Those who do know the Maybach name might also recognize the double-M insignia that DaimlerChrysler will bring back. Only, the letters now stand for Maybach Manufaktur rather than Maybach Motorenbrau.
In keeping with Maybach's past, each vehicle will be hand-crafted and custom-built to suit the customer "An unprecedented range of fine materials and paint choices as well as innovative technical features will be available," says Schrempp, "ranging from specially designed inlays to high-tech business equipment for the rear-seat passenger area."
In addition to what he calls "individuality, aesthetics and quality," Schrempp says the new luxury marque is aiming for technological leadership. "Maybach development is in the hands of top engineers at the Mercedes Technology Center in Sindelfingen, so the new car can benefit from a smooth transfer of expertise" As a result, the Maybach is "thus destined to exceed established Mercedes levels of quality in important areas such as safety, reliability and longevity."
Maybach customers will have either a short or long-wheelbase model to start with, and fewer than 10 units will be built each day, or about 1500 a year, most of which will go to North America, western Europe, and Japan.
A newly developed 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 will produce over 500 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, 90 percent of which is available at only 2,000 rpm