The new Mercedes-Maybach S600 will likely start at over $200,000 when it reaches the US.
The new flagship Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will go on sale next February at a starting price of 134,053.50 Euros, the German maker says, or the equivalent of $166,700 at current exchange rates.
That’s for the “base” Mercedes-Maybach S500, with the 12-cylinder S600 model commanding 187,841.50, or about $234,000. To put that into perspective, a Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG sedan goes for $142,375.
On the other hand, the two new ultra-lux models might be considered a veritable bargain compared to the original sedans offered when Maybach operated as a true, standalone brand. U.S. buyers pay around $340,000 for the M57, and $430,000 for the M62 S, with the Maybach Landaulet semi-convertible demanding a stiff $1 million.
The pricing announcement from Mercedes carries an asterisk, however, as it reflects base European figures – which include a stiff value-added tax, or VAT, of at least 19%.
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Inside the new Maybach S600.
“We won’t have pricing until spring,” noted Rob Moran, chief spokesman for Mercedes-Benz USA. “For now, around $200,000 is the best guideline we can offer. Keep in mind we will offer the 600 version — other markets have smaller engines as well.”
The S600 will feature a biturbo 6.0-liter V-12 punching out a hefty 530 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. For such a big vehicle, the estimated fuel economy of 20.1 mpg might come as a surprise. But that is using the European cycle test and is also expected to come down significantly in the American EPA numbers.
Whether that would matter to potential buyers is doubtful. What could be more important is that, “Numerous exclusive details underline the car’s ambition to lead” in the chauffeured-vehicle segment, according to Mercedes.
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Among other things, Mercedes claims the passenger compartment of the Maybach “saloon” cars will be the quietest in the world. Passengers will get about eight inches more backseat space, and additional headroom, as well.
There will be special safety features, such as a new seat cushion airbag. And to make it easier for rear occupants to communicate with the hired help up front, there’ll be a “voice amplification system” that will automatically adjust its boost depending on the speaker’s volume and ambient noise levels.
The new Mercedes-Maybach models made their surprise debut at the L.A. Auto Show last month. The maker had killed off the Maybach brand several years ago due to slow sales. But the maker didn’t want to abandon the ultra-luxury segment entirely.
“There is that customer who wants the next step up, and if we don’t provide it we might lose them,” stressed Steve Cannon, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, in a conversation with TheDetroitBureau.com.
The stretched sedans were originally going to be dubbed Mercedes-Benz Pullman models, but the maker decided to revive the Maybach name to create a bit more differentiation from the rest of its line-up.
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