The Name of a Revived Luxury Car

"To create the best of the best." In the 1930s, Maybach's policy was to build ultra-luxury cars, aiming to create the ultimate vehicle that would fulfill every desire.

After Mercedes-Benz, which controls the Maybach brand, discontinued the Maybach (57 and 62) models launched in 2002, the name has finally been revived as Mercedes-Maybach.

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2014, the Mercedes-Maybach "S Class" is a four-door saloon designed for chauffeur-driven use. Its overall length and wheelbase are both 200mm longer than the standard S Class, doubling the rear legroom.

The test drive event took place in January 2015 in Santa Maria, California. This resort area, known for its wineries, is located near the coast. The Mercedes-Maybach S Class, scheduled for release in February, will be available in "S 600" and "S 500" models. The V12 S 600 was available for test drives.

The test drive began in the rear seat on the freeway, after which I had the opportunity to take the wheel myself. My primary interest was how it differed from the S 600 long, which represents the pinnacle of S Class comfort and performance. The result was a distinctly different, unique vehicle.

The Front Seatbacks Seem Miles Away

What distinguishes the Mercedes-Maybach from the original Maybach is its clear positioning as a sub-brand within Mercedes, a change implemented this time around.

The Mercedes brand will now consist of three pillars: the traditional "Mercedes-Benz," "Mercedes-AMG" (which has also undergone a name change) handling sporty models, and "Mercedes-Maybach" for luxury limousines. This is the new structure.

"A car that truly achieves the highest standards in luxury equipment and comfort," said Ola Källenius, head of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

While the styling closely resembles the S Class, a closer look at the profile (side view) reveals a distinctive quarter window added to the C-pillar.

Traditionally, Mercedes' motto has been "to build driver's cars," and adhering to automotive conventions, the company has maintained the four-light (a style without windows other than doors) design for its driver-focused vehicles.

In essence, the Mercedes-Maybach is a model that stylistically emphasizes its chauffeur-driven nature.

The rear seating area, designed to create privacy by enclosing occupants with the C-pillar, largely follows the S Class style. The leather seats, adorned with cross-stitching and appearing soft, feature numerous perforations for ventilation, indicating thoughtful consideration for functionality.

Once seated, the benefit of the expanded legroom is immediately apparent: it increases from 166mm in the S Class long-body to 325mm here. In a standard seating position, your feet might not even reach the front seatbacks, even when fully extended.

Plush, long-pile carpets cover the footwell. The Mercedes-Maybach S 600 destined for the US market will be equipped with run-flat tires, which typically result in a slightly firmer ride (a crucial feature for VIP transport). However, not a trace of vibration is felt underfoot. The measures taken to mitigate vibrations and harshness originating from the suspension are truly impressive.

Unparalleled Space

As Mercedes proudly claims, "the quietest production car in the world," no noise intrudes from the footwells, window surrounds, roof, or wheel arches. This makes it ideal for resting in the rear, utilizing the chauffeur position where the front passenger seatback is folded forward and the occupant's own seat is reclined.

It would also be suitable for picking up guests from the airport or conducting business meetings. Explaining company portfolios or business data on the monitor screen during transit would not require raising one's voice.

The storage compartment integrated into the armrest holds silver-plated champagne flutes from Robbe & Berking, a German silversmith. I neglected to confirm the presence of a champagne cooler, but the presentation is certainly delightful.

While the S 600 long also features an attractive rear seat with a center console reminiscent of an aircraft, the space here is overwhelmingly superior. If an owner of an S 600 long were invited to the rear seat of a Mercedes-Maybach S Class by an acquaintance, they might immediately consider trading in their vehicle.

Rivals: Bentley and Rolls-Royce

As mentioned earlier, this vehicle is offered with two engine options: a 4.7-liter V8 producing 335 kW (455 hp) (with a 4MATIC version to be added later) and a 6.0-liter V12 producing 390 kW (530 hp). Both are reportedly coming to Japan.

But why are two engine options necessary for a chauffeur-driven car? One might argue that even a 2-liter four-cylinder would suffice. When I posed this question to Johannes Reifenrath, responsible for product strategy, he smiled wryly and replied, "While that may be true in principle, owners of such vehicles value the image of 'having the very best.'"

Indeed, the traditional value placed on a higher cylinder count signifying greater luxury remains globally prevalent. "This car is fun to drive," a chauffeur in the US told me, and driving it myself confirmed this.

Thanks to the V12, which generates a maximum torque of 830 Nm from 1,900 rpm, the Mercedes-Maybach S Class is surprisingly powerful. The car responds quickly to steering inputs, making even the winding roads through the Santa Maria vineyards enjoyable to navigate.

In Japan, the price is reportedly under 30 million yen. Its rivals might include the Bentley Flying Spur (24.15 million yen). From a brand perspective, Rolls-Royce is also a competitor to Maybach, perhaps the Ghost Series II (31.32 million yen).

Reifenrath of Mercedes-Maybach S Class proudly stated, "This car is equipped with comprehensive safety and comfort packages, including Radar Safety Package, MAGIC BODY CONTROL, and Night View Assist. In terms of value for money, it stands apart from its rivals."