What is Maybach? Well, it’s a tricky question that you should set time aside to enable us to explain what it defines. And no, it’s not about the most luxurious and well-tailored vehicles created just for you. Instead, it’s the aura of grandeur. Indeed, this brand redefines what luxury means in our time and in many years to come.
When competitors like Bentley and Rolls-Royce go after the same high-profile clients, it turns into a combative warrior, a trait it has maintained throughout its long history of setbacks and rebirths.
Therefore, there are brands, and then there are superbrands. A superbrand is a luxury automotive brand that has transcended its niche market status to become a global household name.
Think of brands like Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, or Koenigsegg – each of which is a superbrand known for its premium products and first-class service. Superbrands like these command respect wherever they go and whatever they do because of their heritage, ethos, and values. They have an unmistakable presence that differentiates them from other car makers.
This article introduces Maybach’s history and its place in today’s automotive landscape.
Maybach History
In the auto world, a few truly old automakers still exist, and fewer are still bound to luxury, so when it comes to Maybach, we should pause for a moment or maybe more to know the big deal about this splendour.
After more than a centennial success, we need to shed light on the iconic brand.
The brand has its roots in Germany, going all the way back to the early 20th century.
Maybach was a manufacturer of luxury cars and was originally a joint venture between two German companies – DMG (Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft) and Benz & Cie.
It was named after the company’s founder, Wilhelm Maybach, a well-known engineer and designer of engines, when he laid the cornerstone for a legendary automaker.
It was manufactured for about a decade before being discontinued as DMG, and Benz & Cie parted ways. In the 1920s, a new car manufacturer was formed by merging two companies: Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH and Rheinische Automobilwerke AG.
The new company, Maybach-Automobile GmbH, was headquartered in the town of Friedrichshafen, Germany. It started out as a manufacturer of mid-sized luxury cars, and its first models were the Zeppelin Model 32 and the Zeppelin Model 38.
But let’s trace it back to the beginning of the brand.
1900
The roots of the British auto go back to 1900 when Maybach was working as a technical director of DMG with a companion of his long-time partner Gottlieb Daimler. This high-end automobile brand started with the “Daimler motor carriage”.
But it wasn’t something that derived his satisfaction. Instead, his ambition lay building perfect luxury cars signifying reliability, efficiency, and functionality.
During the same year, a prototype car was designed and assembled by these two companies, and it targeted wealthy individuals and heads of state. And it was the true beginning of Maybach.
This car, called the Mercedes 35 hp, was the first car ever to bear the “Maybach” name. But before that, the company introduced his fresh design at the 1889 World Fair in Paris.
1901
A year later, the German automaker created a real thing that made him proud after designing an outstanding car just after Daimler’s death. The vehicle brought glory quickly after participating in the Nice racing week in the same year.
The car obviously became iconic over the years among all vehicles designed by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. But we came across a new era as the carriage industry was forced to go away for good.
1909
Maybach’s son Karl followed his father’s suit and shared the same interests in automobiles. So, he joined “Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH” as a trainee at a very early age.
1919
Maybach’s attempts had just started, and he now wanted to celebrate his genius with an experimental car by focussing on the ambition of leading the luxury market— or being the best in the industry. So, inspired by W1, Karl and his father made another experimental car that included a chassis with a star.
The son’s talent was as extraordinary as his father- masterly invented a high-speed gearbox. This tendency for technical perfection established the charm of the brand and its highly discerning customers: someone who has got a bucket hat on his heart with a thick moustache, Blur are topping the charts, and combat boots on your feet.
In other words, bankers, top athletes and stars, emperors, kings, and entrepreneurs.
1920s
In 1921, another model introduced 22/70 HP W3, and it was a hit with smooth bodywork, 5 meter-long and 4 door. The inline six-cylinder motor was also remarkable, recording a top speed of 110 km/h, generating 70 hp, and a sophisticated planetary gearbox.
Not just that, it was equipped with a patented four-wheel brake system which was the first German ever to offer all this package. Moreover, the interior represented the same level of premium, furnished with wood and leather.
It had created a giant rave, but the company built only 300 of these inspiring sedans.
In the late 1920s, the modern Maybach tale expanded, but the company needed a new push to impress new customers. So, it debuted the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin, the innovative balloon-like airship, one of the most brilliant vehicles circumnavigating the world. Five Maybach V12 engines powered this early-plane model.
Then the automaker invented the DS7 to crown its accomplishment with a seven-litre V12 engine. Then it was followed by another enormous, DS8, with an eight-litre V12 and 200 horsepower outcome. It began with two versions, sedan and limo; after that, the carmaker offered a variety of ways, including two-door and cabriolet, blending the smoothness and ultra-luxury. Moreover, this chariot was backed with preselected gears which means exchanging cogs didn’t need a clutch.
