Detroit 2008: Maybach Landaulet arrives in style

click above for more high-res images of the Maybach Lanaulet
If you'd rather be driven by a chauffeur than get behind the wheel yourself, you might want to check out the Maybach Landaulet that made its North American debut in Detroit this week. The half sedan/half convertible allows for the driver's compartment to be completely closed while the passengers in the rear can enjoy open top motoring. The sky isn't the only luxury available - passengers are treated to supple white leather seating and a full entertainment system with a DVD player 6-disc CD changer, dual television screens, and even a compartment to hold a bottle of champagne and goblets. The rear seats also recline, meaning you can lie back, listen to some tunes, and enjoy the fresh air while you sip on your drink. We'd love a test drive ride, but in some place a little warmer than Detroit.
Gallery: Maybach 62 Landaulet
Maybach Landaulet Study: Only the sky is the limit
- Maybach shows one of the world's most exclusive luxury cars
- Majestic open-air experience with the ultimate in luxury and comfort
- Folding roof for pampered rear-seat passengers
- Appointments in the rear include white leather, piano lacquer and exquisite black granite
Large folding roof for passengers in the rear
In technical terms the Landaulet study is based on the Maybach 62 S – which can claim to be the world's most powerful series-produced chauffeured saloon. Maybach technicians have removed the rear roof module in order to afford passengers an unobstructed view of the sky above. The side walls remain, and have merely been invisibly reinforced with an integral tubular steel structure. As these measures have not altered the silhouette of the luxury saloon, the generously dimensioned doors and the complete interior with its reclining seats remain unchanged.
When closed the black soft-top of the Landaulet rests on the frame formed by the roof bows, and is wind and weather-proof. When requested by the passengers, the chauffeur operates a switch in the centre console. The roof then opens electro-hydraulically and is gently deposited on the parcel shelf in the rear, together with its integral rear window of single-layer safety glass. Opening and closing the roof takes 16 seconds. The chauffeur is able to enclose the folded roof with a fitted leather cover, which both conceals the roof mechanism from view and completes the overall picture of outstanding elegance.
White paintwork and wheels
This impression is accentuated by the shining white paintwork of the study, an exclusive finish named antigua white. Visual highlights are provided by 20-inch wheels specially designed for the Landaulet study. These are also painted in white with high-sheen spokes, and are accompanied by white indicators in the front and rear light clusters in dark red.
Black for the chauffeur, white for the passengers
In addition, the already luxurious driver's compartment of the successful Maybach 62 S has been enhanced in a number of important respects. All the interior trim is now surfaced in black piano lacquer, and for the extensive leather appointments Maybach has used particularly exclusive, glossy stromboli black leather.
In contrast Maybach has fitted the passenger compartment almost completely in exquisite seychelleswhite leather. The footwell and roof liner of this high-end luxury landaulet are also in white – the floor is carpeted in white velour and the roof lined with white fabric. A dramatic contrast is provided by inserts and decorative trim in glossy, black piano lacquer or exclusive black granite with numerous gold inclusions.
Generous spaciousness and first-class comfort
Outstanding comfort is assured by the generous spaciousness of the rear, which the Landaulet study has adopted unchanged from the Maybach 62. Passengers are welcomed into the interior by two large, single seats. These elegant seats also allow even very tall passengers to enjoy a reclining position which travellers normally only encounter in the first-class armchairs of modern passenger jets.
The study is designed as a chauffeured vehicle and features a partition. The upper section of the partition is a glass panel which the passengers can render opaque at the touch of a button, thanks to a liquid crystal membrane embedded in the glass.
Two ultra-modern automatic climate control systems, whose parameters have been adapted to the Landaulet study, ensure that open-air travel remains a pleasure even under adverse climatic conditions.
State-of-the-art entertainment and communications
As in the Maybach 62 S, the rear console is the centrepiece for entertainment, communications and travelling pleasure. This is where Maybach engineers have grouped everything relating to the entertainment and pleasure of the rear-seat passengers: a DVD-player, six CD-changer, a cooler compartment with its own electric compressor and an intelligent system which holds glasses, goblets and champagne bottles safely in position.
Engine and suspension
The Maybach Landaulet study is powered by the uprated V12 engine which Maybach engineers have developed further for the Maybach 57 S and Maybach 62 S together with the specialists at Mercedes-AMG. Thanks to twin turbochargers and water intercooling, the V12 develops a maximum output of 450 kW/612 hp from a displacement of 5980 cubic centimetres. This is continuously available between 4800 and 5100 rpm, and the engine also delivers an impressive maximum torque of 1000 newton metres between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
The electronically controlled air suspension AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) and the Adaptive Damping System (ADS II) endow the Landaulet with outstanding levels of ride comfort, at the same time demonstrating that even a prestigious vehicle such as this can exhibit extraordinary agility and dynamic performance.
