Mercedes launches new Maybach luxury chariot

Mercedes-Benz is using the Maybach name once again, but instead of on a stand-alone sedan, it is appending the name to its own, thus the new Mercedes-Maybach S 600. The car is a variant of the S-Class luxury sedan, with a stretched wheelbase, revised exterior and thoroughly reworked interior.

The Maybach S 600 stretches out to 5453mm in length, 200mm longer than the long-wheelbase S-class. The wheelbase spans 3365mm, almost long enough to swallow a Hyundai Eon. The extra space goes all to the rear passengers, who get seating and equipment that looks good enough to be in an executive jet. The length puts it in between the Rolls-Royce Ghost and the Phantom. The new Maybach promises to be the world’s quietest production car.

The cabin uses leather to cover almost all surfaces, with trim done in wood and chrome, with chrome-plated tweeter grilles of the Burmester sound system. An IWC-designed clock is on the instrument panel. The lounge-style rear seats are like those in a jet’s business-class recliners, with a rake of 19 to 43 degrees and retractable calf support. Retractable tables can be popped out for writing, typing, or pressing the “Buy” button on your tablet’s stock-trading app. The Chauffeur package adds 77mm more footroom and heel support to the passenger seat.

Available equipment includes champagne flutes from German company Robbe & Berking, air filtration and perfume system, drinks warmer and cooler, seat massager, and electrically dimmable moonroof. The car is so large that a voice amplification system is included, allowing Jeeves to talk to you without raising his voice.

Although the wheelbase has been stretched, the rear doors have been shortened, allowing the rear passengers to sit behind the door opening, for a “feeling of exceptional privacy and exclusivity,” according to Mercedes.

Power is provided by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 capable of 530 hp and 830 Nm in the S 600, or a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 with 455 hp and 700 Nm.

The Maybach name is discreetly added onto the trunklid badge, and the double-M logo adorns the C-pillars. Maybach S-Class sees the introduction of Maybach as a sub-brand, the way Mercedes uses AMG for its sporty cars.

Mercedes says that this car will appeal to customers in China, Russia, and the USA,

“where high importance is attached to status symbols.” Indeed, the car launched at both the Guangzhou and Los Angeles Auto Shows only hours apart. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will be available in February 2015.