Mercedes-Benz has finally confirmed one of the year’s worst-kept secrets: That its Maybach brand is making a return as a new “Mercedes-Maybach” sub-brand specializing in ultra-luxury, similar to how the existing Mercedes-AMG sub-brand specializes in performance. Along with the confirmation, Mercedes released two photos teasing the first Mercedes-Maybach-enhanced model, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which has been confirmed for separate debuts at auto shows taking place in Los Angeles and Guangzhou, China in the coming week.

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The version debuting next week will be a Mercedes-Maybach S600, powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 shared with the regular Mercedes S600. Other variants are likely to be launched, including possibly a plug-in hybrid.

We’ve been spying prototypes for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class for almost a year but now we have our first look at the vehicle’s lavish interior. Mercedes-Maybach likes to boast that the car benefits from the “perfection” of the S-Class as well as a new level of “exclusivity” conveyed by the Maybach tag.

One form of exclusivity that the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class affords is a stretched wheelbase, which boosts interior space in the rear. The stretched wheelbase means that the S-Class family now boasts four separate variants, with the others being the standard size sedan, long-wheelbase model we get as standard here in the U.S. and the stylish coupe. Two more are in the works, though: an upcoming convertible and an extra, extra-long version that’s expected to revive the Pullman name.

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Mercedes-Maybach customers will also have more personalization options to choose from, such as unique seats, additional comfort and convenience features, and ultra-luxurious trim elements. Mercedes is keen to stress that Mercedes-Maybach is not an equipment line, but a sub-brand that in future will deliver additional models. One of these is expected to be a version of the GL-Class SUV.

Stay tuned for the full reveal of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class in the coming week.

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