Somewhere, people are thinking of ways to enhance what may already be the ultimate experience on four wheels. Somewhere, their colleagues are on standby, ready to travel the world to remedy serious vehicle malfunctions. The “somewhere” is Sindelfingen, Germany, and the car is the Maybach.
In North America, many had a bad grasp on pronouncing “My-bock,” let alone understanding the historical significance of the name. Wilhelm Maybach was an engineer who worked closely with Gottlieb Daimler, developing some the world’s first powered vehicles in the late 1800s. Wilhelm’s son, Karl, later oversaw production of Maybachs, some of the most luxurious vehicles produced at the time, until 1941. When Mercedes-Benz decided to pursue an even more upscale clientele with an even more upscale car, they looked to the past and resurrected the Maybach name for the 2004 model year.
Aside from a sinister-looking concept coupe, all production Maybachs are sedans: 57, 57 S and 62. Despite the Mercedes link, the model numbers don’t refer to engine displacement but to length in meters: 5.7 and 6.2. Unofficially, the 57 is for the owner who likes to drive himself and the 62 is for the owner who prefers to be driven. Our feature model, the 62, affords the owner more room to contemplate the good life, not to mention his $386,500 purchase -- before options.
In terms of price and luxury, the Maybach hasn’t much competition outside of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. For now, let’s have a look at how the 62 stands on its own for luxury and practicality, relatively speaking. Each category is worth 50 possible points for a potential perfect score of 100. Let’s see how it ranks.
the luxury ride
If pictures of the 62’s exterior don’t leave an instant profound, life-changing impression, it’s understandable. Mercedes opted for the conservative side with the Maybach line, presuming their owners would remain owners for many years. A trendy look could easily become outdated; that prospect does not amuse clientele in this echelon. Assuming many of these owners have never even heard of Hyundai, they couldn’t possibly be aware that their finely crafted works of art bear a resemblance to the now defunct XG sedan. Of course, that all changes when the 62 is viewed in real life -- that’s when you can begin to appreciate the car’s look a little more. It still won’t knock your socks off, but at least you’ll never compare it with a used Korean sedan again.A three-ton über-sedan requires above-average motivation to get it to perform. Mercedes engineers answered the need by tweaking their 5.5-liter V12 engine and adding twin turbos to achieve 550 horsepower and 664 foot-pounds of torque. As a result, the 62 goes from 0 to 62mph in 5.4 seconds as it runs through the five gears of its automatic transmission. Braking is purely electronic, not to mention quite intelligent. When driven in the rain, the 62 ever so slightly applies the brakes to keep them dry and ready to perform. If an emergency situation is detected -- if the driver suddenly lifts the throttle and hits the brake pedal, for example -- the brakes are preloaded to lessen stopping distance. Naturally, they are antilocking, plus stability control, traction control and the DC Airmatic suspension system conspire to keep the 62 placidly rolling on the desired path.
Unless the 10 airbags are triggered, however, not that many of these operations will ever be noticed or even considered by the occupants. Noise, vibration and harshness are essentially nonexistent from the rear of the 62, regardless of speed. It’s all a little deceiving. Until you consult the auxiliary speedometer in the overhead console, you won’t feel as if you’re moving quickly, even at triple-digit speeds. If that relaxes you to the point of drowsiness, you’re in a good place. The seats recline and are crowned with down-filled, nubuck-upholstered pillows on the headrests. If you choose to stay awake, you can enjoy a chilled beverage from the refrigerated compartment, slip on the wireless headphones (two sets come with the car) and summon some entertainment. You can control the 600-watt, multi-zone surround-sound system with secondary CD changer or pop in a DVD. While you’re at it, you can let the sun in and/or exclude the driver from your activities. The roof and divider glass can be adjusted for transparency and opaqueness at your command. Two air-conditioning systems provide four-zone climate control. Not a bad way to pass a few miles.
