Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet | Spotted

Two-door Mercedes S-Classes are cool. Always have been, probably always will be. There’s just something about all that luxury and opulence in a more rakish bodystyle that really works. Once upon a time Mercedes gave up on the idea and made the CL – but the S-Class Coupe returned in time. It feels as much a part of the lineup as a G-Class.

Or maybe that should be ‘felt’. At the moment there isn’t a two-door option for the W223 generation, and there doesn’t look like being one. Presumably, there are bigger priorities occupying Benz for the moment, though even range-wide electrification doesn’t prevent it from doing the decent thing and bringing the S-Class coupe back. Imagine something like a Rolls-Royce Spectre, the pinnacle of what Mercedes can do in a suave and sleek two-door? Because whatever the EQ S is capable of, it doesn’t immediately convey that same level of class that the S did. Maybe it’s not meant to.

Whatever – in the absence of new, slightly sportier S-Classes, let’s draw attention to the old ones. In the most recent W222 generation, they only got the good engines, reflecting their flagship status, and meaning V8 or V12 only. The 4.0-litre hot-vee eventually came in with its usual monumental impact, however the 63 continued longer than most of the similarly badged AMGs with the old 5.5 twin-turbo. And that was absolutely fine because it was a monster of a V8 brimming with personality. That’s what we have here, a 2016 S63 drop-top with just over 30,000 miles and an £85k asking price. Like so many of this ilk, depreciation does play a part in the appeal as well. 

Moreover, you’ll probably have noticed this isn’t a regular S63 cabrio – it’s been treated to a few Brabus bits. Notably that didn’t include any power – 585hp is enough for most people to be getting on with – instead something in the region of £45,000 was spent on parts like the Monoblock wheels, some carbon aero parts, a sports exhaust and interior trinkets.

The result won’t be to all tastes, because that’s exactly the point of modifying a car – you do exactly what you want to do to your car. The finished S-Class is undoubtedly menacing, large and low like little else. Indeed it’s not often that Brabus’d cabrios are seen, and it becomes sort of hard to draw yourself away from staring. It’s quite the opportunity for fans of what Brabus does, because it’s a Bottrop bruiser to a tee. With a roof that goes down, space for three mates, and an asking price a lot less than it would cost to replicate.

Obviously, with a car of this calibre you’ll want to check out the finer details of its past (the advert doesn’t list all that many), though given the reputation both two-door S-Classes and Brabus enjoy, it’s easy to imagine plenty of potential suitors out there. The typical PH preference might be for something a little more subdued – here’s a silver S63 coupe with silver wheels, look, for £45k – but the appeal of the big, bad Brabus is proving irresistible from here. Don’t try to fight it…

Engine: 5,461cc twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic AMG Speedshift MCT, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 585@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 664@2,250-3,750rpm
MPG: 28.0 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 237g/km
Year registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 30,280
Price new: £135,675 (2016, standard)
Yours for: £85,800