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  • New details on FAB Design Maybach 57S

    New details on FAB Design Maybach 57S February 17th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, February 17th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 3 Comments

    New details on FAB Design Maybach 57S Putting an already overwrought car through the tuner's wringer usually results in some pretty horrific ocular torture, and while the FAB Design Maybach 57 certainly qualifies, it adds a distinct element of sport that seems oddly congruent with the car's inherent design. Today FAB revealed more details on the car's design and equipment, showing it to be not just meaner looking, but more powerful too.

    A twin-turbo setup gets the burly 6.0L V12 to crank out 641hp (478kW) and an asphalt-curling 757lb-ft (1,025Nm) of torque - up 38hp and 19lb-ft over stock. That's enough to punch the brute to 62mph (100km/h) in 4.9 seconds and on to 188mph... Putting an already overwrought car through the tuner's wringer usually results in some pretty horrific ocular torture, and while the FAB Design Maybach 57 certainly qualifies, it adds a distinct element of sport that seems oddly congruent with the car's inherent design. Today FAB revealed more details on the car's design and equipment, showing it to be not just meaner looking, but more powerful too. A twin-turbo setup gets the burly 6.0L V12 to crank out 641hp (478kW) and an asphalt-curling 757lb-ft (1,025Nm) of torque - up 38hp and 19lb-ft over stock. That's enough to punch the brute to 62mph (100km/h) in 4.9 seconds and on to 188mph (303km/h). The big vents in the fenders are there to cool the upgraded sport brakes, which will undoubtedly need all the help they can get. Twenty inch alloy wheels are also likely to spark commentary. Inside, FAB equips pearl-colored surfaces and sky blue Alcantara to keep the passengers thinking about anything besides their seemingly impossible velocity. Of course everything on the inside of the car can be made to the customer's order, including the entertainment system. A wide-body treatment with enormous yet sculptured fender flares - 12in (30cm) wider than stock - is the first thing the eye catches on with the FAB Design Maybach. While many find the stock Maybach's appearance objectionable to begin with, the FAB Design body kit draws out the car's Mercedes-Benz roots, accentuating the lines that make those cars so attractive. Nonetheless, it's still a heavily modified Maybach, and likely to inspire some polarizing viewpoints. The shark-gill vents in the front quarter panel, mimicked in the rear fenders, for example, are sure to draw as much criticism as praise. At the very least, the compound rarity of a modified Maybach makes it a sight to see. Only 15 of the FAB-modified cars will be built. Take that as you please - blessing or curse. Via: Auto Motor und SportFAB Design Maybach 57 Read More

  • Maybach bringing back Zeppelin nameplate for Geneva Motor Show

    Maybach bringing back Zeppelin nameplate for Geneva Motor Show February 11th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, February 11th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 4 Comments

    Maybach bringing back Zeppelin nameplate for Geneva Motor Show Faltering sales and weak brand recognition have plagued Maybach in recent years, but the company continues offering new models for its core cadre of affluent aficionados. The latest is the Zeppelin, a super-luxury treatment for the 57 S and 62 sedans, due to be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

    From 1928-1934 the Zeppelin nameplate held the top spot in Maybach's lineup, and so the re-introduction of the name pushes the cars bearing that appellation to the top of Maybach's spec list. Pricing likewise goes as far as any Maybach save the extravagant Landaulet has gone.

    Powered by the familiar 6.0L V12 twin-turbo from other models, but... Faltering sales and weak brand recognition have plagued Maybach in recent years, but the company continues offering new models for its core cadre of affluent aficionados. The latest is the Zeppelin, a super-luxury treatment for the 57 S and 62 sedans, due to be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. From 1928-1934 the Zeppelin nameplate held the top spot in Maybach's lineup, and so the re-introduction of the name pushes the cars bearing that appellation to the top of Maybach's spec list. Pricing likewise goes as far as any Maybach save the extravagant Landaulet has gone. Powered by the familiar 6.0L V12 twin-turbo from other models, but up-rated by 28hp (21kW) to 640hp (471kW) and 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) of torque, the Zeppelin nevertheless promises to meet Euro 5 emissions standards. Base pricing for Zeppelins based on the Maybach 57 will start at €406,000 ($524,000) in Europe, while those based on the 62 will jump off at €473,200 ($610,000). Orders will open upon the car's debut in March with first deliveries expected in September. Interior upgrades to the Zeppelin line include quilted 'California beige' leather with 'Stromboli black' contrast stitching and piano black highlights. For that crowning touch, silver champagne glasses engraved with the Zeppelin logo are also included. A unique element is an acrylic ball that dispenses a bespoke fragrance through the cabin at the push of a button. A choice of two fragrances are available from the factory, one described as 'light and refreshing', another as 'woody'. Custom scents can also be had, at a cost of €3,950 ($5,100) plus taxes. From the outside, the Zeppelin models can be recognised by a two-tone paint finish. The shoulderline is painted right through to the background of the headlamp assemblies in ‘Rocky Mountains’ light brown, which forms a stylish contrast to the ‘Taiga black’ finish used for the rest of the vehicle body. Another new feature are the side mirrors, which have a more angular design than other Maybachs and are separated from the door frame by a slender arm. Completing the look is a set of newly designed 20in wheels in a dark chrome finish. Only 100 Zeppelin cars will be built, though given weak demand for past Maybach models, one has to wonder if demand will outstrip that number.2010 Maybach ZeppelinMaybach Zeppelin beauty footage Read More