During this time, the company defined a new concept in the industry; customers could optimise it depending on their needs.
These uniquely magnificent cars created a furore and got the better of Daimler’s primary rivals with a price tag that sometimes reached $3 million if they wanted to add some unique features.
1941
It was between 1921 and 1941 when the most refined Mercedes production debuted under the name of Maybach, even though the war was ravaging Europe.
1960
During the Second World War, the company was forced to stop its production, and it couldn’t resume it again even after being run by Daimler-Benz.
1990s
At the end of the 1990s, the British brand was still struggling in shambles, and two of its rivals, Bentley and Rolls-Royce, broke into the market, with six-digit sedans attracting a vast part of the segment.
Suddenly, Mercedes found itself outside any game, looking in at profits generated by new designs and catering on which its capital should have anchored.
But the German legend awoke to a new era.
2000s
This resurgence happened when Daimler AG introduced an impressive car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2002, unparalleled and state-of-art vehicles that have been stolen thunder by all competitors.
The automaker introduced the Maybach 62, the 57 and the Landaulet – a convertible limousine. They were a recession-proof profit to push its entire economy. From this period, the company successfully draws those whose bank accounts are just like the granite bedrock.
57 was a standard model offered for $300,000 as a luxury sedan on which rear passengers enjoyed staying at a typical salon featuring fabric curtains and a minifridge to bring their fresh drinks. It defines the style and status of a premium model in the automotive industry. This sedan was the inspiration for Mercedes-S class later.
The company’s economy rebounded, and booked seats at the same table as major players.
2005
The company has already used high-end material with the most detailed design, positioning itself as a dream car for all till today. But in 2005, the company had plans to expand and launched a new model, 57S, as “S” exemplifies “Special”.
And here we went, at the Geneva Motor Show, the German grand revealed a 6-litre engine and a 0-60 mph of less than 5s impressive car. This unbelievable car was beloved by many celebrities such as Samuel L. Jackson, Will Smith, and Kanye West. But, unfortunately, it became the car limited to A-list customers.
Thus, Daimler-Chrysler forecasted that roughly 2000 units would be sold in only the USA.
2006
The company manufactured a new vehicle, 62S, in China.
2007
As Maybach was forum around the world, the company needed to upgrade a new concept for its unique customers, a traditional chauffeur-style design, the 62 Landaulet with a sliding roof and a Biturbo V12 engine. It was a big hit with a price tag of around $1 million.
A number of rappers chose this car to puff off by this opulent car.
Yet, at the height of its champagne-popping, the company dropped.
But the brand suffered from a financial crisis between 2007-2008. That happened when management chose to shut down 29 stores in America due to a drop in sales that was unexpectedly steep. It could hardly sell only 164 cars between 2006-2008 in the USA, and this abysmal figure was set to get worse.
However, the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index showed that 531 millionaires worldwide voted for Maybach as the most prestigious luxury brand in the world, above rivals like Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
2010
The company was still in a lousy situation, and a crisis kicked the sales to only 157 units globally compared to 2,711 Rolls-Royce attained in the same year.
Critics followed this loss in the vision of Mercedes-Maybach and what it represented in its design philosophy. For example, an article published by Fortune magazine named its business plan “remarkably clumsy,” and the whole strategy of this iconic brand was a matter of months.
The report decried Daimler’s strategy to build a very hot, cool, and ultra-exclusive car at the same time with an ageing Mercedes wheelbase rather than making extra efforts to use innovative engines.
So, what did the company do?
The company needed to make an important step to respond to these critics by inviting journalists to test Maybach’s cars. But they were asked to stay in the backseat following the automaker’s behest as the German manufacturer often insisted that its cars were built to be driven in, not to go.
Thus, it wasn’t a fair experience, and critics resumed against the brand. Moreover, it suffered from another stigma; a dull and overpriced marque with almost no difference between Mercedes and Maybach models.
A plan B was ready to unveil another “Zeppelin” model with intelligent editions such as a classy interior, but the visual resemblance to the Zeppelin was obvious. So, the company still lost its success glow.
However, the passion behind Maybach has always driven designers to use the finest materials to craft several products to pamper its clients with iconic luxury masterpieces with exquisite and outstanding designs like eyewear, high-end handmade sunglasses and spectacles.
Characteristics of Maybach are intricately worked on leather bag collection and luxury handmade accessories.
