The introduction of the 2004 Maybach marks the beginning of a new era of super-luxury sedans. Making its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Maybach 62 blends 21st-century technology and innovation with classic hand craftsmanship and attention to detail in ways not possible in conventional mass production. Maybach, a sister brand to Mercedes-Benz, plays a crucial role in the DaimlerChrysler Group by leading the automotive world in new luxury concepts and benchmarks.
The Maybach brand marks the return of building and selling grand luxury automobiles in a way that disappeared 60 years ago. It is a return to the true commissioned car - the car built precisely to a customer's specifications. The Maybach Manufaktur in Sindelfingen, Germany will build approximately 1,000 of these magnificent automobiles each year, with nearly half of production coming to the United States. Pricing, to be announced later in the year, will start around $350,000 for the long-wheelbase Maybach 62.
The Maybach name honors Wilhelm Maybach, one of the most important engineers of the automotive age. Maybach worked closely with Gottlieb Daimler in the late 19th century to build the first internal combustion-powered automobiles and went on to design the first Mercedes car in 1901. Considered the first modern car, the 1901 Mercedes was a tremendous leap ahead of horseless carriages of the day and became the basic blueprint for all cars to follow. Wilhelm's son Karl was also an engineering mastermind who, from 1921 to 1941, developed and put the Maybach name on 1,800 of the finest custom-built luxury cars in the world.
Customers commission a new Maybach at Mercedes-Benz dealers that have elected to sell and service the vehicles in the U.S. By the end of 2003, approximately 80 Maybach dealers are expected to be built, with the majority up and running by the end of February. In a special commissioning studio, the dealership's Maybach Relationship Manager (MRM) helps the customer design a Maybach using an interactive computer simulator with a 50-inch plasma screen, along with samples of select Maybach wood, leather and paint finishes. It takes approximately four months to construct and deliver a Maybach, and the production facility will complete just four or five cars per day. This deliberate production pace allows Maybach to accommodate individual customer choices, such as special interior fittings and trim as well as extensive handcrafting.
Two models will be offered - the Maybach 57 and the Maybach 62. As with luxury yachts, the badging denotes vehicle length in meters (5.73 and 6.17 meters). The Maybach 57 is 225.3 inches long on a 133.5-inch wheelbase. The Maybach 62, which will account for about 15 percent of sales, measures 242.5 inches long on a 150.7-inch wheelbase, making it the longest production automobile in the world. Both models provide an extraordinary driving experience, although the Maybach 62 has been designed with chauffeur driving in mind.
The Maybach was designed to drive like a private luxury jet for the road. Both models are powered by a 543-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V12 engine that produces 664 lb.-ft. of peak torque at only 2,300 rpm. Teamed to a five-speed electronic automatic transmission specially developed to handle this level of torque, the engine can rocket the Maybach 57 from zero-to-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds (5.4 seconds for the Maybach 62) in near-silence. Just as impressive, the Maybach will leap from 35 mph to 75 mph in only 6.5 seconds.
Innovations adapted from sister brand Mercedes-Benz helps to ensure that braking, handling and safety match such performance. The array of technology includes the electronic braking system, Airmatic DC air suspension, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a supplemental restraint system with 10 airbags.
The private jet analogy also applies to the Maybach interior, where spaciousness, luxury and comfort have no peers within the automotive realm. The multifunction center console between the rear seats houses a DVD player, VHF TV tuner, six-disc CD changer, telephone system, a refrigerated compartment with its own compressor -- even a sophisticated system that holds a champagne bottle and two flutes securely in place.
The exclusive concert-quality, 21-speaker Bose Everywhere Dolby sound system envelopes each occupant with concert hall quality sound. In both Maybach models, rear passengers can watch television or DVD playback on two power-tilt-adjustable, high-resolution 9.5-inch LCD screens. The system features auxiliary inputs for camcorders, mp3 players, or game consoles. Standard wireless headphones in the rear enable the vehicle to play three separate entertainment programs simultaneously - offering front and rear passengers a truly individualized entertainment experience.
In the front cabin, the COMAND (COckpit MANagement and Data) system integrates controls for the standard navigation, audio and telephone systems. An in-car voice control system allows driver operation of commonly used phone and audio system features.
The interior is outfitted with the finest materials available, including hand-fitted Grand Nappa leather, nubuck leather trim, Alcantara-trimmed headliner and pillars, deep-nap velour carpeting and a choice of three fine woods - cherry, amboyna or walnut. All four seats are heated, with active ventilated seats available. Power rear window curtains provide a measure of privacy for the occupants.
The power-adjustable front and rear seats include dynamic multicontour seatbacks with pneumatically adjustable lumbar, shoulder and side bolster air chambers. A massage function gently pulsates the central lumbar cushion to reduce muscle fatigue. The rim of the four-spoke multifunction steering wheel is clad in Nappa leather and fine wood sections, and the leather can be heated as standard equipment.
