Its look is somehow both elegant and athletic, refined and muscular, comforting and exhilarating…and breathtaking all around. The adjectives and emotions don’t end with the exterior for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, however. Drive--or ride--in this 2-door masterpiece and you’ll be thrilled by its on-road performance and in-cabin opulence alike.

The coupe is part of the Mercedes-Benz flagship lineup of S-Class vehicles, which also includes a sedan and convertible. Its main rivals are the BMW 7 series and Audi A8, but the S-Class Coupe is probably more comparable to a Bentley Continental GT than its German counterparts.

Introduced last year, there are almost no changes for the 2016 S-Class Coupe. But there is a new option that gives you an idea of the kind of vehicle we are talking about: the headlight assemblies can be highlighted with 47 Swarovski crystals. If that doesn’t paint a crystal clear picture, a price range starting at $121,550 and ending around $250,000 should help clarify.

There are three trims for the S-Class Coupe, the S550, AMG S63, and AMG S65, and each comes with its own unique powertrain. The S550 gets a biturbo 4.7-liter V8 that produces 449 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission, goes from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, gets mileage of 16 mpg city/24 highway/19 combined and, like all the S-Class Coupes, is all-wheel drive (AWD).

The AMG 63 comes with a biturbo 5.5-liter V8 that delivers 577 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Its 7-speed automatic transmission and AWD system are performance-tuned, and the AMG 63 goes from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and gets mileage of 15/23/18. The AMG 65 ups the ante with a biturbo V12 that cranks out 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. It gets the same AMG performance transmission and AWD as the AMG 63, goes from 0-60 in 4.0 seconds, and gets mileage of 13/20/15.

All that power does not overwhelm the S-Class Coupe. In fact, just the opposite occurs. The adjustable air suspension provides an obscenely comfortable ride and the steering is a breeze. The S550 is quick off the line, adeptly navigates corners, and runs whisper quiet. But if you want a truly sporty experience, including a more throaty roar from beneath the hood and a race-car feel while cornering, the AMG models are the way to go.

Once you’ve picked your jaw off the floor after admiring the S-Class Coupe's exterior lines, prepare to pick it up again after stepping inside. The cabin is roomy (especially for a 2-door, and even in the back seat), gorgeous, crafted with precision, and extravagant without flaunting it. Not only has the cabin been upgraded from the previous, fifth-generation S-Class, it’s also different than the rest of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Some high-end models simply build on the manufacturers' less expensive models, but that’s not the case here. The S-Class Coupe is its own stunning and unique self.

The list of standard features for all three trims is, of course, a lengthy one. Some of the highlights for the S550 include a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, navigation, an automatic parking system, leather upholstery, all-LED lighting (including adaptive headlights and automatic high beam control), automatic wipers with heated blades, dual-zone automatic climate control (with air purification and cabin fragrance systems), 12-way power front seats (with heating, 4-way lumbar, and memory settings), two 12.3-inch display screens, a rear-view camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, WiFi hotspot, and a 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system with a 6-CD/DVD changer, two USB audio inputs, an iPod/media player interface, HD and Satellite Radios, TuneIn Internet radio, and 10GB of digital music storage. All of the electronics are controlled by the COMAND interface, which uses those two display screens and a touchpad/rotary knob, and has been well received by both consumers and critics.

The S63 AMG includes all of the S550's features and adds 20-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes, and the different engine, transmission, and AWD system. The S65 upgrades with a standard Driver Assistance Package (available on the S550 and S63 and featuring a blind-spot warning system, a lane-departure warning system, pedestrian recognition for the collision prevention system, a rear-impact detection and preparedness system, and an advanced adaptive cruise control system that essentially drives for you in gridlock), a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, 20-inch wheels, a night vision system, and a 24-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system.

The S-Class has long been a model line with advanced safety technology, and the Driver Assistance package certainly carries on that tradition. And all S-Class Coupe trims come standard with traction and stability control, antilock brakes, front and rear side airbags, front pelvic airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, a rear-view camera, a driver inattention warning system, a collision prevention system, and Mercedes’ mbrace emergency system that includes automatic collision notification, stolen-vehicle location assistance, alarm notification, an SOS emergency services button, geo-fencing for valets and teenage drivers, and remote vehicle controls.