The limousine-length Rolls-Royce of Mercedes-Benzes is propelled by a twin-turbo V12. In Australia, about six Mercedes-Maybachs are sold each year. This is what driving is like.
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| Review of the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 launch |
How reliable is the Mercedes-Maybach S680?
The Rolls-Royce of Mercedes-Benz limos is here to meet you.
When a standard Benz simply won't do, the super-rich might choose the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S680.
The riff-raff is kept out of the running for one of these due to the recommended selling price of $574,000 (plus on-road expenditures).
The Maybach name has been around since 1909 when it was first a father and son business. They produced their first vehicle in 1921, specializing at the time in super-luxury versions of Mercedes vehicles.
When Mercedes-Benz bought the Maybach brand in 1960, it created a division for vehicles that were extended or custom-built for limousines.
Mercedes-Benz chose to give the Maybach brand its character and developed two limos in 2002 after noticing development in the ultrarich category. These vehicles were built on an S-Class beneath, but had distinctive sheet metal and interior fittings.
However, despite ten years of work, Maybach sales lagged behind Rolls-Royce. It ended up being an expensive exercise for an Uber-priced vehicle.
From 2002 through 2012, when the marque was discontinued, just 3,000 Maybach were sold worldwide.
In contrast, Rolls-Royce sold nearly as many vehicles in only one year (2700 cars sold in 2010). Worldwide sales of Rolls-Royce automobiles surpassed, 5500 last year.
Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz has chosen to continue operating in this exclusive segment of luxury automobiles.
In 2014, it brought back the Maybach moniker with a modified Mercedes-Benz S-Class (rather than design and develop a unique body).
Now that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has just been introduced, the second version of the current Maybach theme is available.
The Mercedes-Maybach is to the Mercedes S-Class what the Ford LTD was to the Ford Fair lane, and what the Holden Caprice was to a Holden Statesman if one were to oversimplify how this automobile sits in the lineup of the German manufacturer.
The grilles are different, and the front bumper has additional chrome accents.
The Mercedes-Maybach, though, goes a step farther. In addition, the inside has been given a more customized treatment, and the body is extended 18 cm longer than the most recent long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
This thing is enormous, so it's a good thing there is a twin-turbo V12 under the hood—the only V12 in the Mercedes-Benz catalog still available locally.
What's the interior of the Mercedes-Maybach S680 like?
Unsurprisingly, the Mercedes-Maybach S680's interior resembles that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class upon which it is based, with the exception that every option is selected, including pillows for the headrests, and that the dash and door trim have vertical pinstripes rather than a more subdued appearance.
The quality, scent, and feel of the leather suggest that it is intended to resemble a fitted suit or a posh lounge.
Along with being enormous, it is 18 cm longer than the S-Class long wheelbase. This leaves enough space for back seats that recline and offer back and leg massage features like those seen in business class.
Similar to the S-Class, the dashboard's center is dominated by a large vertical touchscreen, and the driver's view is provided by a widescreen digital instrument display.
The driver may see important information on a huge, colorful head-up display.
The ambiance is established at night by ambient lighting in a variety of colors, which can also be turned off, and the leather chairs feature plush cushions on the headrests for enhanced comfort.
What size screen does the Mercedes-Maybach S680 have?
The 1750W, 39-speaker "4D sound system" contains eight "rumble" devices built into the seats and 31 individual speakers so that listeners can "feel" the music as well as hear it.
The 15-speaker premium 3D "surround sound" 710W audio system in the top-tier S-Class model has been replaced.
It is common to include wired Apple Car Play, Android Auto, digital radio, and AM/FM frequencies in addition to wireless smartphone charging.
Although the infotainment touchscreen's performance is outstanding, buttons and knobs (which are conspicuously absent) are far more user-friendly, especially when moving.
The Mercedes-Maybach S680 is it a secure vehicle?
The Mercedes-Maybach S680 has 10 airbags in addition to a long list of crash-avoidance systems.
It lacks the two additional airbags (for a total of 12) found in the Mercedes-Benz S580L twin-turbo V8 hybrid, which is the model below it. To prevent passengers in the two outboard rear seats from banging their faces on the front seat backs, the model adds two additional airbags (one behind each front seat).
However, because the front seats are so distant from the occupants in the back seats, these additional airbags were not installed on the Mercedes-Maybach S680.
Autonomous emergency braking at low and high speeds, blind zone warning, lane-guidance aid, a 360-degree video vision, and front and rear parking sensors are all included as standard features.
Varied vehicle manufacturers' lane-keeping systems have distinctly different levels of precision. Even while Mercedes-systems Benz are frequently among the most accurate, they still only function approximately 60% of the time (depending on visibility and the accuracy of the lane lines) and may be harsh when they do.
So, the same cautions apply. As previously said, Drive does not advise drivers to rely on this technology. It is intended to provide a backup for drivers who are preoccupied, albeit it only functions occasionally. Driving should be done as if it doesn't exist.
Despite the promise that technology holds, according to the wording of the law, the driver is required to maintain control of the vehicle.
What is the price of a Mercedes-Maybach S680 in Australia?
In this category, the value depends on the individual.
Either an extremely costly Mercedes S-Class or a less expensive substitute for a Rolls-Royce Ghost ($645,000) or Rolls-Royce Phantom ($915,000) is the $574,000 Mercedes-Maybach S680.
However, we believe it is difficult to justify such a price tag honestly.
But it should be emphasized that at least six Australians join up for one of these every year on average who disagree with this viewpoint.
The other oddity is that the twin-turbo V8 hybrid Mercedes-Benz S-Class accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, as opposed to 4.5 seconds for the twin-turbo V12 Mercedes-Maybach.
Of course, it's doubtful that anybody would notice the difference, but in a market where bragging rights are everything, some purchasers could find it off-putting.
Service intervals are 12 months/25,000 kilometers, and the warranty is five years/unlimited miles.
Even if the S680 needs an oil and filter change, as most cars do, the expense of maintenance is exorbitant.
Regular maintenance will cost $3550 over three years, $4700 over four years, and $6750 over five years.
How does driving the Mercedes-Maybach S680 feel?
The Mercedes-Maybach S680 is an automobile, despite how quiet and polished it is.
As a result, you are still aware of potholes when driving and can still hear stones jingling under the car.
However, everything is carried out as delicately, subtly, and serenely as possible.
To offer a smooth feeling on takeoff, the accelerator pedal is purposefully reluctant to respond unless the driver floors it.
One can't have the passengers being thrown around, thus the steering must be smooth without seeming ambiguous. Thankfully, the brakes are strong and efficient at slowing down the vehicle.
Even though it may ultimately go extinct due to the move to hybrid and electric vehicles, the twin-turbo V12 engine is still a fantastic power plant with easy torque reserves.
It consumes premium unleaded gasoline at a rate of 13.6L/100 km, or about twice as much as the typical automobile, according to the rating label.
But when you consider all that is going on beneath the hood, it is amazing how quiet the V12 is.
We previously mentioned how the lack of a volume dial for the infotainment system detracts from the fun of driving because you have to take your eyes off the road to find the appropriate button or touchscreen part to hit.
Although it is a first-world issue, this is aggravating. Buyers in this price bracket undoubtedly don't require such little annoyances in their lives.
Do I need to purchase the Mercedes-Maybach S680?
The Mercedes-Maybach S680 offers a window into a completely new level of affluence.
We believe there are more cost-effective methods to enjoy super-luxury in an automobile.