  • Maybach 62S depreciates $500 per day, leads luxury ranks

    Maybach 62S depreciates $500 per day, leads luxury ranks February 2nd, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, February 2nd, 2009 Kenneth Hall 0 Comments

    Maybach 62S depreciates $500 per day, leads luxury ranks The true cost of owning a mega-luxury car is often compounded when things like maintenance and insurance are taken into account, but it turns out depreciation is the real killer. For the Maybach 62S, one of the most expensive and excessive luxury sedans on the market, the penalty will run upwards of £350 ($500) per day, during the first year alone.

    That's right - a 2008 Maybach 62S in typical condition is worth about £129,200 (roughly $183,000) less than the car's http://www.autonews.com/article/20090202/ANE03/901309934345,800 ($491,935) sticker price in the UK. The figures, courtesy of Parker's car price guide, reveal that almost 40% of... The true cost of owning a mega-luxury car is often compounded when things like maintenance and insurance are taken into account, but it turns out depreciation is the real killer. For the Maybach 62S, one of the most expensive and excessive luxury sedans on the market, the penalty will run upwards of £350 ($500) per day, during the first year alone. That's right - a 2008 Maybach 62S in typical condition is worth about £129,200 (roughly $183,000) less than the car's http://www.autonews.com/article/20090202/ANE03/901309934345,800 ($491,935) sticker price in the UK. The figures, courtesy of Parker's car price guide, reveal that almost 40% of the car's value dissipates in the first year. Other luxury sedans fare somewhat better in outright dollar figures - if only due to their lower cost - but worse when it comes to percentages. The much less costly BMW 7-series loses just over half - 51% - of its value during the first year, while even the vaunted Mercedes-Benz S600 retains just 53% of its original value, losing 47%. The Rolls Royce Phantom Saloon, on the other hand comes out relatively well, falling from its original value of £298,900 ($425,200) to just £227,350 ($323,400), a loss of £71,550 ($102,000) or 24%. That's still a hefty sum - about equal to the outright purchase price of the S-Class mentioned above - but about half the monetary and percentage loss of the Maybach. Long derided for its high price, awkward styling and questionable market positioning, the Maybach brand takes another hit directly on the chin. The question, then, is how many more can it take? Read More

  • Maybach sales drop 25%, company insists it’s immune to global economic crisis

    Maybach sales drop 25%, company insists it’s immune to global economic crisis January 26th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, January 26th, 2009 James Martinez 3 Comments

    Maybach sales drop 25%, company insists it’s immune to global economic crisis Despite the global economic crisis, no customers have canceled their Maybach orders but sales last year were still down on 2007’s levels. Maybach sold just over 400 vehicles in 2007 but this dropped to 300 vehicles last year, with the United States once again accounting for the bulk of sales.

    "There is no visible impact of the financial crisis," Maybach's product and portfolio manager, Thorsten Lenz, told Automotive News. "We have a good order base that will last for a few months."

