Maybach 57/62 (W240/V240) [Spy Shots] Maybach Facelift: Spy Photos & Info

[SCOTT27]

You completely overlooked the joke.
But anyway the failure of Maybach is not down to just the car but also the marketing too which was non-existent, they could have done something interesting in fact the whole thinking behind Maybach is anonymous. I have a few ideas that ultimately I believe would have worked but they are not for hire.
They were just too interested in letting the entertainment and the financial world market their car in which some elements of statelyness and royalty did not appreciate the "bling" culture associated with Maybach.

To see how unsure Daimler are uncertain of the Maybach look at the Ocean Drive Concept - originally intended as a Maybach Concept as the idea fits within Maybach's premium image. But they got cold feet and rebadged the car as a Mercedes-Benz - Personally if the car was badged as a Maybach it would have worked and be a preview of an exciting future. All we got was the Laundaulet by then the nails were getting ready to be hammered into it's coffin.

Seeing Britney Spiers carooning around in a 62S in her latest video is just one of many nails in the coffin for the Maybach.
Lending hip hop stars the Exelero Concept for their latest video showcases the desperation marketing were at. at least when puff daddy , Jay-Zee came calling for the Rolls-Royce 100EX (before the drophead Coupe) to feature in their latest video - BMW said no and not just once either.

So what do we have left the strong indication of a Maybach Concept car at the IAA in September which rumours suggest is a SUV based on the GL-Klasse chassis. "Which is what customers want" apparently?

 

[MercFan]

You completely overlooked the joke.
But anyway the failure of Maybach is not down to just the car but also the marketing too which was non-existent, they could have done something interesting in fact the whole thinking behind Maybach is anonymous. I have a few ideas that ultimately I believe would have worked but they are not for hire.
They were just too interested in letting the entertainment and the financial world market their car in which some elements of statelyness and royalty did not appreciate the "bling" culture associated with Maybach.

To see how unsure Daimler are uncertain of the Maybach look at the Ocean Drive Concept - originally intended as a Maybach Concept as the idea fits within Maybach's premium image. But they got cold feet and rebadged the car as a Mercedes-Benz - Personally if the car was badged as a Maybach it would have worked and be a preview of an exciting future. All we got was the Laundaulet by then the nails were getting ready to be hammered into it's coffin.

Seeing Britney Spiers carooning around in a 62S in her latest video is just one of many nails in the coffin for the Maybach.
Lending hip hop stars the Exelero Concept for their latest video showcases the desperation marketing were at. at least when puff daddy , Jay-Zee came calling for the Rolls-Royce 100EX (before the drophead Coupe) to feature in their latest video - BMW said no and not just once either.

So what do we have left the strong indication of a Maybach Concept car at the IAA in September which rumours suggest is a SUV based on the GL-Klasse chassis. "Which is what customers want" apparently?

Ha-ha. Scott, you are a funny guy you know. Puff, Jay-Z, Master P etc are just show men. They want the latest and the most exclusive. 100EX was the latest, big, expensive and nothing else. Puf used SLR in his video. Shit! Every idiot uses S-class or CLS in the video. Shit!

Do you think that Maybach customers even know who Britney Spears is??? If you are talking about some idiotic rappers covered with gold, than yes.

The only mistake in the Maybach is its exterior. It doesn't shout all over the town "I am the most expensive", "idiot inside is a very. very.very rich man". Maybach is more comfortable, faster, better equipped, has much more space inside. But it is not made for people on the street, looking at it. It is made for one inside of the car. Do you know what i mean?

 

[SCOTT27]

Ha-ha. Scott, you are a funny guy you know. Puff, Jay-Z, Master P etc are just show men. They want the latest and the most exclusive. 100EX was the latest, big, expensive and nothing else. Puf used SLR in his video. Shit! Every idiot uses S-class or CLS in the video. Shit!

Yes but I long for the days of De La Soul , A Tribe called Quest , Cypress Hill amongst others... That was music back in my day if anyone has progressed and rose above todays modern acts I would have to say it's the Beastie Boys.

 

[nex0801]

So what do we have left the strong indication of a Maybach Concept car at the IAA in September which rumours suggest is a SUV based on the GL-Klasse chassis. "Which is what customers want" apparently?

