Maybach 62S - for the discerning chauffeur

Published Nov 7, 2006

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Stuttgart, Germany - Maybach, the luxury brand re-established four years ago, is adding a fourth model to its line-up... a 62 S that claims to be the most powerful chauffeur-driven car in the world.

The "S" stands for "Special" and, owner Mercedes points out, draws attention to the fact that the Maybach engineers at the Sindelfingen-based Manufaktur workshops have incorporated a wealth of special features specified by customers.

"The result" Mercedes says, "is a new dimension in travelling comfort, especially for the rear passengers."

The chauffeur - should the owner choose to let somebody else do the driving - will probably have fun when the boss isn't about, too. The new Maybach's 12-cylinder engine is goof for 450kW.

The new flagship will have its public debut at the Auto China 2006 international motor show in Beijing in November - and was primarily designed to be chauffeur-driven.

"It meets the very highest of standards in terms of space, smoothness and comfort," Merc adds, "for a truly relaxing ride and to save that most precious of commodities - time."

Prominent exterior features, the maker says, have "accentuated the dynamic presence of the new Maybach 62 S and clearly distinguish it from the 62."

These include a modified nose with a redesigned grille, new 20" spoked wheels and modified light clusters. Like the 57 S, the car's paint job is single-tone in black or silver or customers can specify a special paint finish in shimmering white.

Discreet "62 S" lettering adorns the front wings beneath the A pillars and the boot lid and the modified rear apron sprouts two trapezoidal exhaust pipes.

The cabin uses a mix of piano lacquer and carbon or anthracite poplar wood "to create an atmosphere of dynamic elegance both in the rear cabin and in the driver's field of vision and activity".

The upholstery, of course, is of the finest leather.

But back to the engine... it's an AMG-enhanced, six-litre V12 with two turbos that generates 45kW more than the engine in the Maybach 62. Torque is listed as 1000Nm and it's on tap from 2000 through to 4000rpm.

Despite the car's bulk, it whips from 0-100km/h in 5.2sec - that should upset the boss's Glen Grant - and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

'Outstanding attributes'

"In terms of comfort," Mercedes says, "the chassis is a pinnacle of automotive engineering. Yet it has the dynamic potential for reliably transferring the power to the road whatever the scenario - its developers have succeeded in reconciling, to a near perfect degree, the very different requirements of performance and comfort."

"The outstanding attributes of the Maybach 62 S set new standards at the high end of the car industry and continue the tradition of the legendary Maybach saloons that represented the elite in German and international carmaking circles back in the 1920's and 1930's.

"Even then, many Maybach cars were built and equipped to be chauffeur-driven - a tradition which the 62 S model is proud to honour."

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