S-Class (W222/C217/A217) Mercedes-Maybach S600 Previewed

[Rolf]

Looks like an Mercedes-Maybach S 500/550 is in the pipeline as well as an S 400 4Matic Maybach for China?

Daimler will revive Maybach with 3 sedans but no SUV

Very interesting, surprised they launched so many engines, I thought they would just bring out the V12 version as the flagship for the S-class. Maybe you right about the engines brought out to suit certain markets. The S400 with 3.5 V6 turbo (333hp) is not available in Germany or Europe.

 

[Merc1]

They're saying it is the 3.0L turbo V6??? Is there really a 3.5L V6 turbo also, I was never clear on this??

M

 

[Rolf]

They're saying it is the 3.0L turbo V6??? Is there really a 3.5L V6 turbo also, I was never clear on this??

M

Yes the facelifted CLS debuted the 3498cm3 V6 Bi-Turbo, it has also recently been added in the E400 to replace the 3.0 V6 turbo. I believe this is a turbo version of the previous NA 3498cm3 V6 used in the E350/S350 (W221) and has a slight fuel economy advantage over the previous 3.0 turbo V6 (turbo version of E300 V6). It produces same power and torque as previous 3.0 but at lower revs.

 

[Merc1]

Yes the facelifted CLS debuted the 3498cm3 V6 Bi-Turbo, it has also recently been added in the E400 to replace the 3.0 V6 turbo. I believe this is a turbo version of the previous NA 3498cm3 V6 used in the E350/S350 (W221) and has a slight fuel economy advantage over the previous 3.0 turbo V6 (turbo version of E300 V6). It produces same power and torque as previous 3.0 but at lower revs.

That is confusing as hell man lol.

M

 

[Rolf]

That is confusing as hell man lol.

M

I actually cant figure it out why they replaced the 3.0 V6 with 3.5 V6, it must have cost them alot of money to launch the 3.0 V6 Turbo and then only after about a year of production phase it out, very weird

 

[Merc1]

I actually cant figure it out why they replaced the 3.0 V6 with 3.5 V6, it must have cost them alot of money to launch the 3.0 V6 Turbo and then only after about a year of production phase it out, very weird

Yeah I don't get it because our market is getting a bunch of new "400" models with the 3.0L version. My only guess is that tax reasons in certain countries where a 3 liter is cheaper than a 3.5L engine?

M

 

[SDNR]

The S400 version is for China, smart move.



I agree with them on this, but I still wish they would do a totally bespoke car.

Hmmmm ........they already tried that ;-)

The S660 Maybach, totally different look inside and out, and a new V12 with a 10-speed automatic. Something dramatic. Oh well.

M

Yeah, I guess it would make things interesting but I think Daimler have got this right. With Aston now entering this market with their new Lagonda Taraf, Mercedes are wise not to stray too far from what they do best : being the world leaders in the executive-class.

I feel the market has changed quite a bit since the Maybach brand was first revived. High-end consumers have become extremely sophisticated and manufacturers no longer can rely so heavily on P.R. spin and hype to sell their products.

Rolls-Royce too, really has to up its game if the next Phantom is to maintain the success of the current model. Love it or hate it, the Phantom has become a genuinely iconic object of our time .....only a handful of other cars have achieved that status.....and I would argue that the Rolls is the only one in its class that has.

Competition at this end of the market will only get tougher as wealthy buyers demand ever more exclusive and unique products. The ultimate must surely be Ferrari's Tailor-Made programme .......I expect we will see similar things from Bugatti and Bentley in future.





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[KiwiRob]

that has.

Competition at this end of the market will only get tougher as wealthy buyers demand ever more exclusive and unique products. The ultimate must surely be Ferrari's Tailor-Made programme .......I expect we will see similar things from Bugatti and Bentley in future.

............................

I think all the Tailoer-Made Ferraris I've seen (in print) have been significantly worse looking than the base car. These are not a return to the golden age of bespoke body builders who produced some of the most beautiful pieces of rolling art that ever existed.

Mercedes have chickened out and left the top end to Rolls Royce and Bentley. I'd also add the Holland & Holland Range Rover as a pretty special place to sit.

 

[SCOTT27]

Hmmmm ........they already tried that ;-)


Yeah, I guess it would make things interesting but I think Daimler have got this right. With Aston now entering this market with their new Lagonda Taraf, Mercedes are wise not to stray too far from what they do best : being the world leaders in the executive-class.

I feel the market has changed quite a bit since the Maybach brand was first revived. High-end consumers have become extremely sophisticated and manufacturers no longer can rely so heavily on P.R. spin and hype to sell their products.

Rolls-Royce too, really has to up its game if the next Phantom is to maintain the success of the current model. Love it or hate it, the Phantom has become a genuinely iconic object of our time .....only a handful of other cars have achieved that status.....and I would argue that the Rolls is the only one in its class that has.

Competition at this end of the market will only get tougher as wealthy buyers demand ever more exclusive and unique products. The ultimate must surely be Ferrari's Tailor-Made programme .......I expect we will see similar things from Bugatti and Bentley in future.
............................

Don't worry about the Phantom it will remain iconic as it always has been and will "up the game" in its next incarnation.
The next Phantom breaks the boundaries on how a luxury product or object can be perceived.
In construction , technology , drivetrain, sustainability, comfort and design.
The four model programme will continue but will involve Spectre the code name for a vehicle that will not only show the ability of Rolls-Royce in exclusivity but further push the goalposts from their competitors.

A certain vehicle is currently overseas for an updated photoshoot prior to future announcement.

