Mercedes-Benz launches Mercedes-Maybach in India

Mercedes has re-introduced its Maybach premium luxury brand in India with two models, the Mercedes-Maybach S500 and the Mercedes-Maybach S600 sedans.

Earlier today, the Mercedes-Maybach S 500, the most luxurious Mercedes-Benz ever to be locally produced in India, was rolled out of the assembly lines by Eberhard Kern, managing director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Piyush Arora, executive director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India.

Speaking at the lauch, Eberhard Kern said, “With the launch of the Mercedes-Maybach, we now expand the current range of the S-Class with the addition of a vehicle that sets a new benchmark for exclusivity and meets even the most discerning of requirements in terms of its appointments.”

The Maybach brand, which shut down in 2011 after almost a decade of losses, makes a comeback as a sub-brand this time around (in the same vein as the AMG) and cements itself as double-barrel surname into the Mercedes family.

The Mercedes-Maybach S600 is not only the German carmaker’s most premium offering in India but is also the first to be powered by its largest engine yet – the V12. While the Mercedes-Maybach S600 will be sold as a completely built unit in India, the V8-powered Mercedes-Maybach S500 will be locally assembled. This is the first time a Maybach model is manufactured outside Germany.

The new Mercedes-Maybach was first unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November last year. Based on the new S-class, the Maybach is a full 207mm longer when compared to the long wheelbase S-class and most of it – 200mm to be precise – has been incorporated into increasing the distance between the front and the rear wheels.

While the S-class already offers a high degree of comfort and performance, the German automaker has paid high attention to reducing the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels as well as improving the luxury quotient. And for that purpose, special attention has been paid to the rear seats, where Mercedes feels that is where most of the Maybach customers might find themselves. The carmaker claims the car has the quietest rear seat among any production sedan in the world. The feat was achieved by extensive testing in Mercedes-Benz's new aero-acoustic wind tunnel, where experts were able to study the perfect design of the door under wind load.

The cabin can be finished in high-quality hand-stitched Nappa leather, has executive  seats that can be reclined to 43 degrees providing exemplary legroom, fold out tables, sunroof with Magic Sky Control along with a 1540-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system with 24 speakers, among other gadgetry.

On the outside, the windows and other glass areas feature chrome surrounds. Moreover, the B-pillar is also covered in chrome. The Maybach logo – a double M inside an arched triangle – adorns the C-pillars on both sides.

The Mercedes-Maybach S600 powered by a 5,980cc V12 bi-turbo engine with an output of 523bhp at 4,900-5,300 rpm and maximum torque of 84.61kgm at 1,900-4,000rpm. It is priced at Rs 2.6 crore (all prices ex-showroom, Pune).

Mercedes claims the Maybach S600 will complete the sprint to 100kph from standstill in just 5 seconds, while the top speed will be electronically limited to 250kph. Transmission duties will be undertaken by a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. Mercedes India has announced that all units of the Maybach S600 are sold out for this year. The locally-assembled Mercedes-Maybach S500 is priced at Rs 1.67 crore.

The carmaker also announced that Roland Folger has taken charge as the new CEO and MD for Mercedes Benz India from Eberhard Kern.