Daimler is proud of its Mercedes-Benz S-class: The luxury sedan is not only a technology leader, it also outsells the Audi A8 and the BMW 7-series
combined. What a contrast to the Maybach 57 and 62, which launched in
2002 and then languished largely unchanged for more than 10 years. Based
on the W140 S-class, the Maybach was already somewhat outdated even
when new. And its sales were a disappointment—which we know because the
company unwisely revealed sales projections that the car ultimately
missed by a margin roughly the size of the Grand Canyon.
In creating a hyperluxury sedan this time around, Daimler played it safe—and in the process it created a much better car. The new Mercedes-Maybach S600
is a Mercedes-Benz S600 with an extra 7.9 inches of wheelbase and an
unprecedented level of equipment. It will cost just over half as much as
the previous Maybach, which retailed for $379,000 in 2013, although
there will be an extensive options list to bring its price way up from
the roughly $200,000 base price.
Taken for a Ride
Even though the new Mercedes-Maybach S600 is shorter than the old
Maybach 57, and thus far more maneuverable, it offers more room in the
rear passenger compartment. The launch event for the press was designed
so we could spend ample time back there, since this is how many
customers will experience the car. Both rear seats recline like
business-class seats on an aircraft, and together with extending
footrests, they make it easy to work, watch a movie, or simply fall
asleep. Daimler claims it offers the quietest rear passenger compartment
of any car in production. We believe it. However, we also think that
Daimler needs to take a hard look at the rear-seat entertainment system,
which is slow and fiddly.
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Powered by the familiar 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12, a 36-valve engine
rated at 523 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque, the Mercedes-Maybach
accelerates with alacrity. The company claims a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.0
seconds. Keep pressing the pedal, and a feeling that reasonably
approximates a corporate jet at takeoff continues up to the 155-mph
limiter.
There is no mistaking that this is a large car, yet the driving
experience is hardly different from that of a regular S-class. Our test
car was equipped with an air suspension that reacts to camera-scanned
road-surface data. Mercedes-Benz has refined this system to a remarkable
level since our experience with a prototype,
and it is quite apt at recognizing speed bumps. But it is not entirely
unfallible, so we would discourage the chauffeur from sailing over speed
bumps at highway velocities. It may catch four in a row, but the fifth
one could send the precious passengers and their silver-plated champagne
flutes flying.
Maybach-Exclusive Touches
Besides the aforementioned champagne flutes, Maybach-exclusive interior
features include bespoke wood trim inspired by the S-class coupe as well
as hand-stitched leather on the door panels. A full-length center
console with deployable work tables is optional. For all this, though,
Daimler could do more to differentiate the Maybach from the regular
S600. The car was rushed to market on a tight schedule, and it would
benefit from a few more Maybach-specific features.
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The changes to the exterior are rather more convincing. Aside from the
extra length, the front and rear fascias are based on those of the
standard S-class (which everyone foregoes in favor of the AMG package in
the U.S.) but receive an extra dollop of chrome. The greenhouse is
restyled with a rear-quarter window in the C-pillar, an almost
Bentley-esque flourish. And there are exclusive colors and massive
20-inch bowl-shaped aluminum wheels that are not available on any other
S-class.
Customers who miss the space of the old Maybach 62, fear not: At the
Geneva auto show, Daimler will launch the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman.
But whether you go Pullman or not, the upper-luxury segment has just
met its new technology leader—after all, it is based on the S-class,
itself a technology leaderKey Highlights
- 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine
- Nappa leather appointments, including the headliner, pillars and entire seats
- designo interior trims, plus additional options
- designo Manufaktur exterior colors, plus additional options
- Two standard Executive Rear Seats (outboard) with electronically adjustable calf support, 43.5-degree incline angle, rear seatbelt airbags and active belt buckles
- Standard champagne flutes
- Standard 20-inch wheels
- MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension with ROAD SURFACE SCAN
- Standard Rear Seat Entertainment Package
- PRE-SAFE® Brake with Pedestrian Recognition
- PRE-SAFE® PLUS rear-end collision protection
- BAS PLUS® with Cross-Traffic Assist
- Touchpad
- Head-up display
