Mercedes-Maybach S600 Test Drive Review

Mercedes-Maybach S600 Review

Car Tested: 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600; Road Test No. 622

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 3.04 crores

The Maybach S600 offers a bit more than the ‘Best Car in the World’, making it more special

The Mercedes S-Class is a popular luxury sedan worldwide and why not? It is said to be the ‘Best Car in the World’ and rightly so! The S-Class offers a lot of comfort, exclusivity, style, snob value, power and a huge list of gizmos that there is actually nothing that is missing in the car. While competition was trying to keep up with the standards of the S-Class, the guys at Mercedes were laughing and decided to make the S-Class even more special. So what is the outcome? As we see here, the Mercedes-Maybach S600. The Maybach name is synonymous with exclusivity and while the brand was shut a few years back, the German automaker has revived it by launching the Maybach S500 and S600. We take the S600 for a spin to check out what more does it offer over a regular S-Class.

Motor Quest: The Maybach brand was founded in 1909 and it was acquired by the Daimler Group in 1960. From 1997-2013, the brand produced some of the most luxurious vehicles but due to poor sales was shut. Daimler Group now produces an extremely luxurious variant of the Mercedes S-Class and it has been named Maybach.

Exteriors – On the looks front, the Maybach S600 looks quite similar to the regular Mercedes S-Class. The older generation Maybachs used to have a completely different styling and were sold independently under the Daimler umbrella and hence carried Maybach logos all around. The new generation carries the tri-star logo at most of the places while the exclusive Maybach logo sits comfortably on the C-pillar. The B-pillar comes finished in chrome which lends a rich look to the sedan while the chrome trims for the window surrounds complete the premium styling.

Very few elements differentiate the Maybach from the Mercedes S-Class

The S-Class is already a very long car and the Maybach S600 is 207 mm longer than the S. This is quite evident when you look at the car and the extra body length lends the vehicle a very limousine-like look. Look closer and you realise that the bumpers have been given a mild tweak in design while the front grille has also been given a minor nip and tuck redesign. Thanks to the increased wheelbase, the rear seat gets pushed behind and hides behind the small window beside the C-pillar.

The Mercedes-Maybach S600 has a lot of road presence for sure. With its rich styling, beautiful maroon shade and those 19-inch wheels, the luxury sedan looks royal when cruising down our roads. Mercedes also offers 20-inch wheels as an option but we think the 19-inch ones are far better suited here. However, to the layman, the Maybach S600 still resembles a normal S-Class and Mercedes could have really put the Manufaktur logo on the hood and bootlid instead of the C-pillar. Road presence is of course phenomenal thanks to the huge size of the luxo barge.

Interiors – The interiors of the Maybach S600 are again very similar to those of the S-Class. The Mercedes sedan gets brilliant quality materials used everywhere and the Maybach takes it a notch above. I jumped into the rear seat first to experience the comfort and luxury that the vehicle provides. The additional wheelbase is immediately felt as it transforms into extra legroom. The rear seat is very comfortable and provides excellent support. The Nappa leather feels very premium and oozes style. There is an extended leg support available and it gets additional cushioning too for utmost comfort.

Interiors similar to the S-Class boast of more space and better equipment

All the seats get a massage function which will be favoured by the billionaires who buy this car, especially after a hard working day. There is also a Hot Stone massage function but it is useful only when the outside weather is cold, which is just not the case in Mumbai these days. The seats offer heating and cooling options too and it works very nicely. Mercedes offers a refrigerator as an option on the Maybach. The vehicle also gets ambient lighting, Magic Sky Control for the sunroof which gets tinted with the press of a button. There is a thermo cupholder which changes its colour from red to blue depending on whether it is being used for heating or cooling.

For entertainment purposes, the Maybach S600 comes with two large screens at the back and also a Burmester 3D audio surround system that sounds excellent. The driver’s seat gets a lot of adjustment options for back, bolster, under thigh, height supports and the front seats are also immensely comfortable. The AC is an absolute chiller and Mercedes also claims that the cabin of this car is the quietest cabin of any production car in the world. We quite agree with this statement since we experienced the fact that the cabin kept us cocooned away from the outside world. The vehicle gets an AIR BALANCE package that offers four fragrances – Sports, Nightlife, Freeside and Downtown. The driver gets a heads-up display, a split display for the centre console, keyless-GO, COMAND online and Active Park Assist. The front two seats also get a memory function. The Maybach has a 500-litre boot and a lot of space gets eaten up by the spare wheel.

Performance – The Mercedes-Maybach S600 is powered by a stonker of an engine. The 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine belts out a massive 523 HP of power between 4900-5300 RPM and 830 Nm of torque from as low as 1900 RPM, till 4000 RPM. The engine is matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The S600 is heavy but still it manages a 0-100 km/hr timing of 5.04 seconds which is brilliant. The motor has amazing power delivery and it moves the Maybach effortlessly. Start the car, switch to D and a slight throttle input is just what is needed to get the car moving for decent city speeds.

