What AMG is for performance and power, Maybach is for luxury. Daimler’s ultra luxury automobile division which had few years ago announced the full stop on Maybach production due to depleting sales is back. The company recently unveiled the stylish new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class in a series of events taking place around the world. Ammar Alvi has more.
Mercedes has used China’s Auto Ghangzhou show to revive the Maybach name on an ultra high-end S-Class. The Mercedes-Maybach S600 is a long-wheelbase, V12-powered flagship for the Mercedes range, and aims to offer a level of exclusivity beyond that offered by the standard S-Class range. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has been hailed as the world’s quietest production saloon car and it is considerably larger than the S-Class saloon with long wheelbase, meaning there is a lot more room in the back seats of the model.
The S600 is powered by a 6.0-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine making 390 kW (530 hp) and 830 Nm (612 lb.ft) of torque. Despite the big outputs, Mercedes has focused on cabin refinement with the S600. The German manufacturer claims its long wheelbase S-Class “boasts an exceptionally low level of wind noise,” which helps make the rear cabin the “quietest in the world” from a production limousine.
As well as being quiet, the S600’s rear seat should be spacious. Mercedes has extended the S-Class’ wheelbase by 20 cm (eight inches), and the “Executive” rear seats can be reclined thanks to the S600’s standard Chauffeur Pack. You won’t even need to shout instructions to your chauffeur; the S600 is fitted with a voice amplification system that means you’ll never need to raise your voice from the back seat again.
Says Ola Källenius, member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, responsible for sales, “The history of prestige vehicles made by Daimler extends back to the earliest days of the motor car. We have now commenced a new chapter with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. As an addition to the portfolio of S-Class saloons, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sets new standards in the luxury segment.”
The prestigious interiors also offer buyers extensive scope for individualisation, giving them the chance to create their own unique version of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. Mercedes and Maybach have insisted that the Mercedes-Maybach link should not be seen as an equipment line, instead describing it as “a sub-brand that in future will provide Mercedes-Benz vehicles in an even more exclusive form”.
In terms of design, the car presents some changes to the front grille compared to the S-Class. Thus, it has the name Maybach located in more places, and is equipped with shorter doors. The major differences between an S-Class L, and an S-Class Maybach is the feel inside, with rear-seat passengers being pampered with various gadgets, in addition to extra space and the special seats provided. The German manufacturer offers special glasses of champagne, handmade, for rear seat occupants.
Daimler stopped Maybach limousines production in 2012 after efforts to market cars based on a unique design and a price of $380,000 were not successful. Only 200 Maybach cars were sold in 2011.
Mercedes-Benz is also expected to offer an armored version of the Mercedes Maybach, but like the standard sedan and Pullman variants, it will not be available in the US. The armored version is expected to offer VR9-level ballistic protection, as in the S600 Guard. The Mercedes Maybach S600 and S65 are expected to be available for orders from the spring of 2015 with prices starting from $200,000 and in India with duties approx Rs 3 crore onwards.