    While Lenz’s comments appear to be peachy, the truth remains that Maybach’s sales are far below capacity, as the company’s assembly... Despite the global economic crisis, no customers have canceled their Maybach orders but sales last year were still down on 2007’s levels. Maybach sold just over 400 vehicles in 2007 but this dropped to 300 vehicles last year, with the United States once again accounting for the bulk of sales. "There is no visible impact of the financial crisis," Maybach's product and portfolio manager, Thorsten Lenz, told Automotive News. "We have a good order base that will last for a few months." While Lenz’s comments appear to be peachy, the truth remains that Maybach’s sales are far below capacity, as the company’s assembly plant in Germany has the capability to churn out up to 2,000 vehicles per year. There are also no new models in the pipeline and closest rivals Rolls-Royce and Bentley have both experienced sales levels that almost triple Maybach’s figures. Despite the gloom, there is some support for Maybach from within Daimler, the ultra-luxury marque’s parent company. According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the brand won’t return a positive return on investment but that “it doesn’t matter” because it has proven that it can compete with Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The other positive is that development costs for Maybach were relatively low because both the 57 and 62 models are largely based on the last-generation Mercedes S-Class. Zetsche also claimed that the brand won’t be axed as it was not losing money. Read More

  • Extended Maybach 62 becomes six-seat Maybach 72

    Extended Maybach 62 becomes six-seat Maybach 72 December 10th, 2008 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, December 10th, 2008 Alex Kaufmann 7 Comments

    Extended Maybach 62 becomes six-seat Maybach 72 Daimler's Maybach brand of super-luxury executive vehicles doesn't have the sales strength of rivals Bentley or Rolls Royce, but it's no less an opulent and sizable piece of machinery. Despite the Maybach 62's 242.7in (6.17m) length, some intrepid modifiers decided it wasn't quite large enough, and decided to extend the car to accommodate six passengers in comfort.

    The only thing lacking in the resulting Maybach 72, then, is taste, as it clearly has room for just about everything else imaginable. Stretching the Maybach to make room for a new pair of rearward-facing but full-sized seats was apparently no small feat, as the already healthy... Daimler's Maybach brand of super-luxury executive vehicles doesn't have the sales strength of rivals Bentley or Rolls Royce, but it's no less an opulent and sizable piece of machinery. Despite the Maybach 62's 242.7in (6.17m) length, some intrepid modifiers decided it wasn't quite large enough, and decided to extend the car to accommodate six passengers in comfort. The only thing lacking in the resulting Maybach 72, then, is taste, as it clearly has room for just about everything else imaginable. Stretching the Maybach to make room for a new pair of rearward-facing but full-sized seats was apparently no small feat, as the already healthy $390,000 price tag has climbed to a staggering $780,000 (€599,000) post-conversion. Not much else is known about the car, though its sellers claim the 2004-model car has seen almost no use, with just 497mi (800km) on the odometer. Via: Autoblog.nlMaybach 72 stretch limo Read More

  • Daimler CEO says Maybach is not losing money, won't be axed

    Daimler CEO says Maybach is not losing money, won't be axed October 8th, 2008 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, October 8th, 2008 Alex Kaufmann 2 Comments

    Daimler CEO says Maybach is not losing money, won't be axed With no new models in the pipeline and a paltry 146 units sold in all of 2007, there has been plenty of speculation that Maybach could be running at a loss and eventually dropped from Daimler’s portfolio. Considering rival brands Rolls Royce and Bentley are experiencing record sales and growth, walking away from Maybach was an idea suggested by Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche as recently as March.

    However, in his latest interview with Automotive News, Zetsche has revealed that Maybach is not running at a loss and the brand won’t be dropped anytime soon. He revealed that there is support for Maybach from within Daimler.... With no new models in the pipeline and a paltry 146 units sold in all of 2007, there has been plenty of speculation that Maybach could be running at a loss and eventually dropped from Daimler’s portfolio. Considering rival brands Rolls Royce and Bentley are experiencing record sales and growth, walking away from Maybach was an idea suggested by Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche as recently as March. However, in his latest interview with Automotive News, Zetsche has revealed that Maybach is not running at a loss and the brand won’t be dropped anytime soon. He revealed that there is support for Maybach from within Daimler. Although it won’t make a positive return on investment, Zetsche said “it doesn’t matter” because Maybach has proven that it can build a car to compete with Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The other positive is that development costs for Maybach were relatively low because both the 57 and 62 models are largely based on the last-generation Mercedes S-Class. As for a new model, Zetsche has previously stated that a decision has not been made yet, but will come in the next two years. Maybach’s most recent model, the 62S Landaulet, has recently gone on sale but is only a handful of cars are expected to be produced. With a brand new Arnage in the works and Rolls Royce set to launch a smaller and more affordable model, competition in the ultra-luxury market is about to get tougher than ever.Maybach 62 Landaulet Study Read More

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