 

[SDNR]

I think all the Tailoer-Made Ferraris I've seen (in print) have been significantly worse looking than the base car. These are not a return to the golden age of bespoke body builders who produced some of the most beautiful pieces of rolling art that ever existed.

We'll I guess that comes down to personal taste ........but I'm inclined to agree with you on that.

I also agree with you about Range-Rover ......it is quite outstanding. The Audi A8 W12 with its Poltrona Frau interior is highly desirable too.

 

[KiwiRob]

A certain vehicle is currently overseas for an updated photoshoot prior to future announcement.

God I hope that's not some stupid brand killing suv!

 

[SDNR]

Don't worry about the Phantom it will remain iconic as it always has been and will "up the game" in its next incarnation.

I never doubted it. Overall BMW have done an exemplary job with Rolls-Royce.

 

[Seylan]

I'm actually more excited for Merc's upcoming SUVs. This is just not special enough for it to have the Maybach branding. This might as well have been called the S-class Extra-Long wheel base version.

 

[Wolfgang]

They're saying it is the 3.0L turbo V6??? Is there really a 3.5L V6 turbo also, I was never clear on this??

M

Yes, there are two different engines. For some markets the 3.5 liter with inhomogeneous combustion is more suitable, than the 3.0 liter with homogeneous combustion. Suspect the latter is used in China and the USA.

 

[Cashmere]

I'm curious to see how the exterior will look and what MB will do to differentiate it from the already stellar looking S class. If they leave the exterior unchanged and just slap on a Maybach badge, then I'm afraid that MB will have accepted defeat to Rolls Royce.

When a person is shopping for a Bentley/Rolls Royce, what they are looking for is differentiation - something bespoke that makes them stand out from the crowd, something that makes a statement. Even though the S class is the king in it's segment, reclining seats and a Maybach badge are simply not enough to steer buyers away from the Phantom.

 

[SDNR]

When a person is shopping for a Bentley/Rolls Royce, what they are looking for is differentiation - something bespoke that makes them stand out from the crowd, something that makes a statement. Even though the S class is the king in it's segment, reclining seats and a Maybach badge are simply not enough to steer buyers away from the Phantom.

Yes, I agree with you in principle, however, this end of the market has great potential for a much broader range of products.

Rolls and Bentley do their thing very well .....maybe Mercedes will tap into a slightly different market with this car. There are buyers at this price-point for whom a Rolls-Royce does not fit. I have often thought that in certain situations a Phantom can run the risk of making all the wrong impressions.

 

[Wunderkind]

If Mercedes is planning for three different Maybach models (the S400 Maybach is tailored for China's tax regime), then I think the sales volume can justify bespoke headlights, grill, and bumper designs.

Hope we will see something unique with the Maybach.

 

[EnI]

Daimler's official press release only points out "(some of) the features that distinguish it from the standard-production models include extra spaciousness, special seats and lavishly designed, prestigious interiors offering extensive scope for individualisation."

No word on special exterior features whatsoever (expect implicated longer wheelbase & thus different roof line & silhouette). Although - being a sub-brand like AMG - it can be expected the Mercedes-Maybach to feature some special exterior trim: eg. different grille, slightly different front & rear bumpers, possibly different rocker panel, exclusive wheel designs, extra exterior chrome trim details etc. But I don't really expect bespoke light (headllight or rear light) designs. It looks like the main extra features of M-M sub-brand are concentrated in the cabin - especially in the rear since the car is catered to rear passengers.

IMHO it's a smart move. S-class is an icon. Yet with 100,000+ annual sales it's hardly exclusive therefore Maybach & Pullman editions make sense. Although both of them can't really compete with Bentley & Rolls-Royce & Aston Martin etc. But they will definitely push MB (and S-class especially) brand much higher than BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Porsche, Lexus and even Maserati.

I have always been found of the sub-brand idea. I would push it even further: Mercedes-Daimler for commercial vehicles, Mercedes-Benz for core Mercedes passenger models, Mercedes-AMG for Mercedes sports cars, Mercedes-Maybach for Mercedes luxury cars (I can easily imagine a Maybach version of GLS), Mercedes-Pullman for Mercedes ultra-luxury cars ... and ultimately: Mercedes-smart for Mercedes innovative & funky vehicles, expanding smart sub-brand much beyond micro & mini cars.

 

[KiwiRob]

I'm curious to see how the exterior will look and what MB will do to differentiate it from the already stellar looking S class. If they leave the exterior unchanged and just slap on a Maybach badge, then I'm afraid that MB will have accepted defeat to Rolls Royce.

When a person is shopping for a Bentley/Rolls Royce, what they are looking for is differentiation - something bespoke that makes them stand out from the crowd, something that makes a statement. Even though the S class is the king in it's segment, reclining seats and a Maybach badge are simply not enough to steer buyers away from the Phantom.

I think we have a pretty good indication of what it would look like.

 

[SDNR]

Yes, I agree with you in principle, however, this end of the market has great potential for a much broader range of products.

Rolls and Bentley do their thing very well .....maybe Mercedes will tap into a slightly different market with this car. There are buyers at this price-point for whom a Rolls-Royce does not fit. I have often thought that in certain situations a Phantom can run the risk of making all the wrong impressions.

Hmm, it seems a couple of people don't agree .......but I'm curious about what they don't agree with.

Nothing I said there was particularly definitive. Unless you don't agree that Roll-Royce and Bentley do a good job. .....or maybe it's you don't believe there is room in this segment for expansion?

Don't misunderstand, I love debates .......I just don't know what we're debating.