The Hindu Business Line : Maybach: The palace on wheels

MAHARAJAHS who are tired of roaming around the hundreds of opulent rooms in their palaces, business tycoons holidaying in their ranches that rival small countries in size and Sheikhs who have struck it big with their barrels of black gold have a new objet de desire to spend their seemingly never ending wealth on.

Tired of the Mercs and Beamers (that will seem commonplace in comparison to this new Palanquin among cars) in their garages, this elitist club will now be able to buy this palace on four wheels for nearly the price of small Polynesian island. And so it is, after their gilded bathrooms, luxury yachts and diamond-studded watches, a fitting complement to be seen driving in if your personal wealth is in the billion dollar plus category.

We are, of course, talking about the new Maybach (pronounced "my-back"), a car and a brand that has been resurrected, redesigned and reconstructed by Mercedes Benz. With luxury car brands such as Rolls Royce and Bentley acquired by rivals BMW and Volkswagen, which then go on to launch new luxury cars under these marques, Mercedes could not have been far behind. And in typical Mercedes style the new car is a no-compromise luxury automobile like no other ever manufactured.

The new Maybach 62 and the slightly smaller variant, Maybach 57, were premiered last year and have quickly attracted the eyes of discerning buyers in India.

And so, in what is probably the quickest entries for a new luxury car into India and despite the looming threat of an income-tax raid (after all much cheaper car buyers have been grilled by IT officials) wealthy car buyers here looking for the most luxurious car on the planet will be able to customise, personalise and have the car personally delivered at their door-step.

Epitome of luxury

Clearly, the Maybach, when it was conceived and produced, was meant to cater to the most discerning elite among luxury car buyers. The powerful engine, unparalleled, hand-crafted finish quality, the over two million equipment options and the motorised, electrically operated everything in this luxury car is meant to please the pedigree, opulence and comfort-obsessed tycoon, who also hides a motoring enthusiast.

So what is it that you get for a million and more of greenbacks that you will have to spend on this car.

The Maybach 62 and 57 have actually been distinguished as the bigger and slightly smaller sibling based on their wheelbase.

Unlike some of the other luxury cars that are on the face and downright brash, the Maybach's design and subdued elegance is meant to reflect its heritage and will appeal to the tastes of those who want to make a statement, stand out from the crowd and at the same time remain unobtrusive. The Maybach's simple and straight lines both inside and out have been chosen for their timeless elegance.

The Maybach looks sturdy and is unmistakable on the road. Sized nearly as much as a small ship, the ample dimensions have enabled the car's manufacturers to give rear seat passengers legroom that may only be rivalled by first-class airline passenger seats.

The Maybach's seats at the rear recline as much as too. All that the passenger has to do is call up a pre-programmed reclining position at the touch of a button and the backrest slowly tilts backwards by up to 47 degrees. At the same time, a lower leg support and footrest fold out from the under of the seat. The full function being controlled electric motors working in coordination to offer up to three pre-programmed settings.

Though the Maybach's exterior design may not seem so much out of the world, the technology that is employed to enhance passenger comfort, safety and ride quality is mind-boggling and almost sound like hyperbole.

Ground-breaking innovations in the Maybach saloons include the Sensotronic Brake Control and electrohydraulic braking system, AIRMATIC DC (dual control) electronically controlled air suspension, LINGUATRONIC voice-controlled operation, the COMAND APS control and display system and the TELEAID emergency call system.

A range of exquisite materials — including depending on the model variant up to 78 masterfully-designed and hand-crafted fine wood trim elements — is available to adorn the inside.

Unparalleled personalised interior comfort

The impressive spaciousness of the 2.68-metre-long interior is complemented by excellent seat comfort, low noise levels and highly-efficient climate control to offer the occupants of the high-end saloon an outstanding driving experience. Leg space at the rear in the Maybach is a humungous three feet plus, or nearly a metre. The Maybach's luggage compartment is, therefore, big enough to accommodate five large suitcases or four golf bags.

Inside, everything that the discerning driver and passenger need in terms of entertainment, communications and comfort is fitted as standard in the Maybach Saloons: From the DVD player and TV receiver to a refrigerator compartment and cordless telephone with two handsets. And this range of standard equipment also leaves ample scope for individuality, a sign of the luxury car brand's commitment to developing the tradition handed down over generations.

