Maybach concept
from the Paris show just a few weeks back? Well, meet its production reality! OK, if you were expecting something as dramatic as the, er, lipstick red torpedo then you may be a little underwhelmed, given this is basically a dressed up
Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet
. But they're not messing about.
The Mercedes-Benz with the big wheels, right?
Just 300 Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolets will be built and they'll cost 300,000 euros each. At its heart is a 630hp version of Mercedes' 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, providing both suitable firepower and waftability to the rear wheels via the familiar seven-speed automatic gearbox. As previously demonstrated with the S-Class based Pullman limo, for this Maybach rebirth Mercedes is happy for it to be a team effort rather than as a standalone brand. So in this instance Maybach becomes a suffix standing for opulence and luxury in the way AMG does for out and out performance.
In the case of the S650 Cabriolet the basis of the car - up to and including the star on the bonnet - is very much Mercedes. Distinguishing features include a new front bumper, additional chrome trim and some rather stylish forged wheels. And the detailing is most definitely Maybach.
As such it's telling that the press release announcing the car focuses on the nine new interior 'concepts' and 'waterfall' inspired perforations in the leather to create a flowing look. Precision and detail have also gone into the veneers and trim elements within the cabin too, an especially fine milling cutter apparently meaning the "the substrate beneath the fine wood veneer of the three-dimensional trim element is exposed". We'll have a poke around the car at the show and see what that means in reality.
Would sir like help with his luggage?
A four-piece luggage set is also available trimmed in the same leather as the car; this comprises two large travel bags and two smaller 'lifestyle' items for those squeamish about using the word 'manbag'. Ready your PR flak jacket for the promises of the 'Sensual Purity' design philosophy too - apparently it is both hot and cold at the same time.
Such claims aside this appears a more sensible second (or is it third?) coming for Maybach and would appear very much on-message for those who fancy an S-Class Cabriolet but feel it's simply not expensive or exclusive enough. And it'd seem there are enough of those people around to make it worth Mercedes' while.