Report: Handful Of New Maybach Models Coming

[HighestOfHigh]

There's slow-selling and then there's Maybach. Moving a paltry 200 cars from its factories last year, the Maybach brand is still failing to achieve the reach and appeal of the established classic ultra-luxury brands Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The truth remains that Maybach’s sales are far below capacity, as the company’s assembly plant in Germany has the capability to churn out up to 2,000 vehicles per year, but bosses at Maybach’s parent company Daimler are determined to keep the brand alive.

There’s one very good reason for this. Despite dismal sales, the Maybach brand is actually profitable for parent company Daimler as the current 57 and long-wheelbase 62 is based on the previous-generation S-Class. It turns out the engineering efforts in developing the cars were minimal.

However, a new range of models will eventually be required and are probably long overdue.

Daimler board member Joachim Schmidt, the man in charge of the company’s sales and marketing, actually sees a bright future for Maybach, especially in emerging markets such as the Middle East, China and Russia. Additionally, with a new 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the works, engineers now have a new and advanced platform on which to develop the new Maybach models--just what a flagship sedan needs.

According to the guys at Automobile Magazine, the new Maybach lineup could consist of up to five different models, including a four-door coupe and a long-wheelbase convertible built along the lines of 2007’s Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive concept. In addition to these, there will also be replacements for the regular 57 and 62 models, including sporty ‘S’ variants, as well as a new hybrid model.

To keep development costs low, all Maybach models will feature the same powerplant: a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 developing between 545 and 630 horsepower depending on which model it’s installed in. The hybrid version will also feature an electric motor capable of powering the car in electric-only mode for distances up to 10 miles.

One of the most crucial aspects, however, will be the styling of the cars. One of the biggest criticisms of the current range is that their styling is too similar to the less Mercedes-Benz S-Class on which the cars are based. This won’t be an issue with the new range, which has been described as "jewels on wheels and at last worthy of the brand," by an insider.

Whatever the outcome, don’t expect to see any new Maybach models before the 2013 model year.

- Report: Handful Of New Maybach Models Coming - MotorAuthority

 

[LaArtist]

Wow exciting stuff if true

 

[lesney78]

It would be great to finally see a powerful Maybach coupe. I am still sad that the Exelero concept never made into production.

 

[fortuner]

If true i say wow and about time for Mercedes to wake up and make maybach its distinctive brand.

 

[Tarek]

Fantastic news.

 

[coolraoul]

Great if those Maybach indeed boast a distinvtive style, not a beefed-up MB look...

 

[Wolfgang]

ANALYSIS - A ray of hope for Maybach?



The sluggish sales of the Mercedes-Benz-owned über-premium Maybach might turn out to be the spark needed to ignite a whole new and attractive future for this old and refined brand.


Instead of a complete setback, latest reports suggest that top executives of the management board of Daimler AG have decided to give it another go (or try, as you like it) in the case of Maybach-Manufaktur. With the future W 222 S-Class prone to arrive at the end of 2012, the luxurious brand could face an unexpected, bright outcome. According to Joachim Schmidt, the sales and marketing boss of Daimler, the future lineup of Maybach could spawn up to 5 different models. Moreover, designers have received the difficult task of cleverly setting up a new styling philosophy for the new Maybach models. We definitely have to keep our wits about this stuff, as an insider suggests they will be "jewels on wheels and at last worthy of the brand", thus quoting members of the design team.

The new lineup could consist of replacements for the 57 and 62 models, as well as a possible 2-door coupe based on the 57 version and a 4-door coupe, or even a cabriolet, inspired by the 4-door canvas-top Ocean Drive Concept presented back in 2006. Expect also powerful S variants and, probably, a full-hybrid version, able to ensure an autonomy of approximately 50 km in electric-only mode. The powertrain will come straight from the 2013 S-Class, while the engine offer will stick to the traditional 6.0 litres V12 powerplants in two output configurations: 545 BHP and 630 BHP. However, there's still plenty of waiting to endure, as no new Maybach models are planned to be released before 2013.

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[Kowalski]

They should put the Exelero into production.

 

[LaArtist]

^not even that design is solid enough to compete with bentley and RR..
They better come up with an identity.. of its own..
But its a DAMN tall order.. i mean identity's of brands today has been formed over nearly 100 years.. to just start from nowhere and make something unique is not an easy job..
If they do it..it will be epic.. but its leaning towards FAIL..

I mean look at the old MM´s..its not like you can take much from them.. and make something unique today.. even then they looked like MB´s..



Tough task to say the least..

PS
My vision of MM has always been that they should make it a coach-building arm of MB..like the most expensive MB´s S,CL and SL.. but reworked by hand and made exceptional.. with the name..Mercedes Maybach..

 

[Centurion]

Mercedes is the nokia and Microsoft of the auto industry - they are a defining brand of their industry but are badly struggling to innovate beyond their core customer base.

Both maybath and smart brand haven't evolved in a successful fashion. I have little confidence in mercedes to propel these secondary brand forward. The corporate culture simply isn't right or modern enough to foster new and fresh ideas.

The smart car was a fresh of breath air but then slider south to become an overpriced toy car suddenly it is not the smallest or most fuel efficient car money can buy. There is now an influx of smal cars likes the Toyota aygo and iq. Not to mention bmw's forthcoming urban glider and the vw 1up. Together they will nail the coffin for smart car and leave mecedes executive scratching their heads pondering why product development has been stagnant.

For the good of maybach, mercedes must start from scratch and scrabble together a new team of people to produce a luxury icon will not only take people beyond their dreams but equally make and emotion and symbolic impression, both of which the current maybach line doesn't.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I'll believe it when I see it. They need something new and STAT!