When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the all-new S-Class, the world stopped for a second because it took many of us a moment to digest how well the brand had put luxury and technology together in such an elegant manner.
However, just as we thought that the new S-Class is as good as it is going to get, comes the car you’re looking at now – the all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class – which makes the former look like middle-class stuff.
Unveiled yesterday, the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class comes with a wheelbase that is 18 cm longer than the regular S-Class in order to give the rear seat occupants maximum space, and sports a two-tone paint finish that can be had as an option, which makes it look like a luxury yacht on wheels.
Distinguishing features at the front include the distinctive bonnet with a chromed fin and the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille with fine, vertical chrome pinstripes. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class also differs from its brother models when viewed from the side as the rear doors are wider, and the C-pillars feature a fixed quarterlight.
On request, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can also be equipped with electrically operated comfort rear doors. With this feature, the wide rear doors can be conveniently opened and closed with little force even on a gradient.
The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, even though is based on the new Mercedes‑Benz S-Class, is way more luxurious. The large areas of trim on the front seats are a new feature in the Mercedes-Maybach.
While twin Executive seats come as standard, owners can opt for the First-Class Rear package, where a striking area of trim is positioned between the two rear passengers, making it look like the cabin of a First Class flight.
With Active road noise compensation, the interior of the already very quiet Mercedes-Maybach S-Class becomes even quieter. In a similar way to headphones with noise suppression, the system reduces unwanted low-frequency noises using counter-phased sound waves. The bass speakers of the Burmester high-end 4D surround sound system are used for sound reproduction.
Included as standard is a 12.8-inch OLED central display as a high-tech control centre. With OLED technology, the individual pixels are self-illuminating. There is also a 12.3-inch 3D driver display with three-dimensional representation of other road users.
Offered in two trim levels – the S580 and the S650, the former is powered by a 496 hp 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine, while the S650 will benefit from a 603 hp 6.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V12 engine.
It is said that some markets around the world will also get a plug-in hybrid version powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, producing about 500 hp.
While the previous-gen Mercedes-Maybach did make a Malaysian debut in a very grand manner, whether the new one will come to Malaysia remains unknown, so watch this space for more updates on the new S-Class as well as the Maybach S-Class.
