Maybach 57 and Maybach 62: World's Most Exclusive Car Heads
for South Africa
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Maybach 57
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The upper end of the automotive world has for decades been
defined by luxury cars and, in a few instances, super-luxury
cars. Now these have been superseded by the Maybach, an
automotive masterpiece that heralds a new dimension in
exclusivity, luxury, comfort and cutting-edge technology.
A year after their acclaimed world premiere in New York, the
two derivatives of the world's most exclusive car, the Maybach
57 and Maybach 62, are about to make their debut in South
Africa. However, with production for the world market limited to
1000 units per year, and prices starting at R 3,4 million,
Maybach will never be a common sight on South African roads.
Equipped with the automotive technology of the 21st century,
crafted in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, and
designed with scrupulous attention to detail, the new Maybach
saloons reflect the expertise of DaimlerChrysler as the world's
most innovative and tradition-steeped vehicle manufacturer,
while benefiting from the technical leadership, know-how and
unique experience of its sister-brand Mercedes-Benz in the
world-wide luxury car segment.
The Maybach defines the standards at the very peak of the
passenger car market, at the same time continuing the tradition
of the legendary Maybach automobiles which, together with
Mercedes-Benz, were among the elite in German and international
automotive engineering during the 1920s and 1930s.
The model designations denote the respective lengths of these
unique, super-luxury vehicles: 6.17 metres in the case of the
Maybach 62, and 5.73 metres in the case of the Maybach 57.
Pioneering innovations, so far uniquely available in
Mercedes-Benz vehicles, have undergone further development for
the Maybach. Included in the standard equipment are the
electrohydraulic braking system Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC™),
the electronically controlled air suspension system AIRMATIC DC
(Dual Control), LINGUATRONIC voice control, and the operating
and display system COMAND APS.
These are complemented by further masterpieces of automotive
engineering which were specifically developed for the Maybach,
and which substantiate its claim to the high-end position in the
luxury car segment: the "Type 12" V12 engine (405
kW/550 hp), which delivers more power and torque than any other
standard-production saloon car engine in the world, a 600 Watt
sound system with Dolby Surround Sound at every seat, a highly
efficient four-zone climate control system with two separate air
conditioners and - exclusive to the Maybach 62 - innovative and
comfortable fully-reclining seats in the rear.
A unique customer service function is included as standard
for all Maybach customers. A Personal Liaison Manager (PLM) acts
as a "butler", who is available 24/7 for customers.
The PLM is solely responsible to take care of the customer -
from original query on Maybach right through to managing the
servicing requirements for the customer's vehicle. This includes
managing the delivery of the customer's Maybach - as per his
choice - either in South Africa, or at the specialised Maybach
Centre of Excellence in Stuttgart, Germany.
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Maybach 62
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Design: a perfect balance of elegant and avant-garde
features
In the new Maybach technological excellence is combined with
equally unique elegance, aesthetics and design perfection. The
harmonious interplay of form, colour and materials lends these
high-end saloons a distinct design quality, accentuating their
serene character and giving them an unmistakable identity. The
Maybach is a highly elegant embodiment of greatness; its special
stylistic appeal derives from a perfect balance of elegant and
avant-garde features. The lines of the Maybach hold a timeless
appeal - an ideal which applies to both the exterior and
interior design. In every sense of the word this makes the new
Maybach an automobile for life.
The highest quality materials - among them more than 100
exquisitely crafted and hand-fitted items in fine wood -
embellish the interior, whose design was guided by one
overriding objective: the greatest possible comfort and
wellbeing for all the passengers.
This is achieved not -only by the spacious interior, which
has an overall length of 2.25/2.68 metres, but also by the
sumptuous comfort of the seating, climate control, and by the
virtual absence of noise, all of which adds up to a truly
exceptional motoring experience.
Individuality: over 2 million permutations
Everything even the most demanding travellers might require
in the way of entertainment and communication during a journey
in the Maybach is included as standard: from a DVD player to a
TV receiver, from a refrigerated compartment to a cordless
telephone with two handsets.
At the same time Maybach still allows its customers ample
scope to express their individuality - another way in which the
luxury brand is following the tradition of the legendary Maybach
cars of earlier years:
- The extensive range of standard and optional equipment
gives Maybach customers over two million ways of equipping
their car to their personal taste. This can be further
complemented with high-quality accessory items which have
been specifically developed for the Maybach - from a
custom-made luggage set to champagne goblets of sterling
silver, from a humidor for cigar aficionados to a golf bag,
and from floor mats of the finest velour to a fluffy travel
rug.
- For the interior trim and upholstery Maybach customers
have a choice of six Exclusive nappa leather colours and
three types of fine wood.
- A range of 17 paint finishes is available for the
exterior, and as a further elegant feature of the Maybach
these may be combined to produce a two-tone colour
scheme.
- Numerous additional extras are available as technical
equipment to satisfy personal requests or requirements.
These include exclusive Mercedes innovations for even
greater comfort and travelling enjoyment, such as the
proximity control system DISTRONIC, the access and locking
system KEYLESS-GO, and active seat ventilation.
As the Maybach is made in the modern "Manufaktur" -
a manufacturing facility with the emphasis on craftsmanship -
and in very small numbers averaging five vehicles per day, it is
possible to meet further individual customer requirements and
thereby make each of these luxury cars unique.
Engine: peak values for output and torque
The newly developed engine reflects the long years of
experience and great expertise of DaimlerChrysler in the
development, design and production of twelve-cylinder power
units. With a displacement of 5.5 litres, and with the
assistance of twin turbocharging, the Maybach engine develops an
output of 405 kW/550 hp, with a maximum torque of 900 Newton
metres already available from 2300 r/min. This gives the
"Type 12" engine a higher output and more torque than
any other standard-production saloon car engine in the world.
Thanks to three-valve technology and highly efficient
catalytic converters it already complies with the strict EU 4
exhaust emission limits which come into force in 2005.
Despite the Maybach's size and mass, the powerful V12-engine
and advanced automatic gearbox guarantee effortless performance:
the Maybach 57 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.2
seconds, and thanks to the high torque a sprint from 60 to 120
km/h takes only 6.2 seconds.
Safety: occupant protection with ten airbags
In addition to a highly sophisticated body structure, the
exemplary safety technology of this high-end luxury car includes
a total of ten airbags -- two adaptive airbags with two-stage
gas generators for the front occupants, four sidebags, and two
large windowbags on each side of the interior.
The automatic comfort-fit three-point seat belts,
high-performance belt tensioners and belt force limiters are
integrated into the seats and can therefore develop their full
protective action in any position.
By virtue of these sophisticated safety features the Maybach
meets and exceeds all current and future vehicle safety
requirements.
The Maybach's high level of active safety is assisted by the
innovative Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC™) braking system
developed by Mercedes-Benz, which features two central control
units, two high-pressure reservoirs and two hydraulic units in
the case of the Maybach. This means that these cars are equipped
with a total of eight braking circuits, while internally
ventilated front disc brakes, each with two callipers, ensure
exceptional deceleration.
Pricing and availability
The Maybach is covered by a four year/unlimited kilometers
maintenance contract as standard. Also offered at no extra cost
is the Touring Guarantee, which takes care of every need in
terms of mobility and 24-hour roadside assistance.
Pricing for the Maybach 57 starts at R3,4 million, and for
the Maybach 62 at R4,0 million. As each car will be built to its
owner's specifications, pricing and delivery timing will vary.
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