanding the nameplate's presence. Now there's the S-Class Coupe, S-Class Convertible, Mercedes-Maybach S600 and, of course, the S63 and S65 AMG variants.

There's one more: That's where the S400 Coupe comes into the mix. There's just one problem — the U.S. market isn't getting it.

Having said that, is Mercedes-Benz making a MISTAKE by not bringing the S400 stateside? Not only could it lower the barrier of entry but the 400 motor is a sweet thing — I prefer it over Mercedes' eights.

One could argue that the company is going to maintain its exclusivity and that the S Coupe is not a volume seller anyhow but it seems a bit backwards to purposefully not sell products that will move off showroom floors.

What say you, Spies?

Mercedes-Benz's press release follows:

Mercedes-Benz S 400 4MATIC Coupé: New addition to the dream Coupé family

Mercedes-Benz has extended the S-Class Coupé model range with the addition of the S 400 4MATIC Coupé rated at 270 kW (367 hp) and retailing at an entry-level price beginning at 99,960 euros[1]. This means that six versions of the sporty large Coupé are now available in all -- the S 500 and S 500 4MATIC plus the Mercedes-AMG models S 63, S 63 4MATIC and S 65.

Since its launch a good year ago, the S-Class Coupé has already won numerous awards for its breathtaking design, including the "iF product design award 2015" and the "Internet Auto Award 2014" (Europe-wide) as well as best-in-class accolades for the exclusive two-door car in the "autonis" readers' poll of the "auto, motor und sport" magazine and the "All-wheel-drive car of the year 2015" poll conducted by "Auto Bild Allrad".

The S-Class Coupé model range previously comprised the S 500, the S 500 4MATIC and the three AMG models S 63, S 63 4MATIC and S 65. The S 400 4MATIC Coupé has now been added as the sixth model in the line-up. The V6 engine has a rated output of 270 kW (367 hp) and generates peak torque of 500 Nm. The two-door Coupé applies its power to the road by way of the standard-fit 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.

The data at a glance:

	S 400 4MATIC
Number of cylinders/arrangement	6/V
Displacement (cc)	2996
Rated output (kW/hp at rpm)	270 (367) at 5500-6000
Rated torque (Nm at rpm)	500 at 1800-4500
Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km)	8.3
Combined CO₂ emissions from (g/km)	193
Efficiency class	C
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s)	5.6
Top speed (km/h)	250
Prices starting at (euros)	99,960

Similarly to the other vehicles in the model range, the S 400 4MATIC Coupé also leaves the factory with an extensive scope of equipment on board. The highlights of the standard range of equipment for this model include THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control with two climate zones, LED Intelligent Light System with variable light distribution for country roads and motorways, active light function, cornering light function, enhanced fog light function and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, the COMAND Online multimedia system, AIRMATIC, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS and PRE-SAFE®.

In all, the company offers the current S-Class family in six body variants: the Mercedes-Benz Saloon in two wheelbase versions, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman and the Coupé and Cabriolet models.

[1] All price information constitutes recommended retail prices for Germany, including 19% VAT.

MDarringer - 12/12/2015 7:08:39 PM

-1 Boost

Maybe they should wait until the drab, dowdy coupe gets reskinned.

TauronB2G - 12/12/2015 11:50:36 PM

+2 Boost

Dude you're just a hater. The S Coupe is damn near sexy. It's the best large coupe on the market, it has the most power and the most tech. Quit being a douche and give credit where it's due.
T

TomM - 12/13/2015 7:53:46 AM

0 Boost

First - Mercedes - as most High End Manufacturers - are pretty much running all speed ahead - with little place for more production available if at all. General Motors is having the same problem in some areas as well -so production of another car may have to stand in line for a place to actually make it.

In addition - there comes the question of whether they will sell enough of that variant to certify the engine in it. Buyers in the USA will probably be just as happy with a V-8 standard - especially at the price these are likely to start at. There are countries where a ^ cylinder offers some tax benefits - but the USA is not one of them

MDarringer - 12/13/2015 8:59:40 AM

+1 Boost

I don't find it attractive at all. There are better looking coupes elsewhere.

xjug1987a - 12/14/2015 10:04:04 AM

+2 Boost

Completely agree w/Matt. The Coupe, only in its most expensive form comes together. The base models of really all Mercedes cars look dowdy. The S Coupe is dowdy and cannot compare to the gorgeous W126 based Coupe.

TeibNet - 12/12/2015 7:47:34 PM

+3 Boost

If the S 400 Coupe were to be sold in North America, it would cannibalize the sale of the more expensive versions of this car.

Dexter1 - 12/13/2015 7:08:26 AM

+1 Boost

Not sure there is a purpose for this "version" of the coupe. Anyone who can afford to pay over 99,000 EU would certainly be able to come up with the little bit of additional money to get the real thing.

mre30 - 12/13/2015 9:55:30 AM

+2 Boost

Doubtful that MB introduces the S400 coupe over here - the coupe does not sell in volume to justify it.

However, I would imagine that with the S550 mid-cycle refresh that is a year away, that we will get an S400 sedan and perhaps an S350d/S400d Bluetek to further juice sales and bang a few more nails in the coffins of the 750i, A8, and LS460

mre30 - 12/13/2015 9:55:30 AM

+2 Boost

cidflekken - 12/13/2015 3:07:59 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes would only need to bring it over if the current models weren't meeting their sales forecasts. The SL, for example, was selling below expectations, which is why they now have the SL400.
At the same time, in such an image-conscious market that is the US, the S-coupe need not diminish its prestige against the Continental GT.

MDarringer - 12/13/2015 5:32:56 PM

0 Boost

I definitely would not put the S Coupe and the Bentley Continental in the same segment.

W124E320 - 12/14/2015 10:10:03 AM

+1 Boost

Completely agree with both of Matts comments. Though the S Coupe is a marvelous car, its neither pretty nor carries itself like a Bentley. I wouldn't even compare the two and if I could have one there would not be any hesitation. And that is admitting that the platform of the Bentley probably isn't as good as the S as the B is still riding the VW Phaeton platform, if I am not mistaken?

W124E320 - 12/14/2015 10:37:34 AM

0 Boost

Honestly, I agree w/W124, Mercedes cars, fully equipped look terrific (though I would agree the current styling is not as timeless as I would expect from Mercedes). However the less expensive models DO look like de-contented, "cheaper" versions with homely wheels, etc... the SL400 looks homely compared to the more expensive versions, ditto for all their other cars...

cidflekken - 12/14/2015 3:20:41 PM

0 Boost

So, did you forget to login with your other identity just to reinforce your own post, W124? LOL

W124E320 - 12/14/2015 4:57:41 PM

0 Boost

No DINGLE-BERRY, I meant to type I agree with xjug1987a

Yonder7 - 12/14/2015 1:48:28 PM

+1 Boost

As an MB Fan I agree with MDarringer. S Class have all the necessary hardware to face the Continental, but you WILL NEVER see a 6 cylinder Continental because is Luxury oriented, The S class coupe is a luxury car but more commercial (common) product. Still, I prefer an S65 or S63 coupe over the continental any day.