Scoop! Maybach is back... and in South Africa – local Mercedes-Maybach S-Class specs+prices exclusive

When Mercedes announced that its revived Maybach luxury brand would be no more, some moarned.

Then, in a surprise announcement, Maybach would be re-positioned as double-barrel surname into the Mercedes family, to form Mercedes-Maybach.

Maybach is back

The Maybach may have lived a short-lived life as an S-Class stretched into Maybach 57 and extra-long Maybach 62 models – these followed the S-Class basic shape, with lots of big lights added to the front and full-width rear lights, and a super-luxurious rear cabin.  It was clad in a new ostentatious suit of camouflaged dressed-up S-Class.

Reviving Maybach was Mercedes’ attempt to re-enter the upper luxury car segment which it triumphed in decades ago with cars like the politician-favoured and celebrity-loving S-Class “Grosser” – a segment since taken over by the German-owned British luxury brands Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

In November 2014 the Maybach name came back (surprise!) to now appear on a more luxed-up version of S-Class’s back. 

Mercedes-Maybach was created as an addition to the Mercedes portfolio, and a clever marketing move, too – whereas Maybach 57 and 62 were deemed too over-the-top and perhaps lacking pedigree or brand recognition, the Mercedes S-Class already lays a skyscraper-strong foundation to build on, up high.  As top-selling large luxury car, with the new S-Class breaking sales records worldwide, people clearly like its look and status. How to maximise on the revered S-Class name?  Eureka! Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is the perfect naming solution.

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class as epitome of Mercedes luxury in the back

When items like removable scatter cushions and champagne flutes appear on the spec sheet, you know this car is for pampering.

Rather than trying to go head-to-head with Bentley and Rolls-Royce, the Mercedes-Maybach offers an S-Class on a stretched platform, with lots more rear legroom and even more technology and pamper items.  The S-Class L (LWB, affectionately a.k.a. S-Class long-door) is the starting point, to which another 20cm is added into the wheelbase – but this is not cut&shut conversion job:  this is a factory-built off-the-dealer car.

It is specifically designed to be chauffeur driven, with items like a voice amplification system so the well-off rear owner passenger can give instructions to his/her driver.

Beltbag and seat cushion airbag

To add onto the S-Class’s pioneering safety innovations record, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class adds a seat belt buckle extender, and finds 2 newways of adding airbags:  beltbag (an airbag in the rear safety belt) and a seat cushion airbag.

Only 2 models available

In keeping with offering smoothness and luxury performance, only V8 and V12 engines will do for Maybach S-Class, with engines sourced from the S-Class.

The Mercedes-Maybach S500 shares the V8 turbo engine with the Mercedes-Benz S500 L with the same more-than-adequate 335kW and 700Nm, but what you really want are the V12 badges on the front fenders and the esteemed 6 0 0 badge on the back, surely?  The Mercedes-Maybach S600 uses the silky powerhouse 6-litre V12 biturbo producing a quiet effortless 390kW and 830Nm.

Mercedes-Maybach Pullman, and other plans?

No news has been announced officially on whether the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman – the limousine-length über-luxury S-Class – will be sold locally. 

With the S-Class coupé (especially the dreamy S65 AMG coupé Auto Trader had the pleasure of reviewing) and an S-Class convertible making its debut soon, could there be Maybach off-springs of these?  Mercedes-Maybach S-Class coupé and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class convertible… yummm.

The bottom line – a millionaire’s bargain?

When spending on a chauffeur-driven semi-limousine, the bottom line is not a worry.  So, when receiving the scoop on Mercedes-Maybach S-Class prices, these had to be verified (considering Mercedes’ tendency to simply ask what it can… there will be buyers).

To compare and set the tone, the Mercedes-Benz S500 L is priced at around R 1 760 000, while the S600 L sits at R2.27 million, rounded off.  The S65 AMG L, at R2.97m, approaches the R3m mark.  These price points show that the Mercedes-Maybach S-Classes would then trend upwards, to exceed the R 3 000 000 mark, right?

The premium of approximately R 295 000 over a “normal” S-Class L is not excessive, is it, when one counts in the extra space, luxury and “I’m a successful business wo/man” status?

Prices excluding emissions tax:

Mercedes-Maybach S500	R 2 050 000
Mercedes-Maybach S600	R 2 550 000

Put into perspective, the Bentley Flying Spur V8 is currently priced at R 4 270 000 and the W12 at R 4 833 000.  Rolls-Royce in SA does not divulge pricing on its Ghost, though aim for way above R5m.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class are at around half these prices... probably the 1st time this type of car at this price level can be called a bit of a bargain.