There are few cars more luxurious than a Mercedes S-Class. Except, that is, one from within the Daimler Group itself. And this is it – the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, a car that combines the style and technology of the big Merc with the exclusive touches of the ultra-luxury Maybach brand.

The Merc-Maybach is available with a Chauffeur package, which gives an indication of just how high up the exclusivity ladder the car is pitched, and there are all manner of tweaks, touches and features that make this sedan a pretty special vehicle.

While its debt to the Merc is obvious in its appearance, there are plenty of indications – the grille, the distinctive bonnet, wider rear doors, illuminated brand logos and an optional two-tone paint finish – that this is not your run-of-the mill S-Class.

And while the interior takes its cues from the new S-Class interior design too, there’s more exclusive touches here. Available features include the Seating Comfort package Rear which includes multi-contour seats, various massage programs, and neck/shoulder heating. There are tables and footrests too, and an optional, removable, refrigerated compartment in the rear armrest plus a stowage compartment to hold silver-plated champagne goblets.

Technology via the MBUX Interior Assist system means the Maybach can recognise the intentions of occupants – including, the company claims, eye direction, hand gestures and body language – with the help of cameras.

Given the ultra-luxury nature of the Maybach, the potential for irritating road noise has been tackled via extended NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) measures that include additional absorbent foam in the rear wheel arches, fixed quarterlights in the C-pillars with thicker laminated glass, and noise-optimised tyres with foam absorbers. Active road noise compensation is also being used for the first time. The system reduces low-frequency noise by using ‘counter-phased sound waves’ that cancel out unwanted sound waves.

Improved safety comes from advanced driver assistance features that can adapt the vehicle speed and control distance, steering and lane-changing and also includes features such as Attention Assist. There are airbags just about everywhere – seat cushion airbags; kneebags; side and window airbags; and inflatable belt straps that spread the incoming force over a wider area – and a Pre-Safe system that can move seats to more favourable position during ‘critical driving situations’.

What will power the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is not certain as yet. The company says only that the engines will ‘comes from the Mercedes-Benz portfolio’, but that does mean the monster 6-litre V12 may be in the mix.

Whatever the case, the big names that populate the very top end of the uber-luxury market have got a serious competitor on their hands.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (December 2020/January 2021).

4 January 2021