The Distinguished Dynasty of Maybach - A Brand Story of Excellence

The Maybach has been revered as the epitome of luxurious mobility for many a generations. Today, Mercedes-Maybach is regarded as a trailblazer of luxury precision engineering and immaculate style. Exquisite craftsmanship and elegant comfort coalesce into a state-of-the-art travel experience, entrancing all senses. Let’s take a look at the journey of the brand, from its origin and its founding in 1909 till today.

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Through the sands of time

An odyssey

1846

The German automaker, Wilhelm Maybach was born in Heilbronn in a family of carpenters.

1861

At the age of 15, Wilhelm started working at the machine building factory in Reutlingen excelling at the design bureau and the practical workshops. The director of this factory, Gottlieb Daimler, noticed Wilhelm’s abilities and efficient work ethics. Later, Daimler invited Wilhelm to move to Karlsruhe with him to produce internal combustion engines (ICE) for the company he worked for, Deutz.

1882

Daimler ventured to Bad Cannstatt to open his own business of compact, lightweight engines uniquely designed for transport. The 36-year-old Wilhelm Maybach decided to join his companion. In a year, Wilhelm had created his own stationary (ICE).

1889

As Maybach unceasingly strived for perfection and modernization of the pre-existing, the first V shaped two-cylinder engine was born. Premiering at the Paris World Exhibition, the replacement of the conventional belt gear with the advanced gear was patented and declared to be a commercial success.

1899

Maybach’s four-cylinder Phoenix Engine, complete with patented hydraulic brakes, was installed in a racing car created by Emil Jellinek, the Ambassador of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Nice. Acting under his daughter’s name, Mercedes, Jellinek won the Nice-La Turbie mountain race, dominating the week of the Spring 1901. Wilhelm Maybach was hailed as "Roi des Constructeurs" – "King of designers”.

1900

Gottlieb Daimler passed away. Wilhelm Maybach left the company to join Count Zeppelin in exploring the potential of his vision of mobility in skies.

1909

The founding of the Maybach Motorenbau GmbH. The engine-building company, led by Karl Maybach under the direction of Wilhelm as lead consultant, was opened on the shore of Lake Baden in Friedrichshafen. The engines constructed were so impressive, they powered aircrafts, ships, tanks and even the “Flying Hamburger” locomotive.

1921

The first model of the futuristic-legendary Maybach W3 was built and presented at the Berlin Motor Show. The luxury vehicle catered to only the high society clientele - kings and industry leaders, prominent athletes and top stars.

The W3 truly was an advanced accomplishment of luxury engineering; it featured brakes on all four wheels and had an impressively unique gear shift.

1929

Introduction of the Maybach 12 with an automatic transmission and a 12-cylinder-engine.

Wilhelm Maybach, the originator of fine engines and the designer of mobile luxury escapes, passed away in 1929.

The 1930s

The Maybach 12 rebranded as Maybach DS7 as the Zeppelin badge was introduced between the two headlamps. This car of exquisite design and intricate engineering, cost equal to the average monthly wages of a thousand German labourers at that time. The Maybach DS 8 with a further powerful engine and five speed gear box (with two reverse gears) was dubbed as the “representative of the highest automotive society.”

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The SW line of Maybach cars was built to provide improved travel comfort with smaller, easier to drive engines and were released at scaled down prices. The stately line included the SW35 and SW48 deemed now, as Maybach Classics.

1940s

Some of the most infamous tanks of the Second World War - Panzers and Tigers - were armed with Maybach engines. Even after the war, the factory never went back to the production of luxury cars.

1960

The Maybach Motorenbau GmbH was acquired by Daimler. The company handmade special editions of Mercedes cars that carried the Mercedes badge and serial numbers. It took another 40 years before the luxury rides of Maybach returned to the market.

2002-2013

In the autumn of 2002, Maybach returned, emerging to renew the long standing heritage of excellence and finesse in luxury automobiles. The first car to be introduced was the Maybach 57, indulging the clientele that preferred to sit behind the wheel. Simultaneously, the Maybach 62 was presented for those patrons who would rather luxuriate in the spacious back seat. The high-performance sports car, Maybach Exelero was unveiled in 2005. The Maybach Landaulet was revealed in 2007 and the Maybach Guard appeared in the market in 2011.