Then, the luxurious brand created the most elegant form of bespoke saddlery and an exclusive range of utensils and home accessories.
This industry remains till now to add an extra dimension to an already luxury and uniqueness.
2011
The ultimate luxurious brand struggled again as the sales staggeringly shrank again to 44 below the 2010 figure.
So in November 2011, Daimler announced all Maybach production was stopped to leave room for its new edition, Mercedes-Benz S-Class models. At the same time, Mercedes failed to end a significant acquisition deal with Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
The German brand considered its S-Class range a sub-brand under the name of Maybach after halting all separate Maybach models. But the company kept the beauty and technoid look perfectly Mercedes-Maybach S600 alive by still offering its pioneering and opulent features such as a system to pump Agarwood scent, massage seats, and 3D surround sound.
2014
After fully reemerging between Mercedes and Maybach, the German carmaker logo has been added to all spruced-up Maybach automobiles with extra customisation options.
2016
The company introduced its all-new model, Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, as a way to revive its laurels with a minimised bodywork and a coupe design. Yes, the brand never surrenders, and every time you think it would be the end, they are ready to unlock limitations with an uncanny knack for survival.
Until now, Mercedes-Maybach remains a sub-brand that creates Mercedes vehicles synonymous with comfort and luxury with a new dimension adding to an already exclusive range.
The German brand has to adopt a new philosophy, mirroring recent trends to fulfil new needs and fill gaps left by the highest bidders. This new philosophy was inspired by a famous maxim belonging to Mercedes, “To create the very best from the very best.”
Maybach Logo
The defunct German manufacturer created its logo in 1909, maintaining the whole concept till 2003 with minor differences in font and size.
After existing as a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, the primary logo of the Maybach edition carries the Mercedes logo with the Maybach badge, whatever is on the edge of its body or rear. Also, the front comes with “Maybach” letters on the bonnet or above a pinstripe grille.
Here is the short history of Maybach logo updates.
1909 – 1997
Featuring the double M standing for Maybach Motorenbau, the first logo was exactly the same symbol with the same lines as the current emblem.
The difference was established in the colour palette to reflect a brighter look, painted in green. Its luxury cars hold the geometric monogram and the complete wordmark along the bottom line. Otherwise, the background featured in a brick-yellow shade. They came up with this combination as it was scarce and chic to stand out against all brand competitors.
1997 – 2013
The traditional brand colour scheme turned black and yellow with only one line and the same yellow background. The wordmark was removed entirely.
2013 – current
Today, Maybach is a part of Mercedes-Benz Group, so it should reflect the same identity. Accordingly, the German automaker updated the logo with a black and silver scheme on a gold background. But because of technological development and as it has been published on different platforms, the emblem is crafted in silver metal with a delicate and layered pattern, which becomes an example of timeless elegance.
Sweeping dark lines, the official Maybach badge now features a clean medium-weight typeface with straight bars of the wordmark, adding volume and gloss to any cars under this top-end classy category.
Who is Wilhelm Maybach?
Born in Heilbronn, a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on February 9, 1846, Wilhelm Maybach was an extraordinary kid growing up with his five siblings. He grew up in a middle-class household, the son of a carpenter and a housewife.
Early Life and Education
After a few years, his family relocated from Löwenstein to Stuttgart when Wilhelm was eight. This city would become the heart of the automobile industry in German, where Maybach got his start in the technical field by enrolling in a vocational school.
At age ten, he became an orphan, so he was sent to a Christan philanthropic education institution in Reilingen under the leadership of Gustav Werner, theologian and educationist.
Werner recognised Maybach’s aptitude and encouraged him to pursue it by helping him to enrol in engineering workshops.
In 1861, Maybach wanted to pursue a profession by designing something independently when he was just 15 years old. So, he enrolled in supplementary to hone his skills in physics and maths in Reutlingen public high school. And he quickly became a certified designer executing stationary engines.
At the age of 19, Maybach joined Gottlieb Daimler’s workshop. Due to his unusual gift, the manager hired him as a principal assistant and a collaborator to take the first step in his professional life.
Maybach became a devoted friend of Daimler until his death.
After that, the youngest talented engineer accompanied Daimler at Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft Karlsruhe, a giant locomotive maker in Karlsruhe, in 1869. Daimler was a member of the executive committee, where they spent many nights collecting parts and building engines, machinery, and metalworking innovations.
In 1872, Daimler relocated to the Deutz engine company, the world’s largest stationary gas engine producer at the time, where the part-owner, Nicolaus Otto, focussed on engine development with Mabacn and Daimler.
Thanks to his deviation and talent, Maybach was hired as the company’s chief designer.
