True to its original promise of launching the S-Class in four different lengths, Mercedes-Benz earlier today released information on its new flagship, the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman.
Measuring an incredible 6 499 mm long, it dwarfs the already-massive Mercedes-Maybach S600 by more than a metre, while its wheelbase of 4 418 is longer than most family cars in their entirety. It’s also more than 100 mm taller than an S-Class, of which 60 mm is allocated to rear-seat headroom.
The rear quarters mirror those of a club lounge, according to Benz, where four seats face each other. The two rear-most seats are the most comfortable – their backrests can recline up to 43,5 degrees – while the middle row can be folded away for more legroom or left out entirely. Large rear doors allow easy in- and egress, while the rear-most pillars hide passengers (as do standard-fitment curtains).
The interior of the Pullman is upholstered in leather throughout, including the roof liner, door frames and seat consoles. There are also three analogue instruments in the roof liner informing passengers in the rear of the outside temperature, speed and time.
A partition wall between the rear and the driver’s area ensures discretion. This glass wall can be lowered electrically and change from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. The standard 18,5-inch (470 mm) monitor located in front of the partition can also be extended electrically.
Providing some pleasure to the chauffeur, under the bonnet is a biturbo 6,0-litre V12 that delivers a stout 390 kW and 830 N.m. No performance figures are quoted, but expect acceleration to be dulled ever so slightly by the greater mass.
Prices in Europe will start at around half a million euros (about R7,5 million); the first customers will take delivery of their vehicles at the beginning of 2016.
*The name Pullman was originally applied to railway carriages with luxurious open-plan compartments manufactured by the American Pullman Palace Car Company. This name was soon also applied to the motor cars from Mercedes-Benz which were based on an extremely long wheelbase and offered a very generously-sized passenger compartment. In the rear, separated from the driver’s area by a partition, there was space for four passengers to recline regally in four single seats facing each other.
