The Mercedes-Benz Concept S-class Coupe in the NBK Automobiles pavilion at the Qatar Motor Show. Right: A view of some of the Mercedes-Benz models in the NBK Automobiles pavilion at the Qatar Motor Show. PICTURES: Jayan Orma

By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter

The debut of the much anticipated Mercedes-Benz Concept S-class Coupe at the Qatar International Motor Show has provided, this early, an optimistic forecast in terms of sales even if the German car company is set to put the vehicle into production tentatively by the end of 2014.

Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al-Thani, assistant manager of Nasser bin Khaled (NBK) Automobiles, told Gulf Times yesterday he had already received orders from would-be S-class coupe owners days prior to the motor show.

“The S-class coupe has had a firm acceptance [from the public]. During the motor show, I already received at least 15 inquiries for orders. Prior to the motor show, I had six orders already,” he revealed.

The S-class coupe is still a concept car that will eventually be in production tentatively in either November 2014 or early 2015, Sheikh Faleh al-Thani explained.

The concept S-class coupe is powered by a V8 Biturbo engine, producing 335kW (455hp) from a displacement of 4,663cc with a peak torque is 700Nm and is equipped with the “intelligent drive” technology from Mercedes-Benz.

NBK Automobiles general manager Khaled Shaaban said the S-class coupe is seen for the first time in Qatar. “We are proud to be able to present this top-of-the-line concept model at the 2014 Qatar Motor Show,” he said.

Shaaban added that the S-class coupe’s appearance and style “embodies the philosophy of Mercedes-Benz for the next generation – purity as an expression of modern luxury.”

The highly-anticipated entry of the S-class coupe in the market will eventually replace Mercedes-Benz’s CL model, the company’s topmost luxury car, according to Sheikh Faleh al-Thani.

“The CL has always been doing very well in Qatar because it is a very elegant car and most Qataris like to drive high-end, fashionable luxury cars but the S-Class will eventually replace the CL, which will stop production by the end of this year. And the S-Class will be the new baby for [Mercedes-Benz] luxury [cars],” he noted.

But while the S-class coupe has been receiving phenomenal raves from motorists and enthusiasts, Sheikh Faleh al-Thani said the concept car has yet to overtake the phenomenal sales record of the Mercedes-Benz’s “normal” S-class, which he described as a versatile vehicle.

After its introduction to the public, sales for the S-class was unprecedented, he recalled. “It was driving people crazy; the demand was so high that we could not even get more cars to sell,” he said, adding that “The multifunction use of the S-Class makes it popular among families, business executives, and even in government.”

Also making its debut in Qatar and in the Middle East was the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG.

The new four-door coupe offers a combination of a sporty driving experience and boasts of the AMG 2.0-litre turbo engine, touted as the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in series production worldwide.

The performance coupe accelerates from zero to 100km per hour with a top speed of 250km per hour.

The combination of high performance and torque, together with the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, gives the CLA 45 AMG driving characteristics almost at par with other sports cars.

According to Sheikh Faleh al-Thani, the CLA 45 AMG has been receiving “a wide variety of reviews from people because it is a new and sporty car, making it famous among circuit car drivers and enthusiasts.”

“People are still getting used to the CLA 45 AMG but it that can compete with the likes of Porsche and other cars that are very good on track and it competes well with other hatchbacks like Volkswagen,” he stressed.

Sheikh Faleh al-Thani also emphasised that the CLA 45 AMG “is a very good class to be introduced to Mercedes at this time. This shows the variety and direction that Mercedes is veering to.”