Right now, the biggest Mercedes cabriolet model if we’re not mistaken is the E550. However, a lot of people with lots of money have been dreaming of buying an even bigger drop-top, something the size of the CL.

This hasn’t been available until now, but soon will, judging from this prototype that was recently spotted by our spy photographers. Mercedes clearly wants to fill the void left by the death of Maybach and do battle with Rolls Royce and Bentley in a sportier and more affordable way.

We can’t argue with that, nor can we argue with the fact that they’re killing off the CL name. The Mercedes lineup was rapidly becoming unfathomable for anybody that wasn’t an expert. Soon, up to five model versions, from sedan to coupe, droptop and who knows what else.

This is the very first sighting of the S-Class Cabriolet, a model which will take styling cues from the 2007 Ocean Drive concept and offering proper seating for four adults. That plastic cover probably hides one of the biggest folding fabric roofs on the market.

Mercedes will most likely dump all the latest technologies it has into the car, stuff like the company’s Airscarf neck-warming technology, which pups warm air around your neck to keep you comfortable. It should also have the new windshield washers installed in the wiper blades like the SL.

Expect Mercedes to also through in some active safety systems and a device that softens up suspension settings when a camera detects an incoming pothole.