As you cover those miles, you’ll make a statement. The 62 is designed to be personalized to your tastes, inside and out. Assisted by your own Maybach Relationship Manager at a Commissioning Studio within select Mercedes dealerships, you will be guided through all the possibilities of paint/interior colors, appointments and trim. The latter is a good example of how Maybachs are far from the everyday car. If you so desire, you can order granite interior trim. Not your thing? How about yellow or white gold? Diamonds? Your monogram? Your coat of arms? If you so desire, you can even travel to Sindelfingen to convey your wishes directly to the Maybach designers.
So far, the 62 probably sounds like the ultimate in luxury beyond reproach. Well, not quite: Some have whined that the climate, sound system and COMAND navigation operations take a little practice to master, ringing a bit too familiar with typical Mercedes controls. Only in this price class could M-B instrumentation be considered a cheap way out. In reality, that’s the driver’s concern, not necessarily the owner’s.
The verdict
Even without its surprisingly adequate performance, the 62 would score high just on its accoutrements. This is a virtual limousine, if a little more subtle and tastefully presented. It’s no small accomplishment that a German automaker has crafted a warm, indulgent interior. Minor dissention has been raised about the 62’s lines, appearing frumpy in some eyes, plus Mercedes parts bin-raiding is considered the cheap way out to some. Those quibbles are really subjective, and the 62 stands as a marvelous way to ride.Luxury score: 49/50
the practical ride
Now really, does a three-ton virtual limo make any sense on an everyday basis? As a matter of fact, it does -- to a point. Remember: The 62 is named for its length of nearly 6.2 meters. It’s also designed for the owner who prefers to be driven rather than take the helm himself. Forget the driver attempting to parallel park. Double park and risk the ticket -- who cares? That’s a privilege that comes with spending over $386,000 on a car. In reality, the owner isn’t going to be cruising neighborhoods, but his driver will have to compensate for all that mass in congested traffic. If the 62’s wheelbase were any longer, the present 49-foot turning radius spec would have to be revised to simply say “not advisable in small states.”It’s worth noting the 62 drives well otherwise, somewhat along the lines of a Mercedes S-Class. If your driver ever pulls a Ferris Bueller, you’ll still be able to leave your estate and soldier on. Not that it’s likely a make-or-break selling point to well-heeled consumers, but the 62 returns credible mileage for its bulk: 12mpg in town and 17mpg on the open road. With its massive 29.1-gallon tank, it translates to a highway cruising range of just under 500 miles.
Cruising range means little if you can’t take much luggage along for the ride, so the 62 is ready with 15 cubic feet of cargo capacity. That’s comparable to other large cars, if not large SUVs. The build-quality, fit and finish seem higher than almost any other vehicle on the road. Mercedes hasn’t forgotten the sting of reliability issues on their cars in recent years, so you can be assured the slightest Maybach woe will be addressed with great concern. Any Mercedes dealer can perform light service on a Maybach, but serious matters create an international incident. However rare, breakdowns actually provoke a visit from a Maybach technician direct from Germany. A staff of 20 exists for this purpose alone. It’s nice to know your $400,000 purchase is backed with service.
The verdict
For a car that functions best with the owner in the back seat and a hired driver in front, the 62 rates similar in practicality as it does in luxury: near perfect. Mind you, the typical Maybach owner is less concerned with overall practicality, but it doesn’t stop Mercedes from producing ultimate luxury you can live with on an everyday basis.Practicality score: 47/50
and the total is…
We hear it all the time, especially from those who are indifferent to automotive panache: “Is a car like this really necessary?” Frankly, no. But neither are any of life’s luxuries. Get the picture? We don’t need them to sustain life, but some of us would rather not imagine a world without them. The Maybach 62 is about as close to a limousine as you can get without looking like you’re in a wedding party or going to a prom. Outside, it’s elegant and understated; inside, it’s an opulent, gadget-filled retreat. Overall, it’s one of the most indulgent vehicles you can buy, and it happens to be practical within its realm as well.96/100
Resources:http://aolsvc.edmunds.com/new/2007/maybach/62/100761548/specs.html
http://media.daimlerchrysler.com/gms_frame
http://www.maybachusa.com/
0 comments:
Publicar un comentario