In addition to large, internally ventilated brake discs – with twin callipers at the front – both the study and the Maybach 62 S are equipped with two electro-hydraulic Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC™) braking systems working in tandem. Together with ESP®, ASR, ABS and Brake Assist, this provides the Landaulet study with the very latest in effective, high-tech handling control systems.
Innovative technology from the sister-brand Mercedes-Benz
Like all Maybach saloons, the Landaulet also benefits from the unrivalled experience of the sister-brand Mercedes-Benz in the development and production of high-quality cars in the luxury segment. Important innovations from Mercedes-Benz, successfully developed further for the Maybach saloons, are standard equipment in every Maybach and are of course also on board the Landaulet study – examples include the electronically controlled air suspension AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control), LINGUATRONIC voice control and the control and display system COMAND APS.






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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex 11:18AM (1/14/2008)
you are looking at Maybach's latest bomb.
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James 11:31AM (1/14/2008)
The white color is called Antigua White and seems to be very popular among Maybach's.
http://www.sybarites.org/2006/09/13/maybach-57-s-now-availible-in-antiqua-white/
Will 11:20AM (1/14/2008)
Pity the convertible top creates such an unattractive bulge on the decklid.
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John P. 11:28AM (1/14/2008)
Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh my.
Bwhahahahahahahahahaha! Sorry I couldn't help it.
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The Doctor 11:36AM (1/14/2008)
Every time I see a picture of the Launderette I can't help imagining Hitler waving from the back of it...
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Mobius_1 11:51AM (1/14/2008)
The CIA now has an easier way to identify dictators around the world
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Nick 12:08PM (1/14/2008)
That thing is Fugly
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Russell 12:14PM (1/14/2008)
How are the strippers going to take their Marching Powder?
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Andrew 12:26PM (1/14/2008)
Nice!
LoneWolf 12:33PM (1/14/2008)
That is one vehicle I never want to be seen in.
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Mi key 1:41PM (1/14/2008)
Agree with Alex,
So when will the world wave good-bye to Maybach. I predict by 2010.
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Colin Smith 1:55PM (1/14/2008)
First off, Hitler always sat in the front.
Africa is presently a little difficult for dictators, who prefer to stay put in their mansions; Arabs hate the sun, and anyway have more taste; Russians can afford Rolls Royces; and Liberace is dead.
So who exactly is this monstrosity for now that Britney is otherwise engaged?
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Russell 2:16PM (1/14/2008)
Would it be impolite to suggest that this Maybach would be a HUGE hit at the Source Awards?
saloon singer 1:47AM (1/18/2008)
You're right! Goering would sit in the back.
Harajoshi 3:00PM (1/14/2008)
America had concentration camps too for Japanese and German... and to that Holocaust-thing: Today there are still 200,000 Holocuast-survivers alive. I can't believe human can kill human so massively. And I think Holocaust is a lie. If you get yourself some info over it, you'll be pretty impressed how much of the Holocaust-histories just cannot be true, physical and chemical. There also died six million german civilists from the bombs of the allied and the russian army. That maybach is ugly. I only like the short version.
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John P. 6:08PM (1/14/2008)
ouch, what kind of drugs are you on?
lUp 6:41PM (1/14/2008)
actually, here in Germany denying the Holocaust is considered a crime that will end you up in jail.
You're most likely living in a foreign country, where the Holocaust is apparently a one time occurring subject in history classes. You might went through 3 months of it (if you even attend any of the classes, what I doubt).
Over here in Germany you're taught, that denying or forgetting the Holocaust will result in similar situations in the future, therefore you're going through it many times in history classes and everyday media. So, I can tell you, that this, the darkest episode in german history, took place as it is taught, no doubt about it.
Den in IN 2:38PM (1/14/2008)
Man, stuff like this started the French Revolution. I'd feel like a target in something this ostentatious. Dennis RODMAN might like it though.
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Farris 3:46PM (1/14/2008)
I feel sorry for the butlers, to be honest.
They hear that their employer is getting a convertible, and get excited because they get to drive an open air car, then they find out that its actually the Landaulet... and they don't get the drop-top experience.
:-(
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010111 6:38PM (1/14/2008)
i hope someone guts the backseats and makes a bitchin' El Camino out of one.
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