LOOK WHO'S 'BACH(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 52

The second generation Mercedes-Maybach S-Class leverages the prestige of the Maybach badge in this super-luxury S-Class variant. Customers get long wheelbase space in the back, some of the greatest rear seats ever to grace a passenger car, a whisper quiet ride and the choice of all-wheel drive V8 or V12 twin-turbo powerplants.

Background word count: 163

Having abandoned its Maybach nameplate as a stand-alone franchise in the noughties, Mercedes revived it once again in 2014, but this time as a Mercedes-Maybach sub-brand, supposed to designate the ultimate versions of its two largest models, the S-Class and the GLS SUV. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class was based on the sixth generation 'W222'-series S-Class design and was replaced in 2021 by the replacement 'W223'-series model we look at here. Lower key it might be than rival Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Ghost rivals but it's beautifully executed. It's also remains something of a toe in the water for Mercedes. Should customers take to this super-luxury version of the S-Class saloon, there could well be Maybach versions of the E and CLS lines. Don't for one moment think that Mercedes has the equivalent of a Ford Ghia badge here. The Maybach S-Class isn't just a normal long-wheelbase S-Class that's had an enthusiastic run at the options list. This one is something very special indeed.

Driving Experience word count: 244

Power comes courtesy of the most appropriate engines on offer from the current S-Class portfolio, namely the 503hp 4.0-litre V8 and the 612hp 6.0-litre V12. Both record similar sprints to 62mph and 155mph top ends (4.8s and 4.5s respectively) but the difference between the feel of the two powerplants will mean that there will be some quite willing to stump up for the twelve-cylinder unit, despite is huge price premium. Unlike the previous generation model, the V12 is paired to Mercedes' usual 9G-TRONIC 9-speed auto gearbox, just like the V8. And, as before, there's massive torque generated by the twelve-cylinder unit; some 900Nm at just 2,000rpm. Both powerplants drive all four wheels via the Mercedes 4MATIC system - the previous generation car was only a rear-driven V12. One advantage of stretching to Mercedes-Maybach spec for your S-Class is that it'll get you two key engineering features that can't (currently) be had (even as an option) on an ordinary S-Class. Namely, 'E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL', which counteracts body lean through the bends and uses 'SURFACE SCAN' camera technology to prepare the AIRMATIC suspension for bumps before you reach them. And Rear-axle steering, which dramatically reduces this car's turning circle; think around 10.9-metres for the V8 model, much like a little A-Class hatch. With an ordinary long wheelbase S-Class, it's 12.8-metres. The V12 Mercedes-Maybach model uses a slightly different Rear-axle system with its larger 21-inch wheels, but even there, the turning circle is a relatively tight 11.9-metres.