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2016 Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet airs out the good life

Mercedes-Benz has finally dropped the top on its range-topping model, the long-lived S-Class. The new cabriolet takes the handsome, sophisticated good looks of the hardtop model and adds a three-layer canvas roof that can be lowered or raised in just 20 seconds. On top of the unlimited headroom, the new S-Class Cabriolet adds Mercedes' popular AirScarf neck-warming system, as well as a new nine-speed automatic transmission on the S550 model. As we previously reported, the S63 AMG will continue to use the seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. Both cars match their hardtop and four-door counterparts in terms of output. On top of AirScarf, Mercedes also fitted the Thermotronic climate control system. It uses 12 sensors and 18 actuators to measure a wide array of metrics, all in the pursuit of keeping the cabin temperature at the driver's ideal temperature. Scroll up for our full gallery of photos of the new S-Class Cabriolet from the floor of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. We also have the official press release from Mercedes down below. Check them out. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Open-top luxury Stuttgart. The new S-Class Cabriolet is the fourth variant of the current S-Class family in the U.S. market and the first open-top flagship four-seater from Mercedes-Benz since 1971. It offers a distinctive, sensual and exclusive design, the cutting-edge technology of the S-Class and a comprehensive warmth and wind protection concept which includes intelligent climate control for convertibles. The elegantly sporty model will have its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September. Also on display in Frankfurt will be a superlative dream car from Mercedes-AMG in the guise of the S63 4MATIC Cabriolet. Its 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine offers an output of 577 hp and peak torque of 664 lb-ft, AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive with rear-biased torque split as standard and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. "After 44 years we are once again able to offer Mercedes aficionados an open-top car in the S-Class. The new S-Class Cabriolet symbolizes our passion for individual and timelessly exclusive mobility, which we share with our customers," remarks Ola Kallenius, Board Member of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales. The new S-Class Cabriolet is exceptionally rigid.

Automakers' sound systems: Crank it, don't yank it

Years ago, one of the first things most music lovers did after buying a new vehicle was drive to an aftermarket stereo shop to get the crappy stock components swapped for better gear. And you'd typically get not only better sound but also more bang (and boom) for your buck. But in the past decade or so, the overall quality of OEM audio has dramatically increased, while car electronics became more complex, removing the incentive for most new vehicle owners — and all but the most hardcore DIYer — to start from scratch. In 2010, I did a comparison of the average costs for OEM electronics vs. similar offerings from the aftermarket, and back then automakers' stock premium systems were by far the best bargain — and are probably an even better value now. The premium 14-speaker, 1,200-watt JBL system in the all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon is a prime example of this trend. It's standard on the top two Limited and Touring trims and is available as a $680 audio upgrade on the XLE and XSE. I doubt you can even buy 14 speakers and 1,200 watts of amplification from the aftermarket for 700 bucks, much less have it all installed. And because the system is bundled with Toyota's Entune infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and a surround-view camera, removing the head unit means you would likely lose these features. Another advantage of OEMs and their audio partners is they can design the car around the audio system. In the past, automakers would typically place speakers where convenient for packaging, not for optimal sound reproduction, and audio engineers were forced to compromise. But as with the Avalon's premium JBL audio system, this is starting to change. At a recent behind-the-scenes peek for media into the process of developing the system, Toyota and Harman engineers delved into the minutia of sealing the inner panel of the front doors to create an enclosure for 6x8-inch woofers, making space in the pillars for JBL horn tweeters and extensively measuring the acoustic properties of the interior to tune the sound to the space. I'm met some creative and skilled car stereo installers, but none with a degree in psychoacoustics. The system is also the first to feature Quantum Logic Surround that creates a multi-channel listening experience from two-channel sources. And it includes Harman's Clari-Fi processing that "rebuilds key details lost" in compressed audio formats used by streaming music services and MP3s.

New Forza 6 car pack adds 1,000 hp German race truck

Today, Forza Motorsport 6 continues its pattern of monthly updates with seven new cars in the Turn 10 Select Car Pack. The diverse group of cars spans nearly 60 years of motoring history with a combination three street and four track cars from Germany, Italy, the UK, and the UK. Turn 10 Studios will also release an update that brings back Monza, Catalunya, and the Circuit of the Americas tracks. The seven vehicles in the pack are the 1957 BMW Isetta 300 Export, the 1969 Ford Brawner Hawk III, the 1980 Fiat 124 Sport Spider, the 2014 Jaguar #14 Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar XK, the 2014 Chevrolet #4 ROAL Motorsport RML Cruze TC1 WTCC, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz #24 Tankpool24 Racing Truck, and the 2015 McLaren 570S Coupe. The BMW, Fiat, and McLaren all represent iconic vehicles for their respective brands. While the BMW may not be fast and the McLaren is the baby of the brand, their importance can't be overstated. It also can't be a coincidence that Fiat is releasing an all-new 124 Spider, now based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata, just as Forza is adding in a version of the original. The racecars share a similar iconic nature. The Ford Brawner Hawk III won the 1969 Indianapolis 500 with Mario Andretti at the wheel. The team behind the GT3 XK has ties with Jaguar going back decades. The Chevrolet Cruze is one of the most successful cars in the history of the World Touring Car Championship. Finally, the Mercedes-Benz racing truck was added because the developers saw them in real life and thought racing these big trucks would be cool. The car pack is available to for $7 total, or players can purchase each car individually. Related video: Related Gallery Forza 6 Car Pack Toys/Games BMW Fiat Mercedes-Benz forza car pack