Career
In 1878, Maybach’s genius would result in wonder for the first time, creating the Otto cycle engine, emerging intake compression power and exhaust strokes.
The outcome was impressive, a four-stroke circle gas internal combustion engine. This engine contained more than 25 patents! Yes, it was a revolutionary machine.
After that, Maybach and Daimler were ready to build their high-speed engine based on the same idea. In the middle of 1882, Daimler left Gasmotorenfabrik Deutz to pursue his dream of creating a lightweight, gasoline-powered automobile that could be used in any environment.
Then in October of the same year, Wilhelm Maybach resigned and joined Daimler to Cannstatt to design their long-waiting engine, which would be high-speed internal combustion and lightweight.
Both engineers gave encouragement to each other while they conducted extensive research. Then Maybach came across a vital patent by the Englishman Watson, who recognised an unregulated hot-tube ignition system. Maybach knew this system was a precondition for building a higher-speed engine.
So, he went to his fellow to tell him about his discovery; a few weeks later, in 1883, Maybach developed the first horizontal engine. He named his experimental machine Grandfather Clock, an engine with a vertical cylinder ready for a car’s installation.
In 1885, they constructed the forerunner of a modern gasoline engine which they installed later in a tow-wheeler vehicle, the first internal combustion motorbike, followed by a stagecoach and a boat in the subsequent year.
But it didn’t something make Maybach so satisfied; actually, he didn’t come this far only to build engines for coaches. So, the two gentlemen worked on developing this Grandfather Clock to construct a real steel-wheeled car. And this vehicle was the first machine introduced by Maybach, which became a gearwheel innovation in automotive engineering.
Maybach’s technical talent was the cornerstone of transportation in the 20th century. And his inventions in the 19th century were already regarded by the globe as some of the finest automobiles.
Maybach shared his design with the world public at the World Fair in Paris in 1889. In the years afterwards, he’s amassed a reputation as the King of Design.
Moreover, Maybach moved to France, where he was partly responsible for the facility for the French motor development.
The German headmaster was recognised as the backbone of the industry, where he inspired many French entrepreneurs to start new projects to build notable machines.
Beginning of DMG
In 1890, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach ultimately decided to establish their own business, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft or Daimler-Motor-corporation in English (DMG).
Daimler founded his factory on Seelberg hill, Cannstatt, after the Karlsruhe mayor objected to granting the businessman permission to set up his facility. In Ludwig route 67, Daimler worked on his project to make it more recognisable and hired Maybach as Chief Engineer. Daimler handled the business difficulties while designs were assigned to Maybach.
This factory coasted around 30 200 GoldMarks, the currency of the German empire during this time, and covered roughly 2,903-metre squares.
Daimler’s institution was huge enough to hire more than 23 employees in different roles.
After a few months, they introduced the first car under the name of Daimler Motorized Carriage, an internal combustion vehicle with less than one horsepower and four wheels with the appearance of a stagecoach powered by a midship Grandfather Clock engine.
The carriage made speeds of less than 20 miles per hour.
This vehicle didn’t achieve remarkable success compared to other machines by Daimler, even though it was one of the most important automobiles created during the late 19th century.
But what about funds? Indeed, this achievement wasn’t enough to keep the company going because neither the engine sales nor the money generated by their patent didn’t bring sufficient earnings to invest in developing their inventions.
So, they decided to sell their patented engine and take the company to the public. Two business people and weapons makers were watching what happened around them, and once the company allowed people to purchase stock, they conducted the deal.
Those two men are Max Duttenhofer and Wilhelm Lorenz, who were affiliated with Kilian von Steiner, a German banker and industrialist.
In November 1890, the corporation was re-established. However, German historians referred to this pact as an agreement with the devil as it created chaos in Daimler and Maybach’s factory.
However, DMG continued to sell its engine to Russia and New York. Then, the company added a stationary engine to expand production. But it wasn’t hard to make profits from building autos during this time. So, in February 1891, Maybach left the company due to unfair employment contract terms.
A year later, Maybach worked on his design on his own. And in the fall of 1892, he succeeded in persuading his friend, Daimler, to finance him. At the Hermann Hotel in Cannstatt, Maybach built significant designs such as the Phoenix engine and the spray-nozzle carburettor. He also produced detailed adjustments to the belt drive.
Daimler badly wanted his friend to return to his company, so he summoned the English industrialist Frederick Simms to go to Maybach and convinced him to join DMG as Chief Engineer. And that was what happened in November 1895.
Maybach proved his talent again and produced the tubular radiator with a ventilator, later developing it to be a honeycomb radiator. All of these were nothing compared to his technical masterpiece, which was his dream at a very early stage. The King of Designers created the first four-cylinder auto engine.
