Maybach 57/57S Paris 2006: Maybach 57 S in a Shining White Livery Revealed

[siko]

Maybach 57 S in a Shining White Livery Revealed

At the 78th International Motor Show in Paris, Maybach is presenting its Model 57 S in a shining white paint finish for the first time. In this way the tradition-laden German luxury brand is meeting the desire of one of its customers for even more individuality. In standard trim the sporty and luxurious Model 57 S is only available with a single-tone paint finish in either black or silver. The shining new "Antiqua White" finish impressively emphasises the dynamic character of this high-end luxury saloon, whose outstanding performance potential particularly captures the enthusiasm of passionate owner-drivers.

The white paint finish of the 57 S is applied in multiple layers by experienced specialists using a highly involved process – there are almost twice as many layers than is usual for other luxury cars. In contrast to conventional paint finishes using just one base paint to provide the colour tone, two different paints are necessary to achieve this incomparable, mother-of-pearl-like sheen – one of these contains mica. This highlighting material is responsible for the particular sheen of the paint finish, which varies slightly depending on the lighting angle and shines especially brightly in sunlight. The paint layers are mainly applied by hand, and several additional layers of clearcoat ensure a highly resistant finish.

"Antiqua White" is available to customers on request, as part of the more than two million Maybach individualisation options.

 

[mc_blue]

This model is aimed at the Arab market for sure. I've never been excited by the Maybach not like I am by the RR Phantom.

 

[wltsm]

The interior of this car is starting to look pretty dated, wonder when Maybach will give this car a F/L!

 

[SDNR]

It is looking a little bit dated when compared to the BMW 7er or S class. There are a few aspects of the interior that have always irritated me in the Maybach. Firstly, I do not like the elliptical door handle/seat-control clusters ...they age the design a great deal IMO. Secondly, I hate the "soft leather" of the standard Maybach models ...the upholstery on the 57 S model improves the ambiance of the interior enormously; and thirdly, the shapes of the wood panels on the doors are unnecessarily fussy and in my opinion unattractive ...the overall impression of the interior reminds me of those mass-produced recreational boat interiors. It is a similar style of interior you see in corporate jets -- the old S class's interior was also like that, and the E class's still is.

 

[Merc1]

I have a feeling Maybach doesn't know what to do with the 57 or 62 at this point. They've resorted to the oldest trick in the book, lots of special editions and fancy colors, but choice and personalization aren't the Maybach's problems. The part that has to hurt is that these care likely the best cars in the world, yet non of the rich seem to care. I mean it is built on the uber-tank W140 chassis and updated with modern tech and the best materials and outpowers anything else with 4-doors and yet few buyers. If the original faction that wanted this Maybach are still employed at MB they've likely been demoted to working on the next C-Class.

M

 

[SDNR]

One problem is the super-rich today are not as fussed about these types of vehicles as they used to be. There was a time when the super-rich would commission vehicles entirely to there own specifications (like the coachbuilt Rolls-Royces I have posted in the past) but automobiles are no longer really such status symbols as they used to be. These types of vehicles are bought as luxury items rather than as an everyday means of transport -- for most of the world's richest individuals, commissioning a Maybach would never be as thrilling as taking delivery of a new Lürssen mega-yacht or Gulfstream jet. It would seem most very wealthy people prefer something less conspicuous, like a Luxury SUV or S class/BMW 7. If individuals in this market want to indulge themselves, they would more likely buy a supercar than an ultra-luxury car.

I think the market has changed at this level of the market; however, the market below the Phantom and Maybach is very buoyant ....the people in the second tier of the world's rich do still buy luxury cars as status symbols -- they view luxury cars in a different context to the people at the most plutocratic end of society. So while they are stuck in traffic sitting in the pleasant luxury their S600s, the world's most powerful people are flying overhead in their Sikorskys.

If you owned one of these, a Maybach or Phantom wouldn't seem all that exciting.

 

[Zafiro]

This is the ugliest car MB have ever built. I saw a Maybach on the streets in Geneva. The car has tons of presence but its very ugly to look at. Not that the RR is a beauty either but it looks a lot better than this.

 

[SDNR]

Well perhaps that is a little unfair Just_me, the 57 S can look pretty stunning -- look at it in this picture. I think it looks very good here.

 

[Centurion]

^^
Yepp the S57 looks best in black. That is the only MM I'm interested in.

