Maybach 57 - the pinnacle of luxury
The term "luxury" in the context of this car takes on a whole new meaning. When a concept called the Mercedes Maybach was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997, discussions resurfaced about the feasibility of resurrecting the iconic German brand.
Maybach Manufaktur, the division of Daimler responsible for the production of super limousines with powerful V12 engines, and later tanks, Maybach tried to return to the showrooms. The new Maybach - obscenely expensive, unexpectedly dynamic, contrary to ecology and animal rights (various types of animal skins are used for interior trim), was proposed. However, in 2002, the Maybach 57 saw the light of day, reviving its legend. However, is he successful?
The manufacturer himself admits in hindsight that the demand for the car has not reached the level that he expected. Why? In fact, no one can answer this seemingly simple question. Someone will say that the price has decided. Well, Maybach's target group is people who earn before breakfast more than the average Pole can earn in a lifetime. Therefore, a price exceeding two, three, four or even 33 million zlotys should not be an obstacle for them. In any case, it is unofficially said that the most expensive Maybach sold so far cost 43 million… dollars. So what?
Maybach, marked with the symbol 57, as the name suggests, is over 5.7 meters long. The interior is almost two meters wide and offers a huge amount of space. It’s not worth talking about the spaciousness of the cabin, because in a car with a wheelbase close to 3.4 m, it simply cannot be crowded. If this is not enough, then you can decide to buy the model 62, as the name suggests, 50 cm longer. Then the distance between the axles is almost 4 meters!
Unofficially, the 57 is said to be the choice of people who want to drive their own Maybach, while the extended 62 is dedicated to those who entrust this task to the driver and sit in the back seat themselves. Well, whether in the back berths or in the front seat, traveling in a Maybach is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
The manufacturer swears that the Maybach can be equipped with just about anything a potential buyer can think of. Gold wheels, diamond trim - in the case of this car, the creative imagination of the buyer is not limited by anything. Well, maybe not so much - with a budget.
Under the huge hood, one of two engines can work: a 5.5-liter twelve-cylinder with a double supercharger or a power of 550 hp. or a six-liter V12 made by AMG with 630 hp. (Maybach 57 S). The “basic” unit, which produces 900 Nm of maximum torque, accelerates the car to the first hundred in just 5 seconds, and the maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km / h. The version with the AMG unit accelerates to ... 16 km / h in less than 200 seconds, and its torque is electronically limited to 1000 Nm!
A car weighing almost three tons, thanks to the air suspension, does not move along the roads, but soars above them. Excellent cabin soundproofing prevents almost any external noise from entering the ears of passengers. At high speeds of 150 and more than 200 km/h Maybach behaves like a Queen Mary 2 in the open ocean. A good climate during the trip is provided, including a refrigerated bar with the best drinks, an advanced audio-video center with liquid crystal screens in front of passengers, seats with a massage function and, in general, all the achievements of modern technology that the buyer wishes to have on board the car he orders.
There is only one universal recipe for a super-luxury car - it should be the way the client wants it. The Maybach more than meets that criteria, and yet it hasn't generated as much interest as the manufacturer had hoped for. Why? The answer to this question should probably be sought among the buyers of competing cars. They certainly know very well why they did not choose Maybach.
