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Maybach prices 62 Landaulet for America at $1.35 million
Click above to view the Maybach 62 Landaulet in hi-res
Okay, it just hit us: eccentric. That's what the Maybach 62 Landaulet is, in a word. In fact, you could apply that to the whole Maybach venture. Like Dennis Hopper said in the Keanu-tastic action flick Speed, "Poor people are crazy, Jack. I'm eccentric." Daimler is evidently hoping that there are enough "eccentric" people in the United States to warrant bringing over the head-scratchingly-strange Maybach 62 Landaulet to the American market.
With trepidation and a considerable measure of revulsion, we've covered the emergence of the Landaulet from the initial rumor, through the preview before the car's unveiling in Dubai (where else), the first video footage, its North American debut and its eventual production confirmation. It's been a long and crazy wind-tousled process, and now comes confirmation that it's coming our way. Oh, and the price? Ultimately confirmed at $1.35 million. That's not a typo, and it's higher even than the highest estimates we received previously. In case you, like us, are wondering who would spend that kind of money on a convertible version of a car that ordinarily costs (an already exorbitant) $433,750, ask Hans-Dieter Mulhaupt, the VP in charge of the Maybach program: "The Landaulet is for a superrich individual who wants something that is extremely extraordinary and enjoys being driven in a car with acres of sky above them." There you have it: "extremely extraordinary", for a million-dollar premium. Check out the images in the gallery below...those are free.
Gallery: Maybach 62 Landaulet
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Will 10:42AM (4/07/2008)
And why not? The other Maybach models are such a success!
Oh, wait... Maybe not...
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8189720 10:49AM (4/07/2008)
I guess when something is so grossly overpriced you only need to sell two to make a huge profit... and I'm not sure how well these new convertible ones will do.
I'd never pay such a hefty premium for a car that looks like it came from the Mercedes parts bin.
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Seoultrain 10:55AM (4/07/2008)
to expand on your Speed quote, from Rat Race:
Donald Sinclair (casino owner): I can do whatever I want. I'm eccentric. Grr!
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Alex 11:04AM (4/07/2008)
even if i was "a superrich individual who wants something that is extremely extraordinary and enjoys being driven in a car with acres of sky above them." I wouldn't even give this car a look. Rich people are *generally* rich because they know how to manage their money. This is an extremely extraordinarily grossly overpriced vehicle.
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White Goodman 11:16AM (4/07/2008)
I think you answered your own question, kinda... this vehicle is targeted towards those rich people who generally aren't rich due to their business acumen but rather thanks to some fortunate circumstances. Whatever the case, Maybach has the right to offer such a product, and God bless them if they can sell a handful.
One thing is for sure, unless you live in Dubai, chances are slim the owners will ever someone else driving - sorry, being driven - in the same car.
John 11:36AM (4/07/2008)
There is a market for these cars. There are people out there who spend $1.35 million like I spend 5 bucks. It's absolutely nothing to them.
Robert Kamanzi 11:40AM (4/07/2008)
"Rich people are *generally* rich because they know how to manage their money" and I assume that's why Rolls-Royce and Bentley are having the best years of their existence. You "become" rich by knowing how to manage your money but then, you can afford to overspend Tha'ts why this car is for the super rich who don't want to buy a regular or lwb Phantom just because they can afford more than the neighbor. It's not because it's the best car for the super rich, it's just because they know it is above the price range of 99% of us (plus don't forget, it's more expensive than the neighbors Phantom).
makfu 11:48AM (4/07/2008)
Anyone who buys this "drug-lord leisure suit" of a car is a tacky, tasteless fool and will surely be derided as such.
There are lots of lovely toys (even a few that are automotive in nature) that are worth 1.35 million dollars. This most certainly isn't one of them.
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Gregg 11:33AM (4/07/2008)
It will no doubt sell in the Gulf, and that is likely the business case for it. They will only make a handful and the exclusivity will be one of its selling points. Doesn't affect the rest of us peons at all.
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John P. 12:10PM (4/07/2008)
I'd take an early 60's Lincoln Convertible with suicide doors over this any day.
Heck, I'd take just about any car over this steaming pile. Having said that, I'm probably just jealous I can't afford such poor taste.
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klitorisaurus 12:16PM (4/07/2008)
Fugly and rediculous! Whoever buys this doesn't deserve the money they have.
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Will Design for Food 12:48PM (4/07/2008)
I see a new Pope-Mobile...
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Aki 1:19PM (4/07/2008)
And still looks less elegant and classy than the Maserati Quatroporte
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Gregg 1:27PM (4/07/2008)
And so? If ever you have those two cars on the same real estate, it is the Laudelet that everyone will be staring at, bad taste or not.
Aki 1:57PM (4/07/2008)
I'd stare at the Maserati over the Maybach any day.
Sherief 1:41PM (4/07/2008)
For that price I better be getting (truck) nuts and at least a couple of whistle tips.
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akatsuki 2:07PM (4/07/2008)
Mercedes resurrected a long-forgotten marque, gave it poor styling and charged an insane amount of money, and they are surprised it failed.
They should can Maybach, pick up Daimler for change and just make a Daimler editions of the S series that are super long wheelbase with some of the frosted-glass, recliner-chair trickiness from Maybach.
I see a couple around Manhattan and always just wonder why they didn't buy a Rolls instead.
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mehugtree 1:14PM (4/08/2008)
the "backseat convertible" configuration reminds me of my 80's 4Runner.
But my 4Runner doesn't have a champagne holder, unfortunately.
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DanMan 2:45PM (4/07/2008)
I guess if exclusivity is worth this much to you great but damn!!! Another way to get exclusivity is to be like me, by a mass market car and drive it for 10 years. By the time you get rid of it you won't have to worry about pulling up next to your twin at a stoplight. LOL
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Guenther 2:44PM (4/07/2008)
I think it would make a dandy wedding limo, but then, a Landaulet coach job on a TC ot DTS would serve us commoners in the Colonies just fine.
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