Maybach 57 S: Athletic Opulence

By Motoring Channel Staff - 22/03/2005

The all-new Maybach 57 S (the S stands for “Special”) was recently unveiled at Europe's first major motor show of the year, the Geneva Motor Show, and makes the twin turbo V12 limousine an even more enticing proposition.

By presenting a more powerful and individualised version of the Series 57 saloon, Maybach is responding to an increasing number of customers’ desires for even greater engine output and dynamic handling.

Apparently a lot of buyers have been less inclined to use chauffeurs, and those drivers used to AMG-like levels of performance are demanding more from one of the most expensive cars on the planet.

Developed in co-operation with Mercedes-AMG, the 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine provides impressive acceleration, powering the pumped-up Maybach 57 S from zero to 100km/h in only 5.0 seconds.

This makes the Maybach 57 S the world’s fastest series-production saloon in its segment, but considering its only real opposition is the Rolls Royce Phantom, it's not being inundated by opposition.

The special Maybach’s more powerful 36-valve, 12-cylinder engine generates 450kW or 612hp @ 4800 - 5100rpm thanks to its biturbo technology and water/charge-air cooling system.

Between 2000 and 4000rpm, the engine’s torque peaks at an impressive 1000Nm (electronically limited), providing sporty drivers with notable reserves of power at all times.

A combination of cutting-edge technology and a whole host of well-thought-out details developed by the Mercedes-AMG specialists forms the basis for the monstrous performance of the Maybach 57 S, which makes use of a 5-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

The forged pistons, for example, which are made from a special material which is extremely resistant to temperature and pressure, have an oil-spray cooling system with a separate individual nozzle for each piston.

The housings of the compressor and turbine in both turbochargers as well as the turbine and compressor wheels are designed for a maximum charge pressure of 1.5 bar, which helps the engine achieve its 1000Nm of torque with ease.

In addition to the beefed up engine, the Maybach 57 S also comes with an uprated chassis to give the car better (read: sportier) handling characteristics.

By uprating the suspension, the developers at Maybach have succeeded in meeting the various requirements of customers who demand more interaction with the road and, as a result, the chassis can reliably and skilfully transmit the vehicle’s impressive power and torque potential to the road, while also retaining the equally- important high levels of driving comfort typical of the Maybach brand.

On the exterior, the vehicle’s dynamic appearance is highlighted by a number of tasteful visual details. These include a monochrome paint job in a special black or silver colour exclusively available for the 57 S, a modified front with a new grille design, and imposing new 20-inch multi-spoke wheels.

At the back, the reworked rear valance and the muffler’s two integrated and redesigned tailpipes give visual expression to the car’s potential for ultra-high performance.

A redesigned interior also marks part of the Maybach 57 S, and features high-quality materials and the kind of top-level workmanship expected of a car that costs about the same of two beach houses in Corsica.

The redesigned leather appointments create an eye-catching, tasteful ambience and the interior’s unique and extremely exclusive appearance benefits from the ideally coordinated application of piano lacquer and carbon to create a feeling of dynamic elegance that is particularly evident within the driver’s field of vision.

No word yet on whether the special edition Maybach 57 S will be coming to Australia, but if it does, expect a price tag close to $1million. And then add stamp duty and on road costs.