LuxuryCarMagazine En Luxury Car Review and News
Not three years after the Maybach was killed by its Mercedes-Benz parents, the German manufacturer has once again rebooted the brand, which can trace its name all the way back to the coachbuilt specials of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s.
(Los Angeles, CA) The difference this time, however, is that the Maybach name will carry on not as a brand unto itself, but as a sub-brand underneath the Mercedes umbrella, similar to the way AMG exists today. That’s why we see a Three-Pointed Star emblem on the hood as opposed to the Maybach double-M logo, although that can still be found elsewhere on the car.
It’s technically based on the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class, but a look inside will quickly dispel most feelings that this is just a gussied-up S600.
The leather is more opulent, the rear seats recline La-Z-Boy style, tables pop out from the centre console like on a first-class seat from a Lufthansa jet and while the S-Class gets special “scents” to add freshness to the cabin, the Maybach gets one unto itself. There are even pillows in the back seat that match the rest of the interior, and footrests for back-seat passengers. This is opulence x 1,000.
Of course, to adequately whisk the well-heeled occupants of the ‘Bach to the private jet, Alpine Ski Resort or senate, nothing but a V12 would do, hence the “S600” part of the name.
In this case, the 6L V12 is assisted by twin turbochargers, bringing output to 523 hp and 612 lb.-ft. of torque. Max torque, meanwhile, is available at just 1,900 r.p.m., meaning those in back may have no idea the engine’s on, even at Autobahn speeds.
The standard Magic Ride suspension, meanwhile, acts the same here as it does elsewhere in the line-up. That means it can actually see the road ahead, and adjust before the rear seat passengers—say Kim Kardashian and hubby Kanye West—ever knew what was underneath their sled.
Of course, most buyers probably won’t be driving these, which is likely why the rest of the switchgear inside the cabin hasn’t changed all that much from the S-Class, and neither has the digital gauge cluster. I understand why this is the case, but it’s hard not to think that a little bit of the “specialness” of the previous Maybach may be lost a little here.
Which doesn’t matter, really. Chances are plenty of Russian oligarchs, Saudi princes and American glitterati will by these in droves anyway.