A year later, especially between 1898 and 1899, the talented German designer developed a new engine generation in five models, from 6 PS (4 kW) to 23 PS (17 kW). They were wonders.
Hence, a gentleman, Emile Jelanik, a successful Austrian racing driver and dealer, heard about Maybach’s genius and craftsmanship. So he signed a contract with DMG to buy 36 cars for 550,000 GoldMarks if Maybach designed a magnificent racing car based on his talent and specification.
In 1900, especially between April and October, Maybach designed an entirely new type of racing car, Mercedes 35 Horsepower, which was introduced in March 1901 at the Nice Week. And it was designed to win a series of races after previewing in France.
The car attracted many racers, and it was sold many times by European high society achieving a commercial success that purchased DMG managers that this type of auto had a great future.
Thanks to Maybach’s high-speed design, DMG expanded in size and number of people as sales jumped dramatically.
During this, Daimler died, which caused an emotional time for Maybach, but he was determined to finish what he and his loyal companion started in the last century.
This car was surprisingly different from any other vehicle built by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft because it put an end to the era of a stagecoach.
In June 1902, DMG officially registered the Mercedes trademark. The cooperation between Daimler company and Mercedes resulted in successful cars.
However, Maybach was struggling with the style of management where several intrigues were carried on behind the scene. It began with demoting and replacing him with Ferdinand von Zeppelin as Chief Engineer and minimising his activities in the invention department. Ferdinand von Zeppelin was the designer of the Zeppelin LZ1 airship.
But Maybach was busy creating something else, building a 150-horsepower unit with the assistance of his son, Karl.
But, in 1907, Maybach left DMG after he realised that it was a deadlock.
During this, DMG successfully sold Zeppelin LZ3 and LZ4 to the government. However, in 1908, LZ4 exploded, causing a dangerous accident against people and a row of trees; after attempting an emergency landing. But the company wanted to develop the engine to provide a new edition of the balloon airship. So, DMG launched a donation campaign collecting 6.25 million GoldMarks.
The company needed to resume the project under the name of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin to handle the project better.
However, Maybach could not join the new company because of his ongoing legal fight against DMG, so he advised his son to take his position.
Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau-GmbH
In 1909, Maybach joined Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau-GmbH in Bissingen to build a new and better engine for airships as a technical assistant, and Karl Maybach was appointed as technical manager of the company.
In 1912, the company moved to Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, and Karl introduced his innovative engine with a top speed of 72km/h.
After WW1
The Treaty of Versailles, signed at the end of World War I in 1919, strictly prohibited Germany from making airships. So, Luftfahrzeug was forced to halt its line. So, Maybach and his son shifted their focus to automotive engineering for naval and railroad applications, building gasoline engines but not full autos.
Like most of the world, Germany struggled with resources shortage. So, many minor german auto cars adopted building engines for cost consideration. Only one company, Spyker, was interested in Maybach engines, but Maybach rejected the contract owing to its terms. So, instead, he agreed to build the whole autos.
Beginning of Maybach Brand
In 1921, Spyker’s factory started to build Maybach limousines which could be the real beginning of the Maybach brand, the Maybach 22/70 PS (W 3). It was a joint work between Karl Maybach and his father, and the production remained until 1928.
This car recived appraisal from the media and the public since it came up with high-quality standards with new technical features, delivering 70hp at 2200 rpm. Plus, the chassis alone cost 24,000 ReichMarks, the official currency during this time, with an additional 15,000 to 25,000 ReichMarks depending on customisation and the type of body.
Okay, what did this mean?
To give you a sense of the scale of how Maybach cars were built for only high-profile customers, keep in mind that the average pay in 1924 in Germany was roughly 1,233 ReichMarks! So, yes, you needed to be so wealthy (or a member of Peaky Blinders’ gang!) to have Maybach’s car, just like today.
However, the most impressive Maybach’s work was in 1932 by laying the groundwork for
Maybach Ds8 Zeppelin, a car completed after Maybach’s death.
The End
On December 29 1929, Wilhelm Maybach passed away. Till the last year of his life, Maybach was part of many notable projects, such as the LZ 127 “Graf Zeppelin” airship’s military around the world, which was run by Maybach’s twelve-cylinder engines.
What Did Happen After Wilhelm Maybach’s Death?
Maybach Motorenbau continued under the leadership of Kral Maybach. All of Myabach’s cars’ production remained until 1941.
