WIRED Staff
Transportation

Slideshow: Mercedes' New Age of Elegance

The German automaker declares its intention of building its first four-door touring car since the '60s. But even the Gettys will have to be patient. By Lou Ann Hammond.
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," nicknamed after West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, was put to rest.Photo courtesy Greg Jarem for Mercedes-Benz.

See related story: Mercedes' New Age of Elegance

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The leather interior of the Ocean Drive was shipped from Milan.

Photo courtesy Greg Jarem for Mercedes-Benz.
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Mercedes-Benz stripped the entire bodywork of its flagship S-60 to create the Ocean Drive. What remained of the floor assembly was fitted with cross-bracing and reinforcements that gave the convertible the necessary torsional stiffness.

Photo courtesy Greg Jarem for Mercedes-Benz.
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The Ocean Drive steering wheel is not the usual circular three-spoke design. Wagener took cues from racecars created a wheel with two spokes that's flat on the bottom, giving the driver more leg room.

Photo courtesy Greg Jarem for Mercedes-Benz.
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The Ocean Drive's designer, Gorden Wagener.

Photo courtesy Greg Jarem for Mercedes-Benz.