Chauffeur drivers, rejoice! New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class revealed…

By: CAR magazine

The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has been revealed, crammed full of luxury and technology, and boasting an even longer wheelbase than before.

Mercedes-Benz says the newcomer is “particularly suitable for chauffeured driving”, with an extra 180 mm between its axles compared with the longest version of the standard S-Class sedan.

Whip out the tape measure and you’ll find it measures 5 469 mm long, 1 921 mm wide and 1 510 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3 396 mm.

Those fortunate enough to be seated at the rear now have the option of a massage via the calf-rests fitted to the executive pews. A neck/shoulder heating function is another new feature back there.

The German company furthermore says the new Maybach S-Class can be equipped with electrically operated comfort rear doors. With this box ticked, the wide rear doors can be “conveniently opened and closed with little force, even on a gradient”. The rear doors can also be operated from the driver’s seat, chauffeurs will be delighted to hear.

Automatic seat-belt extenders (usually reserved for coupé and cabriolet models) also make an appearance at the rear, with each unit integrated into the adjustable backrest of the respective executive seat. What else? Well, rear passengers now also gain an adaptive lighting feature, allowing the brightness, size and position of lighting elements to be adjusted. As in the latest S-Class on which this Maybach-badged range-topper is based, the MBUX infotainment system can be specified with as many as five large screens.

And the exterior? Well, the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can be ordered with a two-tone paint finish, complete with a dividing line “applied by hand according to the highest quality criteria”. Distinguishing features up front include a distinctive bonnet with a chromed fin and that signature Maybach grille with vertical chrome pinstripes.

In profile, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class features wide rear doors and a fixed quarterlight at the C-pillar (with the latter also gaining a Maybach logo).

While there’s little about powertrain options in the official press material, reports suggest the Maybach S580 employs a twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8, complete with mild-hybrid technology, all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Peak outputs are expected to be 370 kW and 700 N.m. However, it seems likely a V12 option will follow…

Related Articles
G63

Mercedes-AMG G63 Returns Better, Bolder and Electrified