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Unfortunately, despite the rigorous efforts of Daimler AG, the legendary luxury car brand could not be revived. Maybach couldn’t withstand the competition from rival brands like Rolls Royce and Bentley. Additionally, to manufacture one Maybach cost almost as much as the price of the car leading to diminished profits and nil capital to continue production.

2014-2020

Source : https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-maybach-gls-600-arrives-rival-bentley-bentayga

In 2014, Mercedes-Benz acquired Maybach and a sub-brand Mercedes-Maybach was established. A new chapter in automotive history, the Mercedes-Maybach S-class models were revealed. Many limited editions and niche models such as Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman and the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Cabriolet were introduced. Models for ultra stylish luxury like the Mercedes-Maybach 6 that reinterpret classic, emotional designs into a philosophy of sensual purity were unveiled. In November 2019, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, the first SUV for the luxury brand, was launched expanding their portfolio by combining technical designs with a luxury saloon car. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4matic is set to enter the market in the second half of 2020.

“Create the very best from the very best”

The Maybach philosophy

The brand has been through countless highs and lows through the ages and has established itself as the maestro of fine engineering, flawless craftsmanship and an uncompromising attention to detail. Wilhelm Maybach’s philosophy of “create the very best from the very best” is faithfully followed as Mercedes-Maybach continues to constantly reinvent itself.

In 2018, more Mercedes-Maybach S-Class cars were sold than ever before: one in seven S-Class models sold was a Maybach. The innovations in automobile technology and strong affinity for timeless luxury and style, makes the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class so popular. The exquisite automobile comes with Maybach specific features like the legendary two-tone paintwork, nine different colour combinations, reclining seats in the rear and an electro-transparent sliding roof.

Design and Innovation

The Maybach Way

Source : https://www.mbscottsdale.com/blog/luxury-of-the-future-vision-mercedes-maybach-6-cabriolet-photo-gallery/

Just a peek at the sophisticated limousine created by Mercedes-Maybach reinforces the elegance of magnificent presence. Their exceptional design and personalization choices create an atmosphere of individuality through self-expression. Their eternal quest for modernizing luxury leads to technological enhancements that can be depicted through the look of the automobile - an all-leather roof liner with an LED light band creates a sense of futuristic travel. The impressive exterior of the Maybach offers a perfect blend of stylish mobility and luxurious efficacy. The striking front multi beam LED headlamps punctuated by chrome accessorizing and the radiator grill with its fine, vertical struts set a handsome, dominating tone emphasizing status of the owner. One of the many modification options provided Mercedes-Maybach also include alternative interiors. On request, the interiors can be transformed to leather-free by using vegan materials.

Sensational Encounters

The Sense of Maybach

The multi-sensory experience accomplished by the Mercedes-Maybach is the ultimate symbol of the luxury life. The Maybach interiors are bundled into six definite programs that can be energized through comfort control. The characteristic fragrance of white osmanthus blossoms, rounded off by an ethereal leather scent and spicy tea is a blend of natural greenery that soothes and rejuvenates. The comfortable reclining rear seats come with massage functions that maximize pleasure and relaxation. The welcome feeling of expansive spaciousness grant room for an exclusive lounge with champagne flutes in together with a multifunctional working environment with a folding desk.

State-of-the-art Sustainability

The Responsible Maybach Enterprise

The Mercedes-Maybach team aims to achieve more with less. While developing Mercedes-Benz vehicle, each model’s individual components and materials are analysed to evaluate their propriety for recycling. Each car model encompasses of materials that are 85% recyclable and 95% reusable according to ISO 22 628. The brand develops novel materials and elements that could reduce the strain on the environment while exploring new sources of renewable energy to incorporate into their creations.

Designed to Distinguish

Icons of Maybach Luxury

The brand ventures into an extension of its portfolio by crafting luxury lifestyle touchpoint that their patrons may engage with, by collaborating with “Maybach - Icons of Luxury” as their licensing partner. Maybach Eyewear, merchandise handmade in Germany, are crafted from rare and precious materials - finest leathers, precious woods, natural horn from the Asian water buffalo, and even pure gold and dazzling diamonds. Other merchandising endeavours include saddlery, leather bags and home accessories.

Source : http://www.maybach-luxury.com/

The “Circle of Excellence” is an exclusive membership program that conducts unique events such as joint tours or test drives with new vehicles. The membership also provides opportunities to connect personally with Mercedes-Maybach artistes, and offers insights into Mercedes-Benz production locations.

The Mercedes-Maybach automobiles, truly are, Luxury - in its purest form.