With the wide-ranging selection of standard and optional equipment, there are over two million different ways in which Maybach customers can personalise the design and fittings of their high-end luxury saloon. The scope for individualisation is further expanded with a range of high-quality accessories developed specifically for the Maybach, from a made-to-measure luggage set to a Sterling silver champagne flute, from a humidor to a golf bag.

Maybach customers can also have their personal stamp put on the interiors, with a choice of six shades of "grand nappa" leather, plus three types of high-quality exotic wood veneers, while the paintwork is available in 17 colour shades, which can also be combined to create a two-tone finish — another hallmark of the Maybach. When it comes to tailoring the saloon's technical equipment to the customers' individual tastes or requirements, Maybach offers a total of around two dozen extras. These include exclusive Mercedes innovations for even greater comfort such as the distronic proximity control, keyless-go and active seat ventilation. Almost everything in the Maybach's interior works at the touch of a button, including the doors that close automatically at the flick of a switch. What is more, it even features an intelligent system to hold securely a champagne bottle and glasses.

Other standard features include a DVD player and CD changer (for six CDs) which can be found in the centre console between the rear seats. The latest electronic entertainment technology in the shape of a newly-developed Bose Surround Everywhere sound system takes the centrestage in the new Maybach models. The interior of the luxury saloon can, thus, effectively be converted into a mobile concert hall, where each of the four passengers enjoys the pleasure of digital Dolby surround-sound. The business package includes a notebook PC, printer and mobile Internet access available as an option.

A colour inkjet printer and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) can be ordered, and these peripherals also benefit from a wireless network connection via the Bluetooth system.

Surprisingly powerful and nimble engine

The new Maybach engine is a showcase of DaimlerChrysler's experience and expertise in the development, construction and manufacture of 12-cylinder power units. The 5.5-litre biturbo Maybach engine develops 405 kw (543 bhp) of maximum power and offers a peak torque of 900 Newton metres at as low down as 2,300 rpm. The "Type 12" powerplant, thus, ensures that the cars are able to rise to any driving situation with the ease and authority you expect of the Maybach.

Further, the twin turbochargers aspirate the twelve-cylinder engine so efficiently that the driver is able to mobilise the enormous power at very low revs.

A muscular 622 Nm of torque is already on tap at 1,500 rpm, the 800 Nm mark is reached at 1,800 rpm and from 2,300 rpm, the power unit generates its peak torque of 900 Nm. For a car this size, the Maybach 62 accelerates from 0 to 100 km per hour in 5.4 seconds, while the engine's prodigious torque powers it on from 60 to 120 km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

Ten airbags

To provide the maximum safety, in addition to a sophisticated body structure and aluminium door panels, the outstanding safety technology of the high-end luxury car also includes a total of 10 airbags, two adaptive airbags with two-stage gas generators for the front passengers, plus four sidebags and two large windowbags on either side of the interior.

The three-point seat belts with automatic comfort-fit, high-performance belt tensioners and belt force limiters are integrated into the seats and can, therefore, provide their full protection at all times, regardless of the seat position. Airbags deploy depending on the severity of the accident.

For enhanced active safety, credit must go to the innovative Sensotronic Brake Control braking system developed by Mercedes-Benz, which is fitted in the Maybach with a central control unit, two high-pressure accumulators and two hydraulic units. This means that each saloon has a total of eight brake circuits. On the front axle, internally-ventilated brake discs each with two callipers provide reliable deceleration.

Steeped in history

The original Maybachs were designed and manufactured by the founders, the father and son duo of Wilhelm Maybach and Karl Maybach.

Wilhelm Maybach, who is credited with designing the modern day form of the automobile, was the pioneer of luxury cars and came up with the first Maybachs in the 1920s and the 1930s. Mercedes-Benz resurrected this luxury brand nearly 60 years after the production of the original was discontinued. The new Maybach is built at the "Manufaktur" production facility, part of the DaimlerChrysler works at Sindelfingen, Germany. Every Maybach is commissioned, personalised and produced according to the specific demands and likes of the buyer ordering it and DaimlerChrysler keeps in personal touch with each of them.

Are you looing for one?

Indians too are passionate about royalty and heritage, but will there be takers for this car that will cost nearly Rs 6 crore ($1.33 million) on road in India?

Going by what DaimlerChrysler India has to say, apparently there are! After all, this is the land of the maharajahs. It does not matter whether they got their billions (or is it crores) from a bequest or from selling their stock options.

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