Specialist suppliers cut a total of approximately 210 leather sections to size for every Maybach and sew them together into 62 larger pieces - all by hand. 100 fine wood trim sections tastefully embellish most of the surfaces in the doors, center consoles and even the cabin ceiling. All are carefully handcrafted and individually selected by experienced specialists to ensure matching grain and shade.
New Luxury Innovations All four doors of the Maybach feature an infinitely adjustable hydraulic retainer system that helps prevent the doors from knocking against obstructions in tight parking places. A standard power-closing feature pulls the door closed from the first detent position. Standard on the Maybach is a full power door-pull feature that pulls the doors closed from fully open.
Ambient interior lighting creates a pleasant, diffused lighting effect that remains switched on even when the car is moving, providing a more intimate and relaxing atmosphere for passengers. The optionally available electro-transparent rear roof section for the Maybach 62 is lined with an electro-luminescent membrane that, when switched on, emits a pleasant, diffused light. Rear passengers can control the panel's lighting intensity.
Rear seats in the Maybach 57 include power adjustments for seatback and cushion angle, plus head restraint height and angle. The Maybach 62 applies its extra length to what is undeniably the most luxurious automobile seating in the world today. Individual rear seat recliners provide full body support even for a tall passenger. Pressing the Pulse button provides an air-driven gentle back massage. Folding tables, standard on the Maybach 62 and optionally available for the Maybach 57, are made from machined aluminum with a two-part surface veneered in fine wood and with undersides covered in Nappa leather.
For the Maybach 62, an optional glass partition between the front and rear sections operates at the touch of a button to separate the front and rear sections of the vehicle. For added privacy, a curtain can be drawn across it. When so equipped, the Maybach 62 also includes an intercom to allow the rear passengers and the chauffeur to communicate. A classic touch in the rear compartment of both Maybach models is a binnacle between the B-pillars that houses an auxiliary speedometer, outside temperature gauge and clock.
The Maybach is equipped with two state-of-the-art automatic climate control systems - one for the front section and one specifically for the rear. Both systems are sensor-controlled to take into account the temperature, humidity, the intensity of the sunshine and even the pollutant levels in the outside air. The system ensures that the set temperature remains constant and virtually draft-free for every seat. An available solar module on the roof converts sunlight into up to 63 Watts of electrical energy. The power runs a ventilation fan when the ignition is turned off to help keep the interior cool.
The Airmatic DC (Dual Control) air suspension system endows the Maybach with an uncanny combination of ride isolation and agility. The system combines an actively controllable air suspension with the Adaptive Damping System (ADS II), allowing the Maybach to adapt to driving conditions and road surfaces. Rubber bellows filled with compressed air ensure comfortable springing, while ADS II regulates the shock absorber damping force depending on the road surface, driving style and vehicle load.
Double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension system are attached to subframes via special rubber bushings, and the subframes are mounted to the body structure via newly developed hydraulically damped bearings. This configuration provides the highest level of isolation from the road. Nineteen-inch cast light-alloy wheels accentuate the commanding appearance of the Maybach. The wheels measure eight inches wide with 275/50R-19 tires.
An adaptive restraint system helps provide the highest level of occupant protection and includes 10 airbags: two in front (2), a side airbag in each seatback (4) and front and rear head protection curtain airbags for each side (4). The driver and front passenger airbags automatically adapt to the severity of an accident. The adaptive airbag system takes front passenger weight into account and deploys with the appropriate power. In the Maybach 62, the rear seat recliners are designed to move to an upright position in the event of a collision.
The electronic braking system, also featured on some Mercedes-Benz vehicles, transmits the driver's brake commands electronically - or by wire -- rather than by conventional mechanical linkage. To help enhance stability, the system controls brake pressure at each wheel individually in response to driving and road conditions and can even increase brake pressure on just the outside wheels when braking in turns. A soft stop feature enhances comfort by easing the jolt out of sudden, low-speed stops such as in heavy traffic.
If the driver switches quickly from accelerator to brake pedal, the electronic brake system recognizes the early signs of an emergency situation and pre-loads the brakes to ensure shorter stops.
In addition, if the windshield wipers have been on for a set amount of time, the system applies quick, undetectable pulses to remove any film of water from the brake discs so that brake operation remains fast and consistent in the rain.
The Electronic Stability program (ESP) enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability in turns as well as when driving straight ahead, including over uneven surfaces and over patchy snow, ice or gravel. The system integrates ASR traction control.
The standard Tele Aid system can summon emergency response in the case of a severe collision.
Tele Aid is activated immediately when any one of the seatbelt emergency tensioning retractors or 10 airbags deploys, generating a direct call to an emergency response center over a dedicated, crash-secure cellular line and redundant antennas. GPS satellite location provides the response specialist with vehicle location and information. The specialist can summon emergency services if needed.
Maybach will be sold and serviced exclusively by Mercedes-Benz dealerships that have elected to offer the brand. The standard four-year/unlimited mileage warranty includes a maintenance plan, subscription to Tele Aid services and pickup/delivery for service work.