Mercedes-Benz Maybach: The future luxury limousine begins its worldwide practical trials

• First test drives with prototypes commence in December of this year

• Stylish elegance and trailblazing state-of-the-art technology

• Exclusive appointments and interior design to customer specifications

• Custom shop production at the Sindelfingen plant

Stuttgart – Just three years after presentation of the design study at the Tokyo Motor Show, the first of more than 20 prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz Maybach are ready to go and will begin their worldwide practical trials in early December 2000. Mercedes engineers have already been testing the suspension and drive systems of this future luxury limousine concealed within the bodywork of modified test cars for some considerable time. At the end of 2002 the first models of this unique, top-class automobile will be delivered to Mercedes customers.  

"The design study of October 1997 has led to one of the most ambitious develop-ment projects in the entire automobile industry. With the help of our experienced engineers and designers we shall be offering our customers an automobile which will meet the highest expectations in terms of style, appointments, comfort and technology", says Professor Jürgen Hubbert, the member of the Daimler-Chrysler AG Board of Management with responsibility for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and smart. 

Double name: Homage to a designer of genius

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach continues the great tradition of representative luxury saloons bearing the three-pointed star, while pointing the way to the future with numerous technical innovations. The illustrious double name symbolises the unique role of this future top-of-the-range automobile, which will be produced by the world's oldest car maker in honour of its inspired chief designer Wilhelm Maybach (1846–1929), who was for may years a close friend and companion of Gottlieb Daimler. The world is indebted to Maybach for many automotive engineering inventions, and the first Mercedes is acknowledged to have been his brainchild.

Appointments: Tailor-made according to the customer's requirements

The top variant of the Mercedes-Benz Maybach will have an overall length of ap-proximately six metres and offer every imaginable comfort and refinement – from a complete business package to innovative entertainment systems. On request Mer-cedes-Benz will also supply this top-class limousine with a shorter wheelbase. By virtue of a unique standard of luxury and spaciousness, timeless styling, exclusive materials and perfect workmanship, both model variants will be incomparable automotive "personalities". 

Mercedes-Benz will enable customers to configure "their" Mercedes-Benz Maybach to their individual requirements with respect to materials, colours, appointments and technical features, assisted by engineers and designers, in a new building which is under construction at the Sindelfingen plant. Each example of this luxury limousine will therefore be an exclusive and thoroughly unique specimen.

Technology: A powerful V12 engine and innovative air suspension

The technical highlights of the luxury limousine include a newly-developed, par-ticularly powerful bi-turbocharged twelve-cylinder engine, whose practical trials have also already commenced, and an air suspension system which has been spe-cifically developed to provide maximum comfort in this top-class automobile. Thanks to seminal new developments the Mercedes-Benz Maybach will also set new standards in noise and climatic comfort.  

Production: Custom shop assembly at the Mercedes plant in Sindelfingen

The future top-of-the-range model by Mercedes-Benz will bear the quality dis-tinction "Made in Germany": production of the luxury limousine will commence during the second half of 2002 in the tradition-steeped surroundings of the Mer-cedes plant in Sindelfingen, where new production facilities akin to a custom shop are being installed specifically for the Mercedes-Benz Maybach.

source: Mercedes-Benz