The old Maybach used the same motor M275 twin-turbo petrol V12 in 5,513-cc guise. This one, however, is a new version, now displacing 5,980 cc, and putting out 530 PS and 830 Nm. With a weight of 2.3 tonnes, it still has a power-to-weight ratio of 227 PS/tonne. What that does is allow 0-100 km/h in just over six seconds and a top speed, as always, limited to 250 km/h. More importantly, the V12 motor feels effortless at all speeds. The smart seven-speed 7G-Tronic+ usually keeps the motor turning over at just below 2,000 RPM, which is ideal for quick acceleration or overtaking considering that the peak 830 Nm comes in at 1,900 RPM. The Maybach can sprint from 60 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
Being a car with a wheelbase the length of a small hatchback, the Maybach S 600 gets an array of features to provide not just its incredible ride quality, but also good handling. Magic Body Control is standard, with the CDC (continuous damping control) shock-absorbers prepped and ready for any change in road surface. The steering rack, too, is a high-power version; which, together with the stability control, makes changes in direction easy. The 360° Surround Camera also makes parking and U-turns a walk in the park.
Making our way back in the dark meant we could also sample the adaptive LED headlamps. High-beam allows for visibility far beyond the regular call of duty, and even standard beams provide excellent lighting and visibility even at highway speeds. High speeds mean good brakes, and the S 600 gets BAS-plus assisted high-performance rotors that allow a 100 km/h to standstill in just 2.7 seconds over less than 40 metres: great numbers for a car which, at the time, passengers included, weighed well over 2.5 tonnes.
Finally, the numbers which some people would probably still look for — fuel efficiency and price. Mercedes claim 5.9 km/l in the city and 11.4 on the highway. An overall figure of around seven km to the litre isn’t too bad then. With the features on offer and the craftsmanship going into its creation, the Maybach S 600’s competition includes just two cars — the Bentley Flying Spur and the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Both are priced significantly higher than the Maybach, which costs Rs 2.6 crore (ex-Pune).
The Maybach is more than a car, of course. It’s a statement. It’s a rolling work of art, and it announces one’s arrival better than hatted guard in a tunic with a trumpet to his lips. It’s the crème-de-la-crème of the three-pointed star’s portfolio, over a century of learning, leather, wood, aluminium and technology all magnificently culminating in a set of wheels.
