After a 60-year absence, Maybach made its return to the luxury car market in July when the first flagship Maybach 62 arrived in New York aboard the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2. The launch was designed to recall the golden era of Maybach in the 20's and 30's - when those who could afford such an exclusive piece of engineering would make the same journey - as well as placing the world premiere in what is expected to be Maybach's biggest market.
As expected from a high-end saloon reclaiming a stake in the marketplace, the Maybach 62 is spacious and luxurious - customers are given a high level of specification including a choice of leathers and wood trims for the interior and state-of-the-art electronic systems - TV tuner, DVD player with viewing screens located behind each of the front seats, telephone and the universal Dolby surround sound system - are standard. The 6.16 metre overall length and 3.83 metre wheelbase incorporates individual rear reclining seats featuring automatic extending footrests and a refrigerated compartment, tilting/sliding sunroof and a two-tone paint finish are available at no extra cost.
Maybach utilises braking and safety technology developed by its sister brand Mercedes-Benz and underwent the same testing programme as new Mercedes models are subjected to before they can go into production. The new "Type 12", twin turbocharged, 5.5 litre, V12 power plant has an output of 405 kW and maximum torque of 900 Newton metres - a higher power output and more torque than any other series-production passenger car engine in the world according to DaimlerChrysler.
An average of five saloons will leave the Maybach Manufaktur each day from Spring 2002 as the Maybach brand makes a return in its own right within the DaimlerChrysler Group. The Maybach 62 will cost 360,000euro ex works in Europe (around AUS$645,000) and the slightly smaller Maybach 57 model will cost 310,000 euro.
