UPDATE: New pic of Merc's S-Class Cabriolet

We knew it was coming. But here it is, official confirmation of some rather big news in more ways than one: your first look at the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet.

Yep, “the return of a star,” as Mercedes tells us, and a rather large star at that. The ‘standard’ S-Class don’t forget (if there can be such a thing) measures in at over five metres in length and weighs around two tonnes: the cabrio will be precisely no shorter and quite a bit heavier, too. Merc is hailing this new S Cabrio as the brand’s first “flagship-level luxury four-seater” since 1971.

It will get a world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in a bid to become "the most comfortable cabriolet in the world".

So, because this is a Cabriolet, we’d suspect Mercedes will dispense with the S-Class’s usual gamut of diesel offerings, instead plumping for the V8 petrols in the guise of the S500, and later, the S63 and S65 AMG versions, too. Tyre-smoking in a vast converti-limo? Why the heck not?

You can also expect the the S-Class saloon's excellent Magic Body Control, though the S-Class Coupe’s ‘Active Body Control’ – where the car sits lower and ‘leans’ into a bend for better cornering – might be given a miss. This is a big, luxury convertible, don’t forget.

The S-Class Cabriolet will, naturally, get Merc’s full swathe of driver tech and interior luxury, along with heated armrests and rear seats, fine wind protection and the 'Airscarf' neck-heating system. Naturally it shall also be healthily priced.

Stay tuned for more. This, or a Bentley GT Convertible?