• Fabulously stylish and solid cockpit
• Comfortable seats and adjustable driving position
• Digital dashboard is sharp and easy to read

A lot of expensive-looking materials have been used in the cabin of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and it makes you feel pretty special before you’ve even pressed the starter button.

With the roof down this is amplified not only by the fact that everyone else can see in too, but because it takes on the atmosphere of a finely finished powerboat, rather than something as mainstream as a car.

Optionally heated seats and steering wheel are complimented by electrically warmed centre console and door armrests too, keeping everything you touch nicely toasty when the sun disappears behind a cloud.

There are two screens instead of a standard analogue dial set up – one displaying the speedometer and rev-counter and trip compute, while the second can be customised to show multimedia or sat-nav information, using the large touchpad and wheel just in the central armrest.

• Quiet with the roof up or down
• Comfortable seats with optional massage
• A few squeaks and creaks in our test car

Roof up or down the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is a supremely refined place to be. The soft-top is made up of multiple layers of material, insulating both heat and noise effectively, and makes it hard to separate from the coupe when shut.

Fold it away underneath the boot and the noise levels don’t increase dramatically – wind and bluster are sent over the passenger compartment without ruffling the hair of its occupants. Even tall drivers will find themselves beneath the airstream thanks to an extendable spoiler that pops out from the top of the windscreen and works with the rear windbreak to further divert the breeze.

Pick the massaging seats and you can choose between several different types of relaxing backrub, while the enormous motor ahead consumes the long French motorway miles between you and St Tropez in warbly burble of the exhaust.

The only things ruining the ambiance in our test car were the odd creak from the dashboard and the squeaking of rear seat leather over rough surfaces, slightly undermining the impression of quality. Easily drowned out by the bellowing V8, though.