Please, would you show me some proof or link?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Report: Facelifted Maybach Coming Next Year

It’s no secret Maybach has been a major flop for Mercedes-Benz. At a time when Rolls-Royce and Bentley were both making record sales, Maybach has struggled to move just over 800 cars since its launch in 2002. Furthermore, sales for the ultra-luxury marquee were down almost 25% last year and this year isn’t shaping up to be much better.

One of Maybach’s key problems is that it essentially offers a bloated Mercedes-Benz at an exuberant price tag. The Maybach looks too much like a Mercedes-Benz and many critics have argued that its cars should have simply been branded with the familiar Three Pointed Star logo, which in turn would have saved a lot of money from wasteful branding exercises.

To inject some life and excitement into its model range, Maybach revived its flagship Zeppelin nameplate for a pair of special edition sedans (pictured) earlier this year, however, a much more significant update to the lineup is coming next year.

The information comes directly from Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, who revealed that facelifted versions of the Maybach 57 and 62 sedans were coming next year.

Surprisingly, Zetsche admitted that luxury buyers' tastes were changing towards more "discreet and subtle luxury," possibly suggesting that no replacement is planned for the current model lineup.

"The contribution of Maybach is not significant or relevant but there are only two players in this market and we are one of them. But there are no plans in the long run," he said during a recent interview.

- Report: Facelifted Maybach Coming Next Year - MotorAuthority

 

[LaArtist]

Crap

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Crap

LMAO....You don't want a facelift Maybach?

 

[LaArtist]

^no.. either give us something entirely new.. or just put the damn brand to rest..

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^no.. either give us something entirely new.. or just put the damn brand to rest..

Lol...Well I would love to see them come out with a new model. Perhaps a coupe based off the excelero, but if they could possibily give it a facelift that would change the look of the car (Like Benz did with the W221 facelift), it would be very exciting. Especially if the grill comes out looking stronger.

 

[Cashmere]

clearly the people in charge of Maybach have absolutely no idea what they're doing.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

clearly the people in charge of Maybach have absolutely no idea what they're doing.

Well honestly a facelift is expected and needed to be done. Of course this should have been done much sooner.

What they need to focus on is building cars that look nothing like Mercedes-Benz. They saw how much attention the Excelero got, they need to build on that. I think Mercedes-Benz is trying to be careful with their money and hoping that an all new Maybach would actually sell.

 

[coolraoul]

Artist's right. Useless unless the car is substantially altered in order not to look like an inflated S-Class any more, and that ouside like inside.

It's a waste of money. The car is a major failure, changing the grille will not help at all.

All the special editions (the Zeppelin and its absurd and poorly integrated perfume diffusor, the landaulet, etc) were useless. The S models were kind of a facelift already, only coming at a price, and did not help either.

The shape itself is wrong, as is the interior. Either a complete rework, or nothing.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

the car is substantially altered in order not to look like an inflated S-Class any more

The shape itself is wrong, as is the interior. Either a complete rework, or nothing.

Well there is probably only so much they can do as far as the exterior when calling it a facelift.

The main problem is if the car is getting a facelift now, then this means a new model won't be here until...2012/2013. That is way too long. Of course their has been rumours that the next generation will use the W222 platform.

That said a facelift is a facelift so it's important not to get hopes so high as to expect a body change. On the other hand a creative facelift that really changes the rearlights/headlights and grill would/could invite a few more sells. May not be substantial to blow away the market, but at least it will keep Maybach alive if they decide to keep the brand going in the future.

Interior wise, the rear is flawless.

Easily matches/exceeds Bentley and Maybach. I doubt that has been an issue at all in terms of sells.

Interior front wise, yes that does need to lose the almost (Last Generation) Benz look.

 

[LaArtist]

Ppl talk about the MM as a bloated S class..
Man its not even that..
Its a bloated OLD S class..
The new one is even halfway through its life cycle..
And the MM is based on the W220 Still..

And they expect someone to pay top dollars for that?
With cars like the Mulsanne around?

WAKE UP!!!

On the other hand.. i understand from a financial point of view.. they will put little money into the FL with hope of making a decent ammount..
I hope this is just a transition period to keep the brand alive..
While their working on something great..
If not.. then just CLOSE the SHOP..
Its just painfull at this point..

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^I think the Maybach is based on the W140...Interior of the W220 and Exterior of the W221.

 

[LaArtist]

^even worse

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I hope this is just a transition period to keep the brand alive..
While their working on something great..

I really think it is.

