Wednesday 12th November 2014

Maybach is back!

The Mercedes saloon flagship returns, plus a new naming strategy for the rest of the range

---

In the UK at least, the last Maybach probably wouldn't have been regarded as a success. But evidently there is sufficient demand for a flagship above the S-Class as the Maybach is returning to the Mercedes range.

When's the Mercedes-Maybach Mercedes-AMG?

Sort of. Rather than a separate model, the new car will be the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. You'll notice the naming strategy is similar to the new Mercedes-AMG models, with Mercedes very keen to stress that Maybach 'is not an equipment line - it is a sub-brand that in future will deliver Mercedes-Benz vehicles in an even more exclusive form.' And it is exactly what that name implies, an S-Class that's had the luxury ramped up even further. We can only see the rear passenger seats at the moment (seems like the most appropriate place to start) which is impeccably appointed. Look at that legroom!

Mercedes has said the Maybach S-Class will be distinguished by 'extra spaciousness, special seats and lavishly designed, prestigious interiors offering extensive scope for individualisation'. Mercedes will show the Maybach S-Class in its entirety by the end of this month, though apparently not at LA. Oh and there's an S600 coming also, if anyone's interested.

Referring to the new Mercedes range-topper as a 'Mercedes-Maybach S-Class' is just the tip of a very confusing iceberg for the brand's new model range badges. Best have a pen and paper ready, there's quite a lot to take note of...

Who wants to see the front seats anyway?

Let's begin with engine nomenclature. Forget Bluetec, CDI, Electric Drive and Hybrid; they're gone. All diesel models will simply be 'd', compressed natural gas models will be 'c', there's 'e' for electric and 'f' for fuel cell. All hybrid Mercedes will simply be badged 'h' from now on. 4Matic continues unchanged. Phew.

Got all that? Right, then we're onto the 'simple, clear and transparent' new system for naming the expanding Merc range. The core models of A, B, C, E and S remain but it's the second and third letters that are changing. With a growing SUV range there are new G models most importantly.

So the GLA continues, the GLK become GLC, the ML becomes the GLE and there will be a GLE coupe too. Furthermore, the GL is replaced by the GLS (linking it more closely to the S-Class) and yet, somehow amongst all this, the staunch old Gelandewagen remains a G-Class.

This is becoming a GLS. Not a Vauxhall Vectra

And there's more. All convertible Mercedes models will carry 'SL' in their names from 2016 with the third letter linking back to the core models. This means the SLK will become SLC, which is rather confusing for those who remember the SL coupe. There's no confirmation on whether the E-Class cabriolet will become SLE or if an SLA will join the range at any point. Lord knows what will happen if an open version of the S-Class coupe is made, as has been seen testing. SLS has sort of already been taken.

In Mercedes' defence this is a very logical way of doing things with more models coming. It's just a big change for our simple minds. We'll bring you more details of all the models (and any further changes!) as the news arrives.

[Source: Autocar]

 

 

[HorneyMX5]

It's hard work being a car geek these days. Bring back the days of model and trim letters. Escort L, Cavalier GL, 325I, 190D. All so much easier!

It won't be long until the whole of the rear is taken up with badging. Rust look at a new 911 for heavens sake!

[MyCC]

The problem with the Maybach brand was that it was always just thought of us a uber-luxury S-Class, now that is exactly what it has become. It will have the exact same problem as before, loaded with tech for sure but special enough? Not when competing against Brands such as Rolls, Bentley and possibly now Lagonda.

Regards,

MyCC.

[CDP]

Vanden Plas
Ghia

[gregf40]

MyCC said:

The problem with the Maybach brand was that it was always just thought of us a uber-luxury S-Class, now that is exactly what it has become.

Exactly!

It makes no sense at all.

[soad]

Nice! Does this mean that the Maybach will have a twin turbo V-12?
Will its dashboard be wood encrusted with diamonds?
Will its leather surfaces use Swedish hides untouched by mosquitoes?
Will the exhaust of such an august motorcar smell like first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil?
Clearly, the possibilities are endless...

[V88Dicky]

Found this one for a bag of sand;

[silverback mike]

It looks like a Rover 75...

[g3org3y]

MyCC said:

The problem with the Maybach brand was that it was always just thought of us a uber-luxury S-Class, now that is exactly what it has become. It will have the exact same problem as before, loaded with tech for sure but special enough? Not when competing against Brands such as Rolls, Bentley and possibly now Lagonda.

My thoughts too.

[WCZ]

there was nothing ever wrong with the Maybach as a car

not being as a shouty brand as rolls royce etc has it's own benefits

the only issue was depreciation

[MyCC]

WCZ said:

there was nothing ever wrong with the Maybach as a car

not being as a shouty brand as rolls royce etc has it's own benefits

the only issue was depreciation

It depreciated like a stone because there was little demand for it and it was not well received in Europe. At this end of the market, brand and image is key. Look at how Volkswagen's Phaeton fared in the executive/luxury sector for evidence of how many buyers actually buy a vehicle that is subtle in nature.

Regards,

MyCC.

[burwoodman]

I thought Mercedes was going to revive the Pullman brand.

I wish them luck and they will need it. At this level the Phantom is the obvious choice.

[Mark-C]

silverback mike said:

It looks like a Rover 75...

Yep ... a Rover 75 Vanden Plas

[thelawnet]

WCZ said:

there was nothing ever wrong with the Maybach as a car

not being as a shouty brand as rolls royce etc has it's own benefits

the only issue was depreciation

Really?

http://www.jamesedition.com/cars/maybach
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Seems about par for the course to me.

[thelawnet]

gregf40 said:

Exactly!

It makes no sense at all.

It does, if priced correctly.

An S600L is £140k.

A Phantom is £285k.

There's a lot of room in the middle there.

[wotnot]

First AMG, now Maybach.
Why is Mercedes hell bent on cheapening its premium brands?
Two great names reduced to trim levels.

[jamespink]

V88Dicky said:

Found this one for a bag of sand;

Surely that's the biggest issue for Mercedes... The car just looks so ill proportioned. Personally, even if I had the money there are so many gorgeous cars at this end of the market, the Maybach would not even be on my shortlist. Its just plain/ugly.

[Beer Man]

Let's hope they make the next one a little more easy on the eye.

The last one looked like a demented bd child of Katie Price and Stephen Hawkins

[mightymouse]

Mark-C said:

Yep ... a Rover 75 Vanden Plas

Think I would prefer this.....not that I can afford a Merc or Maybach

[ecs0set]

"there will be a GLE coupe too"

Err what? So that's an SUV ("G") based on the E class ("E") and therefore quite large which is also a coupe?

Who let the anally retentive bloke out of the stationary cupboard?

[burwoodman]

thelawnet said:

gregf40 said:

Exactly!

It makes no sense at all.

It does, if priced correctly.

An S600L is £140k.

A Phantom is £285k.

There's a lot of room in the middle there.

That would be a £200K Ghost or a £200k Mulsanne. The only people stupid enough to buy a Maybach was Theo Paphitis and then he had it chromed which speaks volumes.

I just came across the actual price. £300K for the Maybach. It's inferior to and more expensive that a Phantom.