 

[Merc1]

Well the 62's proportions are really ungainly and could be described as ugly, but not the 57 or specifically the 57S. It is what the 57 should have been since day one.

M

 

[PanterroR]

Well the 62's proportions are really ungainly and could be described as ugly, but not the 57 or specifically the 57S. It is what the 57 should have been since day one.

M

Agreed! 57S is ok, but the rest of the line up is... Oh well...

 

[Pagani]

I'm waiting for Maybach to come up with their CLS version, rumored to be based on the new S-Class. I believe that will become the maybach of choice once out in the market.

 

[SDNR]

I'm waiting for Maybach to come up with their CLS version, rumored to be based on the new S-Class. I believe that will become the Maybach of choice once out in the market.

A cheaper Maybach would definitely sell well I think. I'm sure there is no shortage of S class buyers who dream of owning a Maybach ...but just cannot either afford or justify spending that much money for one.

The Maybach was conceived back in the mid 1990's, at the height of the Dot-com boom, DCX envisioned legions of these new millionaires desperate to buy a Maybach ....unfortunately the NASDAQ crashed and by the end of the century, the global economy was slowing down, but even more importantly, the high end of the market has changed.

Luxury SUVs and sports cars are what wealthy people are buying these days -- sales of Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis have been at record levels ...but there is also a growing market for luxury sedans that sit between the S class and the Maybach -- this is where the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur have succeeded so well ...and it is in this market segment that Maybach will do well.

As I said earlier, the world's most affluent people are not the big market for high-end luxury cars anymore, for them, cars are just a means of getting to the airport, to their private jets. Cars like the Maybach and Phantom might also be considered too indiscreet for many of the individuals on Forbes rich list -- a lot of them are intensely private people.

 

[abunawafff]

hey that white one is exactly like mine... mine dosnt have the pearl paint though...and inst an S .... but its my daily driver and is a joy to drive realy...
i had the chance to chek out the 57S i liked the carbon fiber.. but didnt like the super sensative leather... mine is more like standard...

but i do agree the 62 is a boat...

MB has too many cars in there line up already... why would they make even more???

 

[Matt]

Did I just see a bunch of plastic buttons in a 300k dollar car???

 

[LaArtist]

ive been in the maybach..i dont know if those buttons are plastic..but they are real nice.. they have like pianowood finish and feel to them

 

[SDNR]

Did I just see a bunch of plastic buttons in a 300k dollar car???

Most of the switches are black lacquered -- I think they are metal.

 

[Matt]

Most of the switches are black lacquered -- I think they are metal.

O ok, now I see. That makes me feel a bit better. THe interior is still looking a bit dated.

 

[Merc1]

A cheaper Maybach would definitely sell well I think. I'm sure there is no shortage of S class buyers who dream of owning a Maybach ...but just cannot either afford or justify spending that much money for one.

The Maybach was conceived back in the mid 1990's, at the height of the Dot-com boom, DCX envisioned legions of these new millionaires desperate to buy a Maybach ....unfortunately the NASDAQ crashed and by the end of the century, the global economy was slowing down, but even more importantly, the high end of the market has changed.

Luxury SUVs and sports cars are what wealthy people are buying these days -- sales of Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis have been at record levels ...but there is also a growing market for luxury sedans that sit between the S class and the Maybach -- this is where the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur have succeeded so well ...and it is in this market segment that Maybach will do well.

As I said earlier, the world's most affluent people are not the big market for high-end luxury cars anymore, for them, cars are just a means of getting to the airport, to their private jets. Cars like the Maybach and Phantom might also be considered too indiscreet for many of the individuals on Forbes rich list -- a lot of them are intensely private people.

Yes this is correct and MB also got envious and changed the whole program from Maybach by Mercedes to a stand alone brand, another mistake IMO. This should have just been the new "600" or what they were going to call it originally, the Maybach by Mercedes.

M

 

[SDNR]

I doubt DCX are satisfied with such low sales for their flagship model, even if it is selling better than the original 600 -- but the potential market for such prestigious cars is so much bigger than it was in the 1960's and 70's.

I think the Exelero would probably sell relatively well ...they Veyron has been a big success in terms of sales numbers -- just a pity VAG are loosing millions on each one sold.

It seems, buyers at the high-end of the market are far more willing to pay for ultra-expensive performance cars rather than super luxury cars -- especially when a Flying Spur pretty much offers everything the MM57S does, at a far better price.

Can somebody tell me how well the SLR has been selling?