The V12 engine is a truly powerful motor, packs in quite a punch

On the highways, the Maybach S600 showcases what kind of a beast it is. Go full throttle and the car will accelerate ahead like a bullet. The V12 engine is no doubt damn powerful. Still it manages to reach extremely high speeds with a lot of ease and this is quite commendable. Since most users of the saloon will be chauffeur-driven, not many of them will put the V12 to full potential. The engine also loves cruising and it does 100 km/hr in 7th gear at a shade below 1500 RPM.

There are two driving modes to choose from – E and S. The Eco mode is tweaked to give out good power delivery along with decent fuel economy. The vehicle has an auto switch off function where the engine turns itself off if the car has been idling for long, whether at a signal or in heavy traffic. A slight dab on the accelerator pedal is all that is needed to bring it back to life. In Sport mode, the Maybach S600 goes all the way to the redline before changing cogs. The 7-speed gearbox does a smooth job of changing gears but it is a tad slow in its operations. Talking about fuel efficiency, we managed to extract around 4 km/l under hard driving and around 6.5 km/l under sedate cruising. The V12 engine is quite thirsty and the 80-litre fuel tank gives the car a range of around 400 kms.

Driving Dynamics – The Mercedes S-Class has an excellent ride and the Maybach S600 takes things one step ahead. The ride on the Maybach is a notch better than the S-Class. It can glide magically over broken roads, undulations and potholes and while there is a slight thud heard sometimes, overall the Maybach impresses with its ride. The vehicle gets 19-inch wheels as standard while 20-inch wheels are optional. The air suspension does a brilliant job of keeping the passengers comfortable. Magic Body Control is finally available in India too and the system uses a set of cameras that check the road ahead and adjusts the suspension settings accordingly.

Ride is something that Mercedes has really mastered with the S-Class

The suspension has two modes – Comfort and Sport. In Comfort mode, the suspension feels soft and some body roll is induced while in Sport mode the suspension is stiffened up. The steering feel also improves in Sport mode. The steering on the Maybach S600 is well-weighted but it lacks feedback. The vehicle, with its long wheelbase is not meant for aggressive cornering but it still has very predictable handling characteristics. In a straight line, the high-speed stability is top-notch. The car is shod with a staggered wheel setup using Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres which provide very good levels of grip.

Safety and After Sales Service – The Mercedes-Maybach S600 is loaded to the gills with safety features. It comes with gizmos like Adaptive Brake Lights, ATTENTION ASSIST, Brake Assist, Brake wear warning display, ESP, ESP Curve Dynamic Assist, PRE-SAFE IMPULSE, TPMS, Crosswind Assist, Night View Assist Plus and an anti-theft protection package. The vehicle also gets front airbags for the driver and front passenger, sidebags for driver and front passenger (thorax and pelvis bag), sidebags in the rear, windowbag, cushionbags and rear seat beltbags. In terms of service, Mercedes has always had a good reputation in this regard and the company continues serving its customers in an excellent manner.

Verdict – Mercedes has yet another terrific product on their hands with the Maybach S600. The S-Class turned out to be a favourite in its segment and continues to remain the numero uno choice for actors, industrialists, businessmen, etc. and the Maybach is targeted towards those who desire even more exclusivity from the S-Class. The Maybach doesn’t provide much over and above the S350 or S500 and it also doesn’t have the bling factor associated with a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley and many buyers actually like that. The Maybach succeeds in offering top-notch levels of safety, comfort, space, features and a lot more. And for those days when your chauffeur is on a leave, you get to have fun with the massively powerful V12 engine too! The Maybach S500 is priced very close to the Mercedes S-Class while the S600 is definitely more expensive as it comes via the CBU route, in spite of that, Mercedes has already sold out the Maybach for this year, showing the demand for this luxo-barge.

The Mercedes-Maybach S600 should be the perfect choice for someone who wants a little bit more from the S-Class but doesn’t want to spend on a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley.

What’s Cool

* Ultimate benchmark for sophistication and comfort, super quiet cabin
* Loaded with a lot of gizmos for safety, entertainment and exclusivity
* Powerful engine has brilliant performance

What’s Not So Cool

* Looks similar to the regular S-Class

Alternatives: Rolls-Royce Ghost, Bentley Flying Spur

Mercedes-Maybach S600 Specifications

* Engine: 5980cc, V12 bi-turbo, DOHC, 3-valves/cylinder
* Power: 530 HP @ 4900-5300 RPM
* Torque: 830 Nm @ 1900-4000 RPM
* Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
* 0-100 km/hr: 5.04 seconds
* Top Speed: 250 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 4-6 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: AIRMATIC suspension, Crosswind Assist
* Tyres: 245/45/19 (front), 275/40/19 (rear)
* Brakes: All four ventilated discs
* Safety: 12 airbags, ATTENTION ASSIST, Brake Assist, ESP, ESP Curve Dynamic Assist, PRE-SAFE IMPULSE, TPMS

Mercedes-Maybach S600 Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 5453 mm X 1899 mm X 1498 mm
* Wheelbase: 3365 mm
* Turning Radius: 6.45 metres
* Ground clearance: 130 mm
* Boot Volume: 500 litres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 80-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2335 kgs

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

Mercedes S-Class Petrol Review
Mercedes S-Class Diesel Review
Mercedes S600 Guard Review
Mercedes S-Class vs Jaguar XJ
Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe Review