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Maybach Sets the Standards for the High-End Luxury Class with the Highest Levels of Luxury and Comfort Review

March 2007
Filed under: MAYBACH Car News | MAYBACH Headlines

Maybach 52 S, Maybach 62 and Maybach 57

Stuttgart, Mar 06, 2007 -- The Maybach brand name epitomises the high-end luxury automotive class. It is synonymous with highly advanced automotive technology, timelessly stylish elegance and precision craftsmanship.

As early as the 1920s and 30s, Maybach – together with Mercedes-Benz – was part of the elite of the automotive sector, not just in Germany but at global level, too. The great Maybach tradition was revived in 2002 when the brand launched its 57 and 62 models. These were followed in 2005 by the Maybach 57 S, a high-performance saloon for customers who like to indulge their passion for driving by taking the wheel themselves. One year later, the 62 S set new standards as the world's fastest chauffeur-driven saloon. The saloons are powered by a twelve-cylinder engine specially developed for Maybach with an output of 405 kW/550 hp in the 57 and 62 or 450 kW/612 hp in the 57 S and 62 S. This power plant represents one of the greatest achievements in the field of engine technology and thus also reinforces the luxury brand's claim to the high end of the car market.

The model designations are a reference to the impressive lengths of these unique vehicles: the Maybach 62 and 62 S flagship models measure 6.17 metres while the Maybach 57 and 57 S are 5.73 metres long.
Innovative technology from the sister brand, Mercedes-Benz

All Maybach saloons are designed with meticulous attention to detail and built in a state-of-the-art "Manufaktur". Moreover, these contemporary luxury saloons feature the most advanced automotive technology which makes travelling in a Maybach as pleasant and as safe as possible. As a result, they have set new standards for outstanding equipment and superb craftsmanship at the very top of the passenger car market. At the same time, these luxury vehicles reflect the expertise of DaimlerChrysler as the world's oldest and most innovative car maker and reap the benefits of the vast experience of Maybach's sister brand Mercedes-Benz in the development and production of high-quality models in the luxury car segment.

As a consequence, key Mercedes-Benz innovations have been further developed for the Maybach saloons and are fitted as standard. These include the AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) electronically controlled air suspension, LINGUATRONIC voice controlled operation and the COMAND APS control and display system.

Design: aesthetically pleasing and elegant

The Maybach models combine impressive technological leadership with unsurpassed aesthetics, flawless quality and captivating elegance. These high-end luxury saloons have an impressive presence which is both prestigious and extremely stylish; it is the perfect balance of the classic and the avant-garde that gives their styling its special allure. Forms, colours and materials harmonise perfectly to give the Maybach models an unmistakable identity and to enhance their majestic character.

Both the exterior and the interior are designed to have enduring aesthetic appeal. A range of exquisite materials, including more than 100 masterfully designed and hand-crafted fine wood trim elements, adorn the inside of the car, the design of which was driven by one aim in particular: to provide the greatest possible comfort for all the car's occupants.

Maybach 57 S: a luxury saloon with a high-performance character

The "S" in the designation of the Maybach 57 S model, which joined the range in 2005, stands for "Special" and reflects the fact that Maybach has implemented many of the wishes of its highly discerning customers – especially those who wish to drive the vehicle themselves – in this high-performance model which offers a symbiosis of luxurious comfort and a distinctly sporty character. The 57 S owes the latter to its enhanced Mercedes-AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine with an output of 450 kW/612 hp and peak torque of 1000 Nm (electronically limited) as well as a tauter suspension set-up. This combination reconciles the highest levels of luxury and dynamic handling in the Maybach 57 S and makes it the ideal high-end luxury saloon for owner-drivers who expect the very latest high-performance technology and the perfection typical of the Maybach brand.

Characteristic exterior features of the Maybach 57 S comprise the powerfully styled radiator grille, redesigned light units, distinctive 20-inch spoked wheels and a single-tone paint finish in black or silver which is exclusive to the 57 S and 67S models. Customers can also specify the new shimmering white special paint finish as an option. Inside, newly designed leather appointments are complemented by the carefully coordinated trim elements in fine piano lacquer and sporty carbon to create a dynamic ambience which is both striking and tasteful.

Maybach 62 S: the world's most powerful chauffeur-driven saloon

The Maybach 62 S, which joined the Maybach range as its fourth and most recent member in 2006, offers not only an exceptionally high level of travelling comfort (especially for the passengers in the extremely spacious rear compartment), but also prodigious power output. Like the Maybach 57 S, it is equipped with the enhanced 450 kW/612 hp twelve cylinder engine and thus ranks as the world's most powerful series-production chauffeur-driven saloon. The Maybach 62 S is, therefore, primarily designed to be chauffeur-driven and meets the very highest of standards in terms of space and comfort – for a truly relaxing ride – and dynamism for saving that most precious of commodities: time. Precisely what is needed in these increasingly frenetic times.

