2021 Mercedes Maybach S-Class
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The world today needs and thrives on diversification but sometimes it is good to get back to doing what you do best. It is your strength and it is what you are most comfortable with. For Mercedes it is the S-Class. It is what they do best and are doing so for so many years. Rivals are there no doubt but Mercedes owns this part of the sector. However the explosion of SUVs and the changing motoring landscape has somewhat attempted to encroach the dominance of the S-Class. However the new generation model has laid rest to those claims with even more technology and even more luxury. However this is not about the S-Class. It is about what happens when you add “Maybach” to the name. Mercedes has just pulled the covers of its newest super luxury flagship and it is an S-Class but over flowing with the most indulgent of materials along with the technological might that Mercedes can conjure up. It is an S-Class with the volume turned up-to 11. Rolls Royce and Bentley, take note...
The new generation Maybach S-Class is based on the LWB S-Class but has an 18 cm longer wheelbase with new rear-doors and with a lot of the design changed to give the Maybach a more elegant appearance. While it may not be bursting with the sheer simplistic elegance of the new Rolls Royce Ghost or the sportiness of the Bentley Spur; the new Maybach is automotive power dressing. It is big and svelte; along with being imposing plus not afraid to hide its intentions. It screams wealth from some angles but is not vulgar while having a stance which reeking of confidence- something which Mercedes does very well. You have a different bonnet with a chromed fin and the MercedesMaybach radiator grille with vertical chrome pinstripes. Customers can also order a special two-tone paint with a dividing line that is applied by hand. It takes one week to finish this paint.
However it somehow pales when compared to the interior as that is where the Maybach truly shines. The new S-Class cabin of five display screens including the massive 12.8-inch OLED central display remains but the cabin is bathed in a sublime collection of materials. There are some traditional Maybach elements added in like the surrounds of the dial instruments are in the brand color rosé gold. There is plenty of wood, metal and leather everywhere while the first class rear seating is where the Maybach owner will most likely spend time plotting the next big business deal. You have a chauffeur package with executive seating (with a champagne cooler in the middle) while there is even a massage function for the calf-rest as part of the Seating Comfort package. You also have neck/shoulder heating in the rear while you have active ambiance lighting and adaptive rear lighting plus and endless array of gadgetry. Oh and you also get automatic seat belt extender and electric closing doors!
There is the latest MBUX system of course while a range of rear entertainment options are there. Noise is perhaps the biggest enemy of a luxury car and in the new Maybach you have “Active road noise compensation” i.e. much the same way as noise canceling headphones. There is an Interior Assist also which recognizes “numerous occupant intentions” So basically it will recognize eye-direction, hand gestures and the body language of the occupants.
You can cherry pick from a range of 4.0 twin turbo V8s or just go for the range topping 6.0 twin turbo V12. However the Maybach does embrace electrification of some sort with a plugin hybrid on offer now. Do not expect much change from $200,000 when it goes on sale next year. Should Rolls Royce and Bentley be worried? On this evidence, yes!