Maybach 62 S: World's most powerful chauffeur-driven saloon

Maybach, the luxury brand with a legendary past, re-established just four years ago, is adding a fourth variant to its line-up in the shape of the newly developed 62 S model. The new flagship model in the Maybach range premieres this week at the "Auto China 2006" international motor show in Beijing and is primarily designed to be chauffeur-driven and meets the very highest of standards in terms of spaciousness, smoothness, comfort and dynamism. The "S" stands for "Special" and the engineers at the Maybach workshops have incorporated a number of specially developed features, most notably the power output of the car which has been enhanced with a twelve-cylinder engine developing 450 kW/612 hp. The end-result is a new dimension in travelling comfort, particularly for the passengers in the generously proportioned rear compartment of the new high-end luxury saloon. Pricing starts at UKP260,535 (US$495,000)

Prominent exterior features accentuate the dynamism of the new Maybach 62 S and clearly distinguish it from the 62 model. These include a modified front end with a redesigned radiator grille as well as new, distinctive 20-inch wheels and a modified light-cluster design. Like the 57 S model, the new Maybach 62 S has single-tone paintwork in black or silver, both of which are available exclusively for the "S" models. Discreet "62 S" lettering adorns the front wings beneath the A pillars and the boot lid.

This dynamic and elegant appearance puts the Maybach 62 S in a league of its own when it comes to luxurious chauffeur-driven cars.

The contemporary Maybach interpretation of luxury and comfort is also reflected in the interior of the 62 S, where the highest quality materials are hand-finished to give a distinctive and exclusive look.

Carefully coordinated applications of exquisite piano lacquer and sporty carbon or anthracite poplar create an elegant atmosphere both in the rear compartment and in the driver's direct field of vision. Newly designed, high-grade leather upholstery tastefully accentuates this overall impression.

An effortlessly superior performance comes courtesy of a Mercedes-AMG-enhanced V12 engine developing 45 kW/62 hp more than the engine in the Maybach 62. The twelve-cylinder engine in the Maybach 62 S has a displacement of six litres and an output of 450 kW/612 hp by virtue of a twin turbocharger and a water-type intercooler. The impressive maximum torque of 1000 Nm (electronically limited) is available over a wide engine speed range between 2000 and 4000 rpm. With acceleration from zero to 62 mph in only 5.2 seconds, the new Maybach 62 S impressively demonstrates its outstanding performance potential. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

The exclusivity of the twelve-cylinder powerplant is underlined by a model plate on the cover bearing the signature of the Mercedes-AMG technician who assembled it by hand.

In contrast to the sportier configuration of the 57 S, which features a stiffer and lower chassis, the Maybach engineers have retained the full spring travel for the 62 S in order to achieve an outstanding level of ride comfort.

The Maybach 62 S sets new standards at the high end of the passenger car market and also continues the tradition of the legendary Maybach saloons which represented the elite in German and international carmaking circles in the 1920s and 1930s.