Still, almost all engines of tanks and half tanks were built by Maybach company for military purposes to support forces on the frontline during WW2— even the most popular German heavy tanks such as Panter 1, Tiger 1, and Tiger 11 were designed and collected by Maybach.
After the war due to limitations and stripping of industrial capacity after the war, Maybach couldn’t resume its diesel engine production until 1945.
During this, the company faced severe competition from Daimler-Benz AG after the latter introduced fresh and inspiring models such as the Mercedes-Benz “Nürburg”, the 500 K/540 K models, and the model 770 “Grand Mercedes.”
So, the company had to make a significant move in turn by setting standards during this period. But both companies, Maybach and Daimler, had one common factor, satisfying the wishes of private customers with exclusive, unique, and comfortable vehicles offering unrivalled experience.
Each unit represented outstanding features in terms of quality, technology, design, and equipment.
In 1960, Daimler purchased Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH, including all its trademark rights, when Maybach built a massive engine under a licencing deal. At that time, the extensive engine division was significant.
During this time, Daimler was acquired and emerged as Mercedes-Benz. However, the name Maybach disappeared till 1998, when Mercedes decided to use its name for an ultra-luxury line.
Maybach & Mercedes
After its acquisition, Mercedes used celebrities in their newborn luxury lines, such as Ulrich Schmid-Maybach and Nick Faldo, to advertise new unique cars.
In 2002, DaimlerChrysler AG introduced a new model under Maybach flagships, 240 Maybach 62 and Maybach 57 luxury saloons putting a standard at the pinnacle of the auto industry.
In 2008, the company debuted the Maybach 62 S Landaulet, and the Zeppelin was introduced to the public with a limited edition— only 100 units.
Owing to a shortfall in sales, Mercedes conducted a thorough review with the help of Aston Martin to build a new strategy in terms of engineering capacity and designs.
But in 2011, Daimler announced that Maybach would no longer be one of those technology-exporting brands starting in 2013.
Later, Dieter Zetsche, the former CEO of Daimler, announced that Maybach would be phased out in 2012 to make way for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
Until 2013, Maybach limousines were still being sold, but the term “Maybach” was no longer used.
A year later, while Mercedes was celebrating its class-world premium S-class model, the company revived “Maybach” as a sub-brand of Mercedes, positing as an upscale counterpart of the exclusive AMG sportive line.
In 2015, Mercedes revealed its new Maybach edition, S 600 Pullman, at several automobile events in Los Anglos, Chain’s Guangzhou, and California. And a year later, the German automaker came up with the S 600 Pullman Guard with an optimised protection system.
Admittedly, the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has impressed the world since 2020 with model series 223. But, then, Mercedes-Maybach introduced a new elegant design, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC, representing an exclusive car range of 12 l/100 km with a unique level of comfort and cutting-edge technology.
Just a Maybach badge on your car side is still regarded as one of the finest automobiles ever— on the basis of being highly represented in almost every aspect of luxury cars.
Top 10 Maybach Iconic Cars
We have already previewed a bunch of Maybach’s most iconic cars. But as they are really unique, we created this guide broadly applied to what this company built with high-end features and exquisite styling cues.
Maybach DS8 Zeppelin (1931)
One of the most iconic Maybach cars of the 20th century. The Maybach DS8 Zeppelin was a car that was ahead of its time. This distinguished car had an 8-litre v12 engine resulting in 149 kilowatts, 200 brake horsepower at 3200 rpm, and a top speed of 171km/h, which was the most powerful auto in the world in its day.
With an impressive lightweight, Maybach DS8 Zeppelin was an engineering brilliance reflecting Count Zeppelin’s and Maybach’s hard work to give the world a gift representing a high-speed car with inspiring standards.
The most notable feature was its independent suspension, allowing a smoother ride.
Mercedes Maybach SW38 Roadster (1938)
Due to DS8 Zeppelin’s success, Maybach had prepared itself for a long to this moment, designing something reflecting the identity and concept behind the marque. That’s why the Mercedes-Maybach SW38 Roadster was one of the most well-renowned cars during the 1930s. Also, it’s one of the smallest models by Maybach, which always wants to show up with perfectly crafted lengthy bodywork. Powered by a 3.8-litre 6-cylinder engine producing 140HP and at the top speeds of 100mph and above, this car represented a new revolution in terms of speed and luxury. Moreover, it carried the performance benchmark of this period. The powerplant was involved in the innovative aero engine paired with a DSG 4-speed transmission.
This model featured elegant and classy interior wood trim with an entire digitised dashboard using the latest technologies of the day.
Maybach SW38 Roadster is a blend of function and luxury, resulting in a new level of stylish and quality.
