The Mercedes-Maybach S600
Mercedes recently announced that they were reviving the esteemed Maybach brand, badging super luxurious versions of the Mercedes S-Class with the famed name – that was November, and now, just a few months later, the revival has already borne fruit in the shape of the new Mercedes-Maybach S600, to be released in April.
Image Credit: Mercedes-Maybach
Now, Maybach, as a brand, although famous for its pre-war luxury cars, one of the prides of the German motor industry, have a somewhat checkered history. In 1997, the decision was made to revive the brand, and two models, the Maybach 57, and the Maybach 62 were released. However, the sales never met their targets, and criticisms were fierce, while rivals such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Bentley Arnage continued to push on and innovate. So, what of the S600? Does it herald a new age for Maybach?
Well, first impressions say that yes it does. Although still based on the Mercedes S-class (not that this is necessarily a bad thing), the car takes drivers further into the lap of luxury than ever before. The 57 was huge, with criticisms of its maneuverability being very widespread. To combat this, the S600 is 11 inches shorter than its predecessor, yet this hasn’t come at the cost of removing any of the plush luxury. Inside, you’ll find hand-stitched leather, wood trim, silver-plated champagne flutes, reclining rear seats, and even retractable work surfaces which come out of the center console which runs through the car. The seats can give you a massage, and the cup holders can actively cool or warm your drinks for you. There’s little doubt that this is a car for the very, very rich.
Under the hood, you find a huge 6 liter V12, capable of going from 0-60 in 5 seconds, and hitting a top speed of 155 mph. I’ve no doubt it could go faster, were it not for the electronic limiter preventing this, but even these figures are extremely impressive given the car’s gargantuan 2.3 tonne weight. Despite the speed however, the passengers in the rear will remain unstirred. The passenger compartment is supremely quiet, and the ride is gloriously smooth.
Driving the car isn’t particularly an exercise in excitement, barring the acceleration, with the car more focused towards being smooth, plush, and comfortable. The steering can be a little sluggish at times, but this is unlikely to cause problems.
What’s more remarkable is the price for all this luxury – once the S600 goes on sale, it’ll cost $189K. Compare this to the Rolls-Royce Ghost, which costs $250K, or the Bentley Mulsanne, which comes in at $301K, and you’re left with what may just turn out to be one of the decade’s motoring success stories. The Maybach? It may be back.
