Mercedes-Benz India have launched not one, but two new models – the S 500 and S 600 – under their exclusive new sub-brand Maybach.
While we already reported about the launch of the Mercedes-Maybach S 600, the fact that Mercedes-Benz India went two steps ahead and launched the S 500 as well, and also announced of its production here at their facility in Chakan, marks two important milestones in the company’s journey onward. The Maybach name is only a part of the most exclusive automobile examples, and the marque being resurrected is one thing, but having local assembly makes it even more special.
The Mercedes-Maybach S 500 is the less expensive of the two – the S 600 being priced at Rs 2.6 crore – at Rs 1.67 crore. That may seem like small change compared to the Rs 5 crore the Maybach 62 demanded about a decade ago. The difference is, here, in the S 500, the platform is shared. The S-Class W222, if you recall, was created as a standard lang model, with the shorter wheelbase model derived from it, rather than the other way around. Secondly, this was on the cards since the design was conceived. Rather than have an S 500, S 500 L and S 500 XL, we have the Maybach S 500, instead of the last of those three. In fact, an even longer Maybach Pullman model – longer by over one metre, or XXL, if you will – is also present, having being introduced recently to the global audience.
The Maybach S 500 also shares a lot of components closely with the S-Class L, which is also being assembled here in India. The Maybach represents a stretch of this car, with a length of 5,453 mm, 207 mm more than the S-Class L, with a wheelbase exactly 200 mm more, 3,365 mm vs 3,165 mm. The engine too is shared, with the 4.7-litre BiTurbo V8 making 455 PS and 700 Nm paired to the new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
Furthermore, the Maybach S 500 has all the goodies and techno-wizardry that the S 600 does, including the Magic Body Control-based AIRMATIC air suspension set-up, the AIR BALANCE package and the reclining seats with Chauffeur Package. Even the panoramic sun roof with the optional Magic Sky Control is on offer. How does it matter? At Rs 1.67 crore, it’s great value. Hear me out.
The cars that the Maybach S-Class competes with are nothing short of those from the Bentley and Rolls-Royce stable. While at Rs 2 crore, it may seem half as much as you would pay for a Ghost Series II, or 33 per cent less than the Bentley Flying Spur, but the level of luxury on offer is the same. It’s essentially a humongous, more luxurious S-Class against the equivalent 7 Series and Phaeton. The Maybach S has the quietest cabin in the world, and with the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley Mulsanne around, that’s really saying something. However, while Rolls don’t have any other engine to offer in the Ghost, Bentley and Mercedes do. They have twin-turbo V8s which are no less capable at hauling the well-over-two-tonne weight with ease. The main difference here is, the Mercedes-Maybach is now coming out of a plant near you, and that makes all the difference in value. The Flying Spur, at Rs 3.10 crore, is 50 lakh more than the S 600, and 1.43 crore more than the S 500. If that’s not good value, I don’t know what is. However, I don’t think Mercedes-Maybach would like me classifying their latest flagship as the best value super-luxury super-saloon. The Rolls-Royce Phantom begins from Rs 8 crore, the Bentley Mulsanne from Rs 5.5 crore, while the Ghost starts at just over Rs 4 crore, all of which are the base prices, without any personalisation, options or taxes. Pick either one, that’s still a significant amount more for what is, plain and simply, art from a similar vein from a different brand.
That said, the Maybach badge is about exclusivity and individuality and those who have the aspiration for a legendary brand, will work up the amount required to acquire one. For those who want something bigger, longer and more exclusive than an S-Class, the Maybach S 500 is just what the doctor ordered. More so, it doesn’t have any unticked boxes. It has the air suspension, the reclining seats, the massive displays, champagne flutes, ionising air cleaner, dual-zone rear climate control, Designo leather, the works… If a 5.5-metre long super-luxury saloon from a renowned automotive marque with all of those elements comes at you for Rs 1.67 crore plus tax, I’d say that’s a great value deal indeed.
Another reason why this was a milestone for Mercedes-Benz India is because this is the last launch at the hands of Eberhard Kern, who moves on to Europe in a different role with Mercedes-Benz. Roland Folger, who was handling operations in Malaysia and south-east Asian markets, takes over at the helm of Mercedes-Benz India. It has been a wonderful three years for Mercedes-Benz with Mr Kern as the CEO, many launches, not just cars, but new dealers in many new cities as well as five AMG Performance Centres are to the company’s credit during his tenure. We, at Car India, wish him a fond farewell and hope to see many more launches and milestones from Mercedes-Benz and Mr Folger. The AMG GT, S-Class Cabriolet, GLE-Class, GLE-Coupé as well as the smaller GLC-Class and its Coupé are all expected in the near future.
Story: Jim Gorde
