Mercedes-Maybach is synonymous with ultra-luxury, with owners ranging from Reality TV stars to Asian royalty. It joins the ranks of Rolls Royce, Bugatti, and Lamborghini as an exclusive line of vehicles most of us will only ever see on screen or in print. What makes a Maybach so special? And how does it compare to other ultra-luxury cars?
History of Maybach
The association of Mercedes Benz with Maybach is a fairly recent turn of events. Maybach was, in fact, a stand alone company from the time it was founded in 1909 until 1960, when it was acquired by Daimler Benz.
William Maybach and his son, Karl, developed the first Maybach vehicles as a subsidiary of a German aircraft company that specialized in Zeppelins at the time. The parent company was called Luftschiffbau Zeppelin. (A “luftschiff” is an airship in German, and the word “bau” means “to build.”)
The Maybachs’ subsidiary was derivatively named Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau. Luftfahrzeug is another word for aircraft, and motorenbau translates to “engine construction.” The company operated under this name until 1999 (under parent company Daimler Benz since 1960). It finally became a standalone company, “Maybach,” in 2002.
Maybach earned a reputation for its ultra-luxury vehicles on its own for over a decade before at last merging fully with Mercedes-Benz Auto Group in 2015.
What Kinds of Cars Does Maybach Make?
Since 2021, Maybach has specialized in ultra-luxury versions of Mercedes-Benz S-class and GLS-class vehicles. The cars are marketed under the name “Mercedes-Maybach,” and have become a symbol of opulence.
How Much Does Maybach Cost?
The starting price of a 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S Class is $185,000. What, exactly, does nearly $200,000 buy you? Well, the Maybach S-Class sedan comes equipped with seemingly ludicrous comfort features, including ten massage options in the passenger seats (one even mimics a hot-stone massage with percussion and heat).
The front and rear Energizing Comfort system allows you to select from five different programs, like “Refresh” or “Vitality.” The system will coordinate lighting, temperature, music, and even fragrance to offer the desired effect while driving.
Of course, it goes without saying that the interior of the Maybach sedan is adorned with plush Nappa leather, and both front and rear seats are heated and have memory controls. Armrests are also heated, and the rear seats include neck warmers for unprecedented passenger comfort.
Passengers can truly travel in celebrity fashion by upgrading to folding tables for the rear seats, cooled and heated cup holders, and a refrigerator complete with champagne flutes.
Technology in a Mercedes Maybach
Mercedes’ most advanced technology comes standard in the 2022 Maybach S-Class and GLS-Class. This includes the MBUX artificial intelligence system, which can be tailored to up to seven users. The central multimedia display is enormous at 12.8” and achieves new levels of clarity with Mercedes’ Organic Light Emitting Diode technology. The image is not only crisper and less reflective, it actually requires less energy than traditional LED screens.
The Burmester 4D surround sound system creates an unrivaled music experience via 30 high end speakers and analog digital amps.
Unusual technological upgrades to the Maybach include biometric identification, which allows you to customize over 800 settings using your fingerprint or voice commands.
How Powerful is Mercedes Maybach?
The Maybach S-Class is equipped with a 4.0L V8 biturbo engine that puts out an astonishing 496 horsepower and gets 516 lb-ft of torque.
The 2022 Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 SUV utilizes the same engine but gets even more horsepower (550 hp) and 538 lb-ft of torque.
Maybach S Class vs Rolls Royce Phantom
The Rolls Royce Phantom is another coveted ultra-luxury vehicle that caters to its passengers, with features like lambswool carpets, powered foot rests, and an impressive V12 engine that gets 563 horsepower.
That being said, the Phantom has a starting price of $455,000 versus the Maybach’s $185,000. Unless you are in the market solely for the higher powered engine or you are “brand loyal” to Rolls Royce, it doesn’t make much fiscal sense to opt for the Rolls Royce versus a Maybach. The Maybach S-class comes equipped with all the tech and luxury you will find in a Phantom and with a much less shocking price tag.
Questions About a Mercedes Vehicle?
We are passionate about any and all models of Mercedes-Benz here at our dealership in Littleton. If you have any questions about a particular make, give us a call or stop by. And feel free to go online to see what we have in stock today.
Connect with us