The problem with the Maybach isn't it's Luxury features, Power nor it's platform. The issue is it looks too much like another companies car. Honestly I truly believe that anyone here wou love driving around a 57S, unless your someone who hates to drive anything over 2 pounds.

When the Maybach came out, it looked outstanding IMO. The issue came when the Phantom came out looking completely different and way more noticeable and them people started noticing the Maybachs faults.

What Maybach needs is a whole new design. I know it will be hard work considering Maybach is such an old company and Mercedes has to think from the ground up. BMW could easily pull from the Junior Rolls-Royce guide book for the Phantom.

Maybach needs to have a signature look that stands out from the reset. It should look sophisticated yet powerful.

My thing is they need to build up to the next generation 62 (Or flagship Maybach). By 2011 they should be presenting a entry-level Maybach with an all new shaper look, with extraordinary power. Then a Coupe should be introduced with the same features with an even bolder look. At this time the Marketing department should be working extremely hard to put Maybach in the public eye. Then by 2013/14 the next Maybach should arrive will an all new look and have the highest luxury features available to man kind.

Now if we just get a facelift...then nothing else until 2015 and the New Maybach looks exactly like the W222...then I will be mad.

But until they get themselves together...we can enjoy Bentley's new products.

 

[EnI]

Daimler are loosing it big time.

Bad marriage with Chrysler ending with a costly divorce.
Sticking with loss-making & slow-selling smart, and considering paring it with Toyota.
Having Maybach just hanging there without any visions.

Fail after fail, after fail.

At least MB brand is doing well at the moment.

Shutting down Maybach would be a fiasco par excellence for Daimler. It's less damaging to keep the brand alive at barely noticeable "pulse".


Every reaction by Daimler was a knee-jerk reaction - they acquired Chrysler after BMW paired with Rover. They acquire smart (going in JV with swatch) when it was clear BMW will revive MINI. The Maybach was revived after MB failed to acquire RR / Bentley - knowing the brands will either end in VW or BMW hands (since there was a bidding war between BMW & VW - VW won but was later forced to stop marketing RR trademark & so the cars - since BMW got the rights for that from RR Plc the aero engine marker which was the RR trademark & design trademarks owner.)

And all decision made in panic as a reaction to the moves done by rivals proved to be failed projects.

BMW was luckier with MINI & RR - after coming out of the Rover debacle. VW even more with Lambo, Bugatti, Bentley, Skoda & even Seat - and especially now with winning the Porsche after Wolfgang / Wendelin's failed VW takeover.

Btw, with Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti the VW Group is on a good path to become world's bigger premium car maker, overtaking BMW Group.

 

[LaArtist]

^
They are still paying the price of the retarded days with a crazy board..

But its not as bad as the picture you are painting..

Maybach doesent loose MB much money at this point.. so who cares.. and i think the big Z has a plan..

Smart has regained some momentum, but yes far from the sucess story of MINI..

Thank god for the Mercedes Benz, the trucks, busses and the stake in EADS..

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Shutting down Maybach would be a fiasco par excellence for Daimler. It's less damaging to keep the brand alive at barely noticeable "pulse".

The Maybach was revived after MB failed to acquire RR / Bentley - knowing the brands will either end in VW or BMW hands

Yes, killing Maybach would be a blow to Benz and basically saying they failed in the catagory. Benz doesn't really admit to failure.

Maybach was revived by Benz to take on Rolls-Royce and Bentley. On the other hand I have read plenty of articles that have stated the Mercedes-Benz was not even interested in Rolls-Royce. That whole issue was between VW and BMW. Especially since the BMW was supplying the engines to to already existing Rolls-Royce Seraph.

BMW’s ties to Rolls Royce stretch back to the early 1990’s when the two companies teamed up to see two Rolls Royce models (the Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage make use of BMW engines. It was this early work together that laid the groundwork for BMW’s desires to eventually acquire the Rolls Royce company.

- BMW And Volkswagen Battle Over Rolls Royce | Car Tuning Central

Either way the idea of Benz building Maybach was a great idea. The issue is they had to do more work in building Maybach's reputation compared with BMW, which got a company who reputation was already world known. All BMW had to do with build the car. Benz needed to build the car and recreate a brand that was dead.

Their starting point was

Only thing is their approach was to take elements from the vehicle, but with a big Mercedes-benz twist and that was their biggest issue.

Maybach has to find a way to get sales and profit. If they can do that, they will be on track. Hope still exist!.....But it will depend on Mercedes-Benz leadership to pull it together.