Maybach 57 (2005)
Maybach 57 is a super luxury car that offers both style and comfort. Maybach 57 is powered by a 5.5-litre dual-turbo V12 engine, so it’s an absolute beast under its hood, producing 543 horsepower, which is enough to push the vehicle to the top speed in just 4.9 seconds.
The car also packs 664 pound-feet of torque, making it the fastest sedan car compared to many small sports coupes of its day. As a result, the car was so popular that it quickly became one of the most sought-after vehicles on the market.
The car’s interior was also very luxurious, with leather seats and an infotainment system ahead of its time.
But its price tag made the Maybach 57 stand out from other cars on the market. When it was first introduced, the base price for the car was $1 million. For many people, this made the Maybach 57 out of reach.
Maybach 62 (2000)
Introduced at the 2000 Auto China, Maybach 62 is one of the iconic cars throughout history. Maybach produced this luxurious from 2002 to 2013. The Maybach 62 has symbolised the most exacting demands for decades due to its quality, comfy, and luxury. It’s a longer-wheelbase model, with an impressive design and a sophistication touch still found worldwide.
It was priced at $423,500 and featured a V12 engine that produced 542 hp. The vehicle could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5 seconds and had a top speed of 250 Km/h.
The Maybach 62 was one of the quietest cars on the market. The car’s sound system used active noise cancellation to ensure that passengers could enjoy a peaceful ride.
Despite its high price tag and luxurious features, the Maybach 62 was not a successful car. In 2012, less than 200 units were sold worldwide, and production ceased the following year.
Mercedes Maybach Exelero (2004)
The Mercedes Maybach Exelero is a one-of-a-kind car. It was created as a one-off project for Fulda Tires in 2004, which needed a vehicle that could reach 217mph (350km) for their driver Klaus Ludwig. Exelero remained the only one in the world. The Exelero is a massive car, measuring over 21 feet long and weighing nearly 4 tons. It has a 5.9-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine that produces an incredible 690 horsepower and can reach speeds of up to 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
So, it came with high performance with a top speed of 218 mph. Besides its unique technical concept, the car was streamlined with a smooth aerodynamic appearance standing on 23-inch wheels. Its tires were designed to get along with this superpower speed, weight, and particle dimensions and boost the car’s comfort, stability, and safety.
The leather interior was also exceptional, with a lot of luxury embedded in the styling elements and technology. Only exclusive materials, including carbon fibre and aluminium, were used to create this masterpiece offering a blend of sport and luxury concepts— because it’s a sports coupe with a high-end limousine.
After that, Ludwig took Exelero to Italy’s streets in 2005 with Fulda tires recording a remarkable speed of 351.45km/h, setting a new standard for limousines.
The Exelero is genuinely a unique automobile, and its story is just as fascinating as the car itself.
Note: If the name looks familiar, it is because musician Birdman ordered his $8 million Exelero.
62 Landaulet (2008)
Inspired by 62S, 62 Landaulet was one of the epic masterpieces by the German manufacturer with a classic touch that brought us to the classic car body. This design was so popular during the 1920s and 1930s, but it was never seen again until 2008, adding an advantage to Maybach 62 Landaulet and becoming even more in demand than ever.
Maybach released the 62 Landaulet, a luxury vehicle powered by a Biturbo 6.0-litre V12 engine that was notoriously loud, producing 604 hp. The Landaulet was the most costly Maybach at over $1 million.
The vehicle was limited to 200 units and sold to an elite clientele. With its roomy cabin, high-end sound system, and retractable glass roof, the Landaulet was conceived as the pinnacle of luxury automobile design. In addition, the Landaulet’s top speed of 155 mph made it competitive with the fastest cars in its class.
The Landaulet was only produced for two years because of reliability concerns, despite its state-of-art amenities and strong performance. Not to mention the car’s look was stylish and eye-catching. The lavishly appointed interior embraced two different colours in the front and back seats, contributing to this Maybach car’s popularity.
Mercedes Maybach BRABUS SV12r Biturbo 800 (2010)
The Mercedes Maybach BRABUS SV12r Biturbo 800 made a lot of noise. And it deserves all this talk, dubbed the world’s most powerful sedan. It has a top speed of almost 217 mph, making it one of the fastest automobiles available. However, it is also extremely rare and valuable at nearly a million dollars. So if you’re wondering what sets apart the Mercedes Maybach BRABUS SV12r Biturbo 800 from the others, here’s the lowdown.
