SPY: The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe (C 217) - latest scoops from Germany

The new S-Class Coupe arrives on the market during summer of 2014 to replace the current C 216 CL-Class. The two-door luxury model will sport a more dynamic and progressive styling compared to the outgoing generation, in addition to becoming even more premium, just like the new S-Class (W/V 222) did.

Street development of the C 217 model series began towards the end of summer 2012, so now the prototypes are quickly approaching the mid-term of the testing program. Entering the final experimental phase (FEP) means we will be able to see more of today's heavily cladded body shape and details. Lately, the C 217 test vehicles have been spotted in Germany and most precisely in Stuttgart, at company's R&D headquarters.

The headlights, featuring LED technology and appealing inner graphics that look impressive at night, will grow in size to also accomodate the radars for the MAGIC BODY CONTROL, also to be transferred from the new S-Class alongside further technical upgrades such as the new MRA rear-driven platform and the Intelligent Drive measures. The centerpiece of the new front end will definitely be the larger and longer radiator grille displaying a single louvre and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz star logo in the middle.

The side profile will display a clean design, with just a few sculptural lines to enhance the elegance of the new S-Class Coupe. The window line will be placed at a higher level, given the muscular shoulders emphasized by the rear wheel arches, and will also feature a slight kink. The door-mounted, indicator-equipped intelligent mirrors will further distinguish the C 217 in the crowd.

Moving backwards, the new LED tail lamps will become thinner and horizontally oriented, pointing to the center-placed star on the boot lid, which also loses the licence plate space that is now moving to the rear bumper - a first for a Mercedes-Benz model. As for the C 216, the new S-Class Coupe will also have a different exhaust depending on the version: the S 500 Coupe with traditional trapezoidal pipes and the S 600 Coupe (caught in these scoops) with exhausts split into half to create a quad design effect.

On the inside, the new S-Class Coupe will sport the sci-fi dashboard premiered on the W/V 222 with its two giant LED screens. Expect a long list of refined appointments just like in the case of the Limousine: hot-stone massage function, illuminated dashboard, AIR BALANCE CONTROL, rear-seat entertainment, Burmester high-end audio system, wood or metal for trimming the dashboard and door panels, as well as leather upholstery in various tones and textures, and even more. Full connectivity will be ensured by the new generation of the internet-based COMAND Online infotainment system, as well as the supplementary touchpad for gesture operating and the Head Up Display for a more convenient windshield display of the main indicators.

The engine lineup will consist of petrol-only units. For all the variants, the new 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission will be standard equipment and will take care to send the power towards the rear or to all the wheels (for the 4MATIC model). At the start of sales, Mercedes-Benz will offer at least two variants: the S 500 Coupe with a 4.7 BlueDIRECT V8 powerplant producing 455 hp and the range-topping S 600 sporting a newly-developed, AMG-engineered twinturbocharged V12 engine rated at near 550 hp. Later on, the portfolio will be extended with the addition of the new S 63 AMG Coupe and S 65 AMG Coupe. The first will be offered in both standard version (with 571 hp from the 5.5-litre V8 BITURBO) and S-Model with Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive traction (with 585 hp). The 12-cylinder high-performance S-Class Coupe will remain committed to the rear-wheel-drive configuration, with the engine delivering a massive 650 hp.