More news on the Maybach 57 S for the handful of people who might actually buy one of these ultra-luxury models from Mercedes-Benz Canada when it arrives next spring after its mid-September launch at the Frankfurt auto show.
Maybach sales have never met expectations in the three years it's been around, so Mercedes-Benz has tried to develop a car with what it calls "dynamic perfection."
To do this, the Stuttgart firm has once again turned to its AMG tuner division for some help juicing up a car, and the result is a luxury sedan that will go from 0 to 100 kmh in of five seconds, which is a considerable accomplishment for a car that weighs 3260 kg.
Mercedes was able to wring that kind of acceleration out of the new 57 S (which stands for Spezial in German, and you can probably figure out the English translation) by taking the existing 6-litre bi-turbo V-12 and tuning it so that it develops 612 hp and something in the neighborhood of 740 lb-ft of torque.
Even though that kind of launch is the only legal thrill Canadians will be able to get from the Maybach 57 S, Stuttgart went to some trouble making it handle better. This was accomplished by using "a firmer suspension set-up which ensures that it is able to transfer this formidable power to the road sure-footedly without compromising the extremely high level of ride comfort which is one of the hallmarks of the Maybach luxury saloons.
This has all been done, Mercedes claims, in an effort to "respond to the wishes of demanding customers for even greater engine output and agility." Thus, the Maybach 57 S is supposed to be "the ideal high-end
luxury saloon for enthusiastic owner-drivers seeking the very latest high-performance technology implemented in a manner which embodies the perfection characteristic of the brand."
To make sure everyone knows you aren't just driving the regular old Maybach 57 (which is the shorter of the two Maybach models), Stuttgart also created a unique exterior appearance.
The design highlights were chosen to emphasize the car's dynamic character, Mercedes says. These highlights include an exclusive monochrome colour scheme featuring special black or silver paint finishes, a modified front section with an enhanced radiator grille and revised light units, a discreet "57 S" legend on the front wing below the A-pillar and on the trunk lid, and "striking" 20-inch spoke wheels.
Mercedes says the "highly distinctive and exclusive tone is maintained inside the vehicle, where a carefully balanced combination of piano lacquer and carbon elements -- especially in the areas within the driver's reach and immediate field of view -- creates an atmosphere of dynamic elegance.
Also on display at Frankfurt is a model that "illustrates the exceptional scope for individualization offered by the brand." That would be the version of a Maybach 57 S for which the specialists at the "Manufaktur" have developed a paint finish identical to that of the Maybach "Zeppelin" model of 1933.
If that's not enough to wrinkle your interest, the new car also the same interior appointments and chassis number as the old car, and they both belong to the same owner.
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| (Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG) |
To do this, the Stuttgart firm has once again turned to its AMG tuner division for some help juicing up a car, and the result is a luxury sedan that will go from 0 to 100 kmh in of five seconds, which is a considerable accomplishment for a car that weighs 3260 kg.
Mercedes was able to wring that kind of acceleration out of the new 57 S (which stands for Spezial in German, and you can probably figure out the English translation) by taking the existing 6-litre bi-turbo V-12 and tuning it so that it develops 612 hp and something in the neighborhood of 740 lb-ft of torque.
Even though that kind of launch is the only legal thrill Canadians will be able to get from the Maybach 57 S, Stuttgart went to some trouble making it handle better. This was accomplished by using "a firmer suspension set-up which ensures that it is able to transfer this formidable power to the road sure-footedly without compromising the extremely high level of ride comfort which is one of the hallmarks of the Maybach luxury saloons.
This has all been done, Mercedes claims, in an effort to "respond to the wishes of demanding customers for even greater engine output and agility." Thus, the Maybach 57 S is supposed to be "the ideal high-end
 |
| (Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG) |
To make sure everyone knows you aren't just driving the regular old Maybach 57 (which is the shorter of the two Maybach models), Stuttgart also created a unique exterior appearance.
The design highlights were chosen to emphasize the car's dynamic character, Mercedes says. These highlights include an exclusive monochrome colour scheme featuring special black or silver paint finishes, a modified front section with an enhanced radiator grille and revised light units, a discreet "57 S" legend on the front wing below the A-pillar and on the trunk lid, and "striking" 20-inch spoke wheels.
Mercedes says the "highly distinctive and exclusive tone is maintained inside the vehicle, where a carefully balanced combination of piano lacquer and carbon elements -- especially in the areas within the driver's reach and immediate field of view -- creates an atmosphere of dynamic elegance.
 |
| (Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG) |
If that's not enough to wrinkle your interest, the new car also the same interior appointments and chassis number as the old car, and they both belong to the same owner.