The Maybach 62 S can be distinguished from the 62 model by eye-catching exterior features. As with the 57 S, the most striking of these are the modified front end with its distinctive and powerful new radiator design, attractive 20-inch spoked wheels and redesigned light units. And, like the 57 S model, the Maybach 62 S has a single-tone paint finish.

The contemporary Maybach interpretation of lavish luxury and outstanding comfort is also reflected with consummate skill in the interior of the 62 S. Here, high-grade materials have been hand-finished to perfection for a deliberately distinctive and particularly exclusive look, all in inimitable Maybach style. Carefully coordinated trim elements in exquisite piano lacquer and sporty carbon create an atmosphere of exclusive elegance. Newly designed, high-grade leather appointments tastefully accentuate this overall impression.

In contrast to the sportier configuration of the 57 S owner-driver model which features a stiffer chassis, the Maybach engineers have retained the full spring travel for the 62 S in order to achieve an outstanding – indeed, probably unsurpassable – level of ride comfort. Although the chassis marks the absolute pinnacle of automotive engineering in terms of comfort, it also has excellent dynamic characteristics for reliably transferring the power to the road at all times. The fact that these two very different requirements have been reconciled so harmoniously testifies to the skill of the Maybach development team.

Superbly spacious accommodation and first-class comfort

The superbly spacious accommodation offered by the 2.25/2.68-metre-long interior forms the basis of the exceptionally high level of comfort provided by these prestigious saloons. Rear passengers, in particular, are given the VIP treatment and are able to enjoy the wonderful opulence of what is effectively a luxurious lounge on wheels. Two superbly comfortable individual seats positively invite the rear passengers to sit back and relax.

Unique to the Maybach 62 and Maybach 62 S models, the elegant individual rear seats allow even tall passengers to enjoy a comfortable reclining position which travellers would normally expect to find only in the first-class sections of modern passenger jets. All the rear passenger has to do is call up a pre-programmed reclining position at the touch of a button and the backrest slowly tilts backwards by up to 47 degrees. At the same time, a lower leg support and a footrest fold out to the front. This means that rear passengers can enjoy the journey in an extremely relaxing reclined position. Of course, the seat can easily be adjusted to each passenger's own particular comfort needs.

The following individual settings are possible:

* The fore/aft position of the rear seat can be adjusted by up to 135 mm.
* Depending on the individual settings, the backrest can be inclined at an angle of between 25 and 47 degrees.
* The head restraint is adjustable for height (by 115 mm), fore/aft position (by 60 mm) and angle (by 25 degrees). Its side bolsters are also individually adjustable in order to improve lateral support for the head when the seat is reclined.
* If required, the seat cushion can be extended by up to 60 mm when the seat is in the upright position, while its inclination can be varied from 14 to 24 degrees.
* The fore/aft position of the thigh support has an adjustment range of 85 mm.
* The lower-leg support features a two-stage telescopic arm that allows the fore/aft position to be adjusted by up to 240 mm. The inclination of the lower-leg support can be adjusted by up to 75 degrees.
* The angle of the footrest can be individually adjusted up to 110 degrees.

This technological masterpiece is operated by seven electric motors – three of which can function simultaneously, depending on the commands given by the occupant. An electronic control unit monitors the complex series of movements and controls the logical sequence. The kinematics of the individual seat components are programmed to ensure that the occupant's body – including the lower legs and feet – is fully supported at all times, even in intermediate positions between the normal upright position and the maximum reclined position.

Adjustment of the comfortable reclining seats is made easier by a memory function that is capable of storing five individual sitting positions. A mere push of a button is then all that is required to move the seat to the position in which the occupant feels most comfortable.

Sophisticated integral system with crash-responsive backrest for outstanding safety

As well as being exceptionally comfortable, the reclining seats in the Maybach 62 and 62 S offer an outstanding level of safety – in any position. The restraint system incorporating the belt tensioner, belt-force limiter and sidebag is integrated in the backrest, meaning that the rear passengers can enjoy optimal protection even when the seats are fully reclined. Further safety features include a crash-responsive backrest which is moved into an upright position in the event of a frontal impact and the tensioners on the belt buckles which also tension the lap belt in the event of an accident.

