Maybach Zeppelin: Obscene Luxury

By Jay Williams - 5/March/2009

Geneva, Switzerland – Maybach's luxury cars are selling slowly but that hasn't stopped the Mercedes-Benz prestige brand from cranking out a special edition for the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Called the Maybach Zeppelin, this Rolls Royce rival is the most powerful vehicle in Maybach's range, using a 6.0-litre V12  twin turbo power unit that delivers 471kW of power and a peak torque of 1000 Newton metres.

A modern successor to the original 1930s Maybach Zeppelin, only 100 versions of this million dollar luxury limo will be built.

Formally know as "Luftfahrzeug-Motoreinbau" (literally "Airship Engine Company") until 1918, the Zeppelin brand is back on the world stage. But you have to ask, does anyone really care? I'm sure some people do, probably very powerful people, but not many I'd imagine.

The company originally developed and manufactured diesel and gas engines for Zeppelins, and then rail cars and then got into bed with Maybach in the 1930s.

The new model, which headlined for Maybach at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, represents the pinnacle of the high-end luxury segment. 

Along with it's sense of unique style, some of Maybach's hallmark features include exclusive paint work, a meticulously crafted leather interior with all the trimmings along with a huge list of optional extras including some very different trinkets. 

Nothing comes close to luxury overkill than the Zeppelin's perfume atomiser. You could say this car actually smells of success!

Customers can able to option an extremely high-quality perfume atomiser that costs almost $10,000 which Maybach says is the only one of its kind in the world, exclusive to the Maybach Zeppelin.

At the push of a button you will be stimulating the senses of the occupant's olfactory senses with a soft, delicate scent. Not sure why you couldn't use an AmbiPur car scenter, but I guess that's why I drive a Toyota and not a Rolls Royce.

According to Maybach, this is the kind of detail we are to expect from the atomiser:

"The system’s core component is an internally illuminated Plexiglass sphere on the rear centre console, into which Maybach Zeppelin owners can insert a vial of their preferred fragrance. A regulator pump then directs a gentle flow of air into the Plexiglass sphere, fanning the vial's perfume into the vehicles interior."

"The system comes supplied with two select fragrances, which have been exclusively developed for the Maybach by a renowned perfumer from global specialist Givaudan: one light and refreshing, the other slightly heavier and woodier."

"Maybach Zeppelin owners can also use other fragrances, or even have one specially developed and enjoy the luxury of immersing themselves in their very own, personally designed aroma."

"The fragrance holders are easily interchangeable. The specification includes a total of three valuable vials, which are hand-blown by a well-known glass artist."

I'm not so sure about that atomiser and what may be used in it. I can picture the progeny of a high flying filling it with sprite and destroying it.

Looking inside of the new Zeppelin is like taking a tour of a penthouse suite, a very cramped penthouse. 

California beige leather soaks most of the seats and door trims until shoulder height where you notice the deep Stromboli black leather that covers the headline and makes for a nice contrast.

The deep black tone of the headliner looks nice with the piano lacquer finish of the trim elements, and things like twin LCD screens, electronically adjustable rear seats, window curtains and various padded storage compartments and slide-out surfaces add to the package.

The limited-edition Zeppelin models also bear a number of discreet identifying markings in the interior.

The centre console in the front, the partition screen that is available as an option for the Maybach Zeppelin 62, plus the silver champagne flutes included as standard are all marked with the lettering “Maybach Zeppelin” which adds a sense of obscene luxuriousness.

Door sill panels as well as the key ring are engraved with the word “Zeppelin” as well.

No matter what angle the Maybach Zeppelin is viewed from it just has this air about it, a certain regency, that will appeal to the world's elite, the kind of people who have drivers and are looking for absolute indulgence and luxury.

One of the key tones in distinguishing the luxury brand's new top-of-the-range model from the rest is by it's special two-tone exterior paint scheme.

There is also a Rocky Mountains light brown high-light painted from the front headlight, right through to the rear tail light, which makes for a classic contrast to the Taiga black paint used for the vehicles body.

Combined with the dark red tail light's and the striking rear tailpipes, the Maybach Zeppelin's newly designed Chrome Shadow 20-inch wheels put the cherry on top. 

It's massively long, hugely expensive to run (not to mention to buy) but is one of the most luxurious vehicles ever made. 

The Maybach Zeppelin won't be for everyone, but with only 100 units being built I guess it all works out in the end.

The new Maybach Zeppelin went on sale on the 3rd of March 2009 at the opening of the Geneva Motor Show, with the first models expected to be delivered to customers in September 2009.

Pricing:

Maybach 57 Zeppelin €406,000 ($795,209)
Maybach 62 Zeppelin €473,200 ($926,830)
The perfume atomiser is exclusive to the Zeppelin can be ordered for an extra €3,950 ($7,736)

Related Links:
- Maybach Exelero (Prototype)
- Maybach 57 S (2005)
- Maybach limosines (2002)