Mercedes is preparing a new generation S-Class for the 2013 model year, but as of late, the model was only offered as a sedan. Now, Mercedes plans on changing that by offering a total of four models, including, for the first time, a four-seater cabriolet.

During an interview with British magazine, AutoExpress, Dr. Uwe Ernstberger – Mercedes Program Manager for the S-Class – said: “The S-Class is the best luxury car in the world, and we have many surprises in terms of technology for the new model. It will deliver something very different to its rivals – and it will have a much broader range.”

The first model to arrive after the base version will be the previously rumored S600 Pullman, which will serve as a replacement for the recently discontinued Maybach line-up. Next, there will be a two-door S-Class coupe replacing the current CL-Class and a four-seater cabriolet featuring a vast folding roof inspired by the Ocean Drive Concept from the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. An E300 BlueTEC Hybrid version will also be offered.

via TopSpeed

Having stuttered along since March last year, Mercedes-owned Maybach is set to be discontinued in 2013. Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has confirmed to German media that the luxury brand is going to be wound down after years of disappointing sales.

Maybach’s ‘57? and ‘62? saloon models, based on the now obsolete S-Class W220, have now reached the end of their commercial lives and would need more than a simple re-styling to become competitive on the modern market again. With poor demand and paltry sales figures of less than a third of its closest rival Rolls-Royce, it seems the math just doesn’t add up for Mercedes-Benz, which means production will finish in 2013 when the new Mercedes S-Class goes on sale.

However, the German manufacturer won’t leave the ultra luxury sedan market behind as the new S-Class W222 will be made available in three different versions, one of which should end up adopting the historic ‘Pullman’ nameplate. This last model will be the one in charge of carrying the 3-pointed star flag in the most exclusive luxury segment, offering top-notch finishing and comfort to compete against the most garish models from Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Reports of Maybach’s demise have been coming for almost as long as the brand (in its modern iteration) has been around for, which is now just on eight years. But with no new models in the pipeline, paltry sales figures of less than a third of what its closest rival, Rolls-Royce, enjoys, and less demand for hyper expensive cars all around the globe, the writing is definitely on the wall for the German ultra-luxury brand.

According to latest reports, Maybach’s only model, the 57 sedan and its long-wheelbase 62 variant, will receive a mild facelift to see it to the end of its product cycle. The facelift, pictured in the gallery below, will consist primarily of a slightly tweaked grille, new headlights and a more aggressive lower air intake area.

By eliminating Maybach, the most expensive models in parent company Daimler’s arsenal will have to come from Mercedes-Benz. This will enable the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class to move more upmarket, which designers hope to do by injecting it with even more technology and avant-garde styling.

However, despite the gloom surrounding Maybach, there is some support for the brand from within Daimler. CEO Dieter Zetsche has previously explained that Maybach doesn’t have to return a profit because it shows that Daimler can at least build a car to compete with the best in the business, Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The other positive is that development costs for Maybach were relatively low because both the 57 and 62 models are largely based on the S-Class.

Adapted from MotorAuthority