Multicontour backrest for a relaxing back massage at the push of a button

Seat comfort in the Maybach saloons is further enhanced by pneumatically adjustable air cushions in the backrest and a program-controlled massage function. Pressing the "Pulse" button inflates and deflates the central air cushion in the lumbar region at precisely defined intervals and with varying intensity. As confirmed by orthopaedic experts, this pulsating action relieves stress in the back muscles and boosts the metabolism of the intervertebral discs. Each relaxing back massage lasts for eight minutes and can be repeated as often as required.

On request, Maybach can also equip the reclining seats with an active ventilation system. Eight miniature fans in each of the two rear seats cause air to flow evenly through the perforations in the seat surface. Thanks to a special system of air ducts, the airflow cools the contact areas between the passenger and the seat in order to enhance seating comfort. Three airflow speeds can be selected.

Alternative rear seat configuration

For customers who require space for up to three passengers in the rear, Maybach offers an alternative seat configuration option featuring a third seat in the centre of the rear compartment. If this arrangement is specified, the two luxurious individual seats are retained, while an additional seat is added in place of the standard-fit centre console. The back of this third seat is designed to ensure that all three rear passengers are seated comfortably at all times. If three rear seats are ordered, the controls for the curtain, the lights and the entertainment systems – usually housed in the centre console – are integrated in the centre console drawer unit.

A robust work surface with a fine wood finish

In addition to enjoying the benefits of a prestigious and comfortable luxury saloon, a Maybach owner may also need to use it as a mobile office from time to time. With this in mind the Maybach engineers in Sindelfingen drew on the know-how of their colleagues in the aircraft industry and developed a folding table made from aluminium cut from the solid for each of the two rear seats. The two-piece table surfaces are finished in fine wood or carbon on top and trimmed with nappa leather on the underside. Both folding tables (standard in the Maybach 62 and 62 S) are infinitely adjustable for fore/aft position and inclination and are suitable for use as a storage area, a desk or a support for a laptop. To save space, they are housed in special compartments on either side of the rear centre console and can be pulled out and unfolded quickly and easily using a leather loop.

State-of-the-art entertainment and communication technology

The rear console is the centrepiece of the entertainment and communications package in all Maybach models. Numerous storage compartments enable the rear passengers to easily stow large and small items alike. The exquisitely designed interior door panels alone house ten stowage compartments (eight in the Maybach 57 and 57 S), complete with flap-style lids and a smooth opening action triggered at the push of a button. However, it is the multifunctional centre console between the seats that forms the heart of the stowage concept in the rear of the luxury saloon.

This is where the Maybach engineers have incorporated all that is needed for the rear passengers' entertainment and enjoyment, including a DVD player, six-disc CD changer, up to two telephone systems, a refrigerator box with its own compressor and an intelligent system which holds glasses and champagne bottles securely in position. The champagne flutes – specifically designed for the Maybach using high-grade sterling silver – are held by clips that automatically grip them above the base when they are put down. The clips are released as soon as the rear passenger picks up the flute again.

In addition, the rear centre console contains a range of storage compartments and a keypad with controls for the central locking, interior lighting, intercom system (if the Maybach 62 or 62 S is specified with a partition) and the curtains on the rear windscreen and rear side windows. Sockets for connecting a camcorder, an MP3 player or a games console are also provided.

Rear passengers can also keep a constant eye on the current road speed, outside temperature and time as the engineers have developed three elegant, circular dials which are mounted in an overhead panel in the luxury high-end saloon. Similarly, the rear passengers can monitor and control the navigation system, which offers extremely accurate positioning courtesy of state-of-the-art receiver technology, from the luxurious comfort of their seats.

A transparent panoramic roof at the push of a button

A further special attraction and highlight in the rear compartment of the Maybach 62 and 62 S is unquestionably the unique electrotransparent panoramic roof, available as an option. Featuring an elegant cassette-type structure, it spans the rear section like a glass dome and offers the passengers an impressive range of options for adjusting the amount of light that enters the interior. Whereas the roof normally provides a view of the sky outside, it can be made opaque at the push of a button, in which case it filters the light to create a pleasant, diffused lustre. This effect is possible thanks to a layer of liquid crystal film made from electrically conductive polymer material, which is integrated in the glass and whose crystals rearrange themselves when an alternating current is applied, thus making the glass transparent so that its entire surface allows daylight to pass into the rear compartment of the Maybach 62 and 62 S. As soon as the electrical supply is switched off, the liquid crystals lose their clear-glass arrangement and distribute the light in all directions, causing the glass surface to become opaque.

At the front of the panoramic roof, an area of around half a square metre is covered with 30 solar cells which convert sunlight into electrical energy, generating up to 63 watts for powering the ventilation blower of the climate control system in the Maybach 62 and 62 S. Power generated in this way starts flowing as soon as the luxury saloon is parked and ensures a constant supply of fresh air for the vehicle interior. This feature is available as an option for all other roof variants.

