With the resurrection of the Maybach brand, Mercedes aim to capture a greater portion of the super-luxury space. Is this much more than an S-Class XL? We delve into the details.
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
It’s amazing how much can be achieved with will, ability, and clear focus. For Mercedes, it was a case of building something better than the best. The S-Class is what they’re about. It is the definitive Mercedes-Benz luxury car. It embodies all their values and almost always sets the benchmark for technology, safety and — it’s fair to say — is the last word in luxury for many. Mercedes launched the S-Class almost two years ago and it was a huge success. They followed it up with the diesel V6 and the fact that it took the game further by being locally manufactured was definitely a step in the right direction. The best or nothing, said Herr Benz, and, truth be told, they have delivered. Of course, it takes more than just one attempt to be the best. Continuously, diligently, and unassailably staying the best — that’s where the true challenge lies. And this, the Maybach S 600, shows that they’re right up there.
Touted by the company as the essence of luxury, the Maybach S 600 marks the re-launch of the iconic super-luxury brand, one that began 106 years ago, founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. Daimler-Benz acquired the brand back in 1960. However, the most notable cars of late were the 57 and 62 twins, which were based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Sales commenced in 2002 and lasted for just over a decade, after which the brand became defunct.
Reincarnation it was for Maybach, this time as a super-luxury sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, akin to high-performance sub-brand AMG. The base this time, too, was the S-Class, but a longer, more luxurious and most advanced version ever. Mercedes were clear about their programme this time, and the S-Class was created as a long-wheelbase model, with the shorter version derived from it. Also, this allowed a longer, more premium mode to be created to take on competition on a higher plane. The Maybach S-Class runs a wheelbase exactly 200 millimetres more than the S-Class L. As a result, the length has gone up by 207 mm, and weight by 150 kg (over the S 600 L). This allows for several more creature comforts, especially at the rear, where customers will be spending most if not all of their time.
While it is much longer, the exterior is akin to the S-Class, save for a few changes, notably to the front grille, which uses a three-slat version, embedded with the front camera which neatly conceals itself under the gloss black flap when not in use. The large side windows are tinted to reflect heat and light. The rear quarter panel is now much smaller and the thick C-pillar holds the ‘MM’ emblem; ‘Maybach-Motorenbau’ then, ‘Mercedes-Maybach’ now. More differentiating details include the matte-aluminium window-line and B-pillar accents, the new 19” specially machined alloy wheels wrapped in run-flat tyres, and the ‘V12’ badge on the front panel.