The key to unlocking the grandeur is found in its engine. An astonishing 800 horsepower comes from the 12-cylinder engine with flow-optimised heads in the Mercedes Maybach BRABUS SV12r Biturbo 800. With that much power, the automobile can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
The car entails high-performance camshafts, an improvised Biturbo system and a new air intake. In addition, the motor features unique turbine housings and incorporated turbocharges attached to high-performance manifolds.
The German company has adopted a new concept in this car by using a new stainless exhaust system with sport catalysts and 4 exhaust tips. That all led to an incredible 1,420Nm of torque.
It’s easy to forget the engine capacities today, but you can not overlook the BRABUS SV12r exterior. It features a new rear spoiler lip, an integrated air vent, and an arguable horizontal brace. In addition, the automobile was designed with clear carbon fibre combined with customised aluminium fenders and located reflector.
The interior is also most prestigious, with exclusive wood-trimmed sets equipped with cutting-edge technologies and leather finishing touches.
Mercedes Maybach 62S (2012)
The Mercedes Maybach 62S was a unique car, the first car to be designed and built by Mercedes-Benz’s in-house coachbuilder, Maybach. The 62S was also the most expensive car ever built by Mercedes-Benz after the brand’s revival for over $1 million.
The Maybach 62S featured a 6.0-litre V12 engine that produced 630 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. The car had a top speed of 25- mph and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in just less than 5 seconds. The 62S also featured an all-wheel-drive system and four-wheel steering.
The car’s interior was truly luxurious, with handcrafted black piano leather upholstery and wood trim. Undoubtedly, the 62S was an incredible car, and its price tag reflected its uniqueness.
Also, the car was equipped with many entertainment features ranging from two 9 1/2 –inch flat screens connected to the internet thanks to an integrated WiFi network. In addition, high-quality sound systems are fitted in twenty-one Bose speakers scattered around the car for concert-hall sensation.
Needs more? Well, a centre console gives you the upper hand over everything placed behind your comfort seat through remote control.
Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet (2017)
With sweeping dark lines, quilted leather interior and touchscreens everywhere, Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet is something out of the world that only a volcano liar would be able to park in.
It is an unquiet car that’s sure to turn heads. The Maybach 6 comes with an electric motor that produces 738 horsepower. That’s enough power to propel the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in just five seconds. Moreover, you will never get distracted by an annoyingly loud motor because the motor produces zero noise with the utmost comfort experience.
Another unique feature of the Maybach 6 is its gull-wing doors. These doors open like a bird’s wings, making it easy to get in and out of the car. They also add a sense of elegance to the Maybach 6’s already luxurious look.
Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC (2019)
The Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC is no different from exuding opulence and sophistication. This SUV is the epitome of luxury, with its powerful engine, spacious interior, and numerous high-end features— it comes as a part of the GLS-Class X167 series. Moreover, it’s the first Maybach SUV production.
Introduced at the 2019 Guangzhou International Motor Show, the Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC is designed to compete with the Bentley Bentayga and the Rolls Royce Cullinan.
What makes the Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC so unique is its combination of power and luxury. Under the hood, this SUV packs a twin-turbo 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine that produces an impressive 550 horsepower. While this vehicle is more than capable of delivering an exhilarating driving experience, the little touches help it stand out from any other SUVs now on the market.
From the moment you step inside the cabin, it’s clear that no expense has been spared regarding craftsmanship and materials.
Future of Maybach
Maybach has been in the business of luxury for over a century, and they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Instead, the company has big plans to stay competitive in the market by building the EQS. This move will put Maybach back at the forefront of innovation and cement their place as a leader in the luxury automotive market.
So what is EQS?
The EQS is an all-electric vehicle that is set to debut in 2021. It is a sleek, stylish sedan with EQ influences, wraparound headlights, and defined taillights.
It will help you identify its Maybach-ness character because it shines through thanks to its pinstripes in the grille, plated in chrome. It reflects the Mercedes concept of “generously dimensioned” by 24-inch wheels.
EQS can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and has a range of up to 400 miles on a single charge. In addition, the EQS is one of the most cutting-edge vehicles available because of its advanced driver assistance and safety features.
But it’s said that an electric Maybach would not need to compromise on performance or comfort; instead, electric powertrains would make these cars more energy efficient.
At this point, it’s hard to say whether the Maybach will ever take off again or whether it will remain stagnant between sales runs. The brand seems to attempt to promote its vehicles between Mercedes-Benz lines, but it does not seem adequate to drive sales through the roof again.
Furthermore, current and former celebrities have tried to drum up interest in the Maybach with little success.
Who would have guessed 101 years ago that a British brand behind some large, world-class, wealthy and leading vehicles would still be around today? Actually, I don’t know! But here we are! Welcome to the world of Maybach.
