Maybach 62 S

Maybach 62 S

The Maybach 57 (chassis no. W240) and 62 (chassis no. V240) were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by DaimlerChrysler AG (now Daimler AG). They are derived from the Benz Maybach concept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. The concept car was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, as are the eventual production models. The Luxury Brand Status Index 2008 voted the Maybach 1st place, ahead of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The models will cease production in 2013, due to continued financial losses for the marque, and sales at one fifth the level of the profitable Rolls-Royce models.

 Maybach 62
The Maybach 62 includes many luxury features such as fully reclining rear seats, Maybach 4 zone climate control, tinted-windows, infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round, AirMATIC dual control air suspension, display instruments in rear roof liner (showing speed, time and outside temperature), folding rear tables (left and right), BOSE Surround Everywhere sound system and a refrigerator compartment. The Maybach 62 also includes an array of additional features such as Cockpit Management and Navigation System (COMAND), which includes DVD navigation, CD changer in rear seats, DVD players and TV tuners front and rear, two rear LCD TV screens including remote control and two sets of headphones, and automatic closing doors.Even though the Maybach 62 has all these features included, optional extras are available. Some of these are a panoramic glass sunroof at a cost of $11,670, and an external communication system, a loudspeaker and microphone system which allows the occupant in the rear of the Maybach to converse with people outside the car. This option comes at a cost of $1,780. Additionally, there is a retractable electrotransparent partition screen between the driver and the rear occupants, at $23,780 and, most expensive, a high protection GUARD B4 Package for an additional $151,810.

Maybach 62 S

The Maybach 62 S appeared in November 2006 at the Auto China 2006 exhibit in Beijing. It features the same engine as the 57S, a 612 metric horsepower (450 kW) twin-turbo V12 made by Mercedes-Benz AMG. However, the suspension remains untouched.

Maybach 62 Landaulet

The Maybach 62 Landaulet, based on the Maybach 62S, revives the classic landaulet car body style, which was popular in the 1920s and 30s. Powered by the 62S's 612 horsepower (456 kW) biturbo V12, the Landaulet's front seats are fully enclosed and separated from the rear passenger compartment by a power divider window; the opacity of this partition can be electronically controlled.
A sliding soft roof allows back seat passengers to take in the sun from the comfort of their seats. The chauffeur's area is finished in black leather, while the rear is white with piano black and gold-flecked black granite inserts.
Maybach publicly unveiled the Landaulet at the Middle East International Auto Show around the end of November 2007 as a concept car. Limited production was confirmed in January 2008.

2013 cessation

With poor sales expectations and heavy impact of 2008 financial crises, Daimler AG undertook a review of the whole Maybach division.These included talks with AstonMartin to engineer and style the next generation of Maybach models along with the next generation of Lagonda models.
However, on 25 November 2011, Daimler announced that sales of all Maybach models and the brand would cease in 2013
The line will be replaced by Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman models. An executive told a Frankfurt newspaper that: "(Daimler) came to the conclusion that the sales chances for the Mercedes brand were better than that of Maybach."
One suggestion for Maybach's struggles was that parent Daimler had failed to differentiate it from its Mercedes-Benz brand. While all three ultra-luxury marques share platforms and engines with other luxury brands from their parent auto company, Maybachs are built alongside the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship sedan, whereas Rolls-Royce and Bentley are assembled in England (separate from the rest of BMW and Volkswagen Group's production plants) and thus are regarded as being more "exclusive". Furthermore the Maybach's pedigree was virtually unknown outside Germany unlike its British rivals which have long enjoyed renown worldwide; indeed the 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom's interior evokes memories of a 1930s car while the Maybach 57S's inside makes no reference to its marque's history.