Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Maybach
Holy Mother of Pearl...Maybach 57S gets new white finish
While the two-tone look of the "standard" Maybach super sedans leaves this writer a bit cold, all is well with the monochrome 57 S. Until now, the sportiest version of DaimlerChrysler's ultraluxury saloon was available in black or silver only, and both look good -- no surprise. The latest addition to the palette, however, is the best, and it'll be on display in Paris later this month.
The Maybach 57 S is now available in "Antiqua White," a pearlescent finish that has a richness befitting a car of this exclusive nature. There's something about the light-colored versions of vehicles like this that communicates wealth better than the darker shades. Similarly-colored Rolls-Royce Phantoms have the same effect. They look as if they cost even more money.
In any case, as casual observers and aficionados who enjoy this sort of thing, we're happy to see that the hottest Maybach is now available in the deluxe white finish. We're sure that our sentiment is shared by the scores of high-profile executives, entertainers, professional athletes, and bazillionaire Saudi oil magnates who will undoubtedly add the 57 S in Antiqua White to their shopping lists. In the case of the Saudis, Maybach had better stock up on paint supplies. Those guys order in bulk.
(Photos, press release after the jump)
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
PRESS RELEASE:
Shining mother-of-pearl finish: Maybach 57 S in a shining white livery
At the 78th International Motor Show in Paris, Maybach is presenting its Model 57 S in a shining white paint finish for the first time. In this way the tradition-laden German luxury brand is meeting the desire of one of its customers for even more individuality. In standard trim the sporty and luxurious Model 57 S is only available with a single-tone paint finish in either black or silver. The shining new "Antiqua White" finish impressively emphasises the dynamic character of this high-end luxury saloon, whose outstanding performance potential particularly captures the enthusiasm of passionate owner-drivers.
The white paint finish of the 57 S is applied in multiple layers by experienced specialists using a highly involved process – there are almost twice as many layers than is usual for other luxury cars. In contrast to conventional paint finishes using just one base paint to provide the colour tone, two different paints are necessary to achieve this incomparable, mother-of-pearl-like sheen – one of these contains mica. This highlighting material is responsible for the particular sheen of the paint finish, which varies slightly depending on the lighting angle and shines especially brightly in sunlight. The paint layers are mainly applied by hand, and several additional layers of clearcoat ensure a highly resistant finish.
"Antiqua White" is available to customers on request, as part of the more than two million Maybach individualisation options.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MattB 12:40PM (9/13/2006)
Still just an overgrown S-Class...
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Noah 1:04PM (9/13/2006)
It's still ugly.
There are so many better ways for the well-heeled to spend oodles of cash. The modern cars lack virtually all of elegant style of the classic Maybachs, although they keep the spirit of technical excellence and obscene curb weights, they simply look like every other expensive German luxobarge.
--Noah
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_O ^ O_ 1:28PM (9/13/2006)
It looks rather normal in white. So, so many buttons on that centre console?
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Hung2 1:28PM (9/13/2006)
Jeeze Louise!!! Are there enough buttons on that console? WTF! Where's the MB variation of iDrive for this overbloated, overpriced, butt sagging hunk of metal?? It's dull.
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Ytik 1:36PM (9/13/2006)
I have never liked the Maybach styling... and my opinion it is not formed from the pictures only, there is one parked almost daily close to my office in Bucharest. It's a 62 and the guy that owns it drives the thing himself (Romanian football club owner).
I admit that it's an amazing engineering achievement and extremely luxurious, but it's a cold, soulless machine and the white color doesn't help it...
If there are any Romanians on autoblog.com, they can read an article about white cars here: http://www.carblog.ro/index.php/2006/09/08/white-is-the-new-black/ (it's in Romanian)
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chris 1:41PM (9/13/2006)
Mercedes must have envisioned this brand to be the most boring luxury car ever made. "Let's make it look like a Mercedes, except longer and three times more expensive! Oh, and let's offer our customers the option to have it come in... WHITE!"
And they wonder why DaimlerChrysler is losing money...
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DPC car videos 2:15PM (9/13/2006)
I just can't stand the back of that car, but the color is nice.
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Q-Tip 2:32PM (9/13/2006)
Meh, white luxobarges scream limo-rental, and the accompanying cargo of sloshed party animals vomiting while basking in the glow of cheap LED lights in the rear.
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ckm 2:35PM (9/13/2006)
Who cares about the console, the people who buy these cars ride in the back....
But, I agree, that is one ugly car. And pearl white has been an option (yes, with four layers of paint) on a number of cars for a while.
Besides, the correct color for a large car like this where people ride in the back is either dark gray or black.
Chris.
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risingsun 3:11PM (9/13/2006)
I agree that pearl white can make a car look more expensive than it is. One prime example for normal cars would be the last generation of Honda Prelude before it's untimely demise. That car looked damn good in pearl white.
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jim 3:49PM (9/13/2006)
You would think for $350K or what ever it cost you could order it in any color you want, even plaid.
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verdegrrl 5:57PM (9/13/2006)
Good luck colour matching that in a few years.
This car makes me wonder if Lexus is copying Mercedes, or the other way around.
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Ford Mustang 6:00PM (9/13/2006)
Wonder how long it'll be before a rapper buys one and chromes it out. Then again, maybe it's already been done.
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Steve J 11:12PM (9/13/2006)
Does any form of the word "hot" and "Maybach" belong in the same sentence? I don't think so.
And you would think for a car that exceeds a quarter of a million, they'd use something other than standard Mercedes switchgear on that console.
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JarryHames 9:54AM (9/14/2006)
OMG! An ugly expensive white car! Yawn.
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car 2:37PM (10/22/2008)
thanks.nice car blog
car-wallpapers1.blogspot.com/2008/10/maybach-57-best-pictures.html
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chadwick 6:56PM (5/14/2009)
I would assume, based on many of the replies, that everyone commenting can't afford this car, and therefore has most likely never seen it in the flesh.
This car is not intended to be a "look-at-me I have money" automobile as say, a rolls royce phantom or a bentley. It's intended for those interested in a silent and ultra-luxurious ride while delivering a message of complete understated authority and prestige.
If you are a banker in manhattan or a mogul, you want to be seen in probably a rolls royce. If you don't feel you need to show off, other than be identified with sheer quiet elegance in a beautiful new england town, the maybach is for you.
But no matter what the brand, the rappers will try to sabotage it. Luckily, we know the more refined echelons of society will be primarily the purchasers of such vehicles -- save for the few parvenu **ggers who will pimp it out to be featured on some atrocious hiphop music video.
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