MERCEDES-BENZ has released images of the S-Class Cabriolet ahead of its world premiere at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the automaker’s first open-top four-seat flagship since 1971’s 280 SE Cabriolet.

The car is overflowing with features designed to quite literally cosset the driver and passengers — such as individual ‘air scarves’ that blow warm air around passengers’ necks, all-around double-glazed windows and integrated wind and noise deflectors. Unless it’s raining, an owner will be hard pressed to tell whether the roof is up or down.

The company hasn’t just taken the car’s hardtop sibling – the S-Class Coupé – and started cutting, even if in silhouette they’re almost identical.

The convertible has been re-engineered with strong yet light aluminum and magnesium to ensure rigidity and road-holding without extra weight. The floor has also been given an aerodynamic overhaul so that performance levels roof up or down are on par with the coupé.

Everything about the car is state-of-the-art in terms of safety, performance or comfort, from the acoustically optimized three-layer roof to the Thermotronic climate control system that uses sensors to automatically maintain cabin temperature with the roof down and can even stop things like exhaust fumes from other vehicles annoying your nostrils.

But all of this is necessary if the S Class is to attract Bentley or Rolls-Royce convertible clients to its wares.

And the company is taking no chances. As well as the S 500 model — which boasts a 449bhp V8 under its hood, Mercedes will also be taking the wraps off a much sportier S 63 AMG version.

It will boast a bi-turbo 577bhp V8 engine, a 3.9 second 0-100km/h time, and carbon ceramic brakes so it stops as quickly as it goes.