Modern Classic: Maybach

The Maybach debuted with two models, the 57 (right) and 62 (left). Images: Supplied

In the late 1800s Daimler-Maybach built their first automobile that debuted to the world in 1889. Maybach was acquired by Daimler Benz in 1960 and 37 years later, Daimler would surprise the world with the revival of its Maybach brand as a concept car at the 1997 Tokyo motor show.

BMW had purchased Rolls-Royce in 1998 and in 2000 Mercedes-Benz officially introduced the Maybach brand to the market as its top-spec luxury competitor, with first sales beginning in 2002.

The Maybach debuted with two models, the 57 and 62. Both names were a reference to the length of the car, being 5.7 metres if sir or madam was to drive themselves and 6.2 metres if a chauffeur was to be employed.

The Maybach 57 had a 5.5-litre twin turbo V12 rated at 405kW.

The equipment levels were sky high for their day with the base 57 getting heated and ventilated seats with massage functions and power operation even in the rear, rear fridge, voice-prompted navigation, and two-zone climate control systems. Options included an electrochromic sunroof, power side sunshades, and wireless headphones.

It even had Airmatic Dual Control special suspension, as standard, with extra spring rate adjustment with adaptive damping.

To that, the 62 added display instruments in the rear roof lining (like an airline), TV and DVD tuners in the back, soft closing rear doors, and a retractable electro transparent petition screen in the rear.

The 57 had heated and ventilated seats with massage functions, and voice prompted navigation.

At the China Motor Show in 2000 Mercedes revealed the “62S” with its more powerful engine. In 2005, at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes introduced the same engine to the “57S”. 

In 2007, the “62 Landaulet” body style was brought to the market at the Middle East motor show and only eight units were produced. 

In 2009 the more powerful “Zeppelin” model appeared at the Geneva motor show. The Zeppelin package could be added to the S models and got special extras like 20-in chrome wheels and special beige Californian leather.

Speeds to 100km/h were suitably quick with the 57 at 5.1 seconds.

The “standard” 57 was powered by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 rated at 405kW was used in both cars. This engine was different from the naturally aspirated V12 which appeared in the 1998 W220 S600 and was the same engine that later appeared in a detuned state in the 2003 facelift of the S600.

The “S” version of the 57 and the standard 62 gained a 450kW version of this engine. And then of course there was the Zeppelin pumping out 471kW if you one really must have the ultimate, while the Landaulet shared this engine.

The Maybach 62 V and DVD tuners in the back, and a retractable electro transparent petition screen in the rear.

Speeds to 100km/h were suitably quick with the 57 at 5.1 seconds; the 57S and 62 at 4.8 seconds; and the 62S and Landaulet at 4.5 seconds. These were seriously quick figures for their day.

By 2013, the Maybach brand had been halted. Financial losses had piled up and it was said of the 3000 cars sold since 2000, the average loss was around €330,000 per car. It was said that the Maybach cars weren’t special enough over the S-Class and had dated technology versus their competitors.