Light as a design element

The designers have also used light as an interior design element in the Maybach models. In addition to the numerous lights which come on automatically when the doors are opened or which can be used as reading lights at the touch of a button, a ceiling spot provides ambient lighting. This pleasant, diffuse light source remains active even when on the move in the dark in order to create a special ambience aboard.

However, without doubt the main attraction of this sophisticated lighting concept is the electrically operated sliding section in the roof lining of the optional panoramic roof for the Maybach 62 and 62 S. When the sliding section is closed, a touch of a button activates its electro-luminescent membrane, causing it to emit a pleasant, diffuse light over its entire surface. A potentiometer in the rear console allows the rear passengers to adjust the light emitted to any level.

Partition with electric transparency control

Designed from the outset as chauffeur-driven saloons, the Maybach 62 and 62 S models can be equipped with an optional partition. Needless to say, the unique spaciousness of the rear compartment is not compromised if this option is specified.

The lower section of the partition consists of an aluminium sandwich structure, trimmed with leather and fine wood or carbon elements, while the upper section comprises a laminated glass panel that can be lowered by electric motor. Furthermore, this glass has the same electro-transparent functionality as the panoramic roof. Thanks to a liquid crystal film embedded in the glass, the partition can be made opaque at the touch of a button.

And so that the rear passengers and the chauffeur can still communicate, even when the partition is closed, luxury saloons fitted with a partition also feature an intercom system.

Two separate systems for a perfect climate all round

Driving enjoyment of the very highest calibre – thanks to the luxurious ambience and extremely spacious accommodation – is further enhanced by low noise levels and highly efficient climate control.

To provide effective climate control in the spacious interior, Maybach goes to exceptional lengths by fitting a system comprising two of the most sophisticated automatic air-conditioning units currently available – one for the front compartment and one especially for the rear compartment. The rear climate control system can also be operated by the chauffeur using a control unit in the front centre console.

Thanks to its high performance capability and intelligent control set-up, the system allows the two front passengers as well as the two occupants in the luxurious rear seats to adjust and program the climate control system individually. In automatic mode, the system controls the four climate zones and ensures that the desired temperature is maintained at each individual seat with minimal draught effects. The individual climate control settings for the driver and the three passengers are automatically assigned to and stored in the Maybach's electronic ignition key.

Both systems are sensor controlled and operate based on temperature, air humidity, insolation and pollutant levels in the outside air; and both units can circulate up to 750 cubic metres of fresh air per hour in the luxury saloon's interior – an outstanding technical achievement for a passenger-car climate-control system.

If the Maybach 62 or 62 S is equipped with a partition, the air outlets in the B-pillars and the rear roof lining sections are fitted with additional blowers in order to ensure that a comfortable climate is also maintained in the rear when the partition is closed.

Silence is golden

The peace and quiet which the occupants of a Maybach are able to enjoy in all driving situations help to make travelling restful and relaxing. This is because, when it comes to low noise levels, the high-end luxury saloons deliver yet another stunning performance, achieved thanks to the painstaking measures taken by the highly skilled engineering team. By way of example, sophisticated sealing systems at the joints between the body components effectively reduce wind noise, even at high speeds. Furthermore, extensive soundproofing measures – including the sealing sections around the doors and additional sealing of the front wings and the roof pillars – prevent any wind noise from penetrating through into the interior.

Another major factor behind the low noise levels is the sophisticated glass technology used: the side windows of the high-end luxury saloons are made from a special laminated glass developed exclusively for Maybach. One of the four plastic films incorporated in the intermediate layer has acoustical properties which help to reduce noise in the interior substantially.

The glass in the side windows of the Maybach saloons is 7.2 mm thick – 2.2 mm thicker than conventional laminated glass. One positive side effect of this sophisticated glazing is the better protection it offers against break-ins: the laminated glass makes it much more difficult to smash the windows by force. The front and rear windscreen, each 6.2 millimetres thick, also contain acoustical plastic films. The result of all these measures is a sublime level of calm – unquestionably an added bonus given the frantic nature of the modern world.

Safety: occupant protection with ten airbags

In addition to a sophisticated body structure, the exemplary safety technology of these high-end luxury cars includes a total of ten airbags – two adaptive airbags with two-stage gas generators for the front seat occupants, four sidebags and two large windowbags for each side of the interior. The three-point inertia-reel seat belts with automatic comfort-fit feature, high-performance belt tensioners and belt force limiters are integrated into the seats, and are therefore able to carry out their full protective function in any position.

Source: DaimlerChrysler

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