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The rumormill looks to have been accurate. Maybach will publicly unveil the Landaulet at the Middle East International Auto Show later this month. Based on the Maybach 62 S sedan and powered by its 612-horsebower biturbo V12, the Landaulet's front seats are fully enclosed and separated from the rear passenger compartment by a removable divider. Back seat passengers, however, get a sliding soft roof that lets them take in the sun from the comfort of the trick Barcaloungers that pass for back seats in the Maybach. The chauffeur's area is is finished in black leather, while the rear is done in all white with piano black and gold-flecked black granite inserts. Also, the opacity of that glass partition separating the driver from the passengers can be electronically controlled.

When it's revealed in Dubai, it'll be billed as a concept. Despite that title, it's completely reasonable to expect that the rumored 20-vehicle production run is an absolute lock, given that the car's guaranteed to be sold at pretty much any price Daimler chooses to ask for it (read: they can make it profitable). For the oil-rich sheiks likely to be snapping them up, money is not a concern. They see things they like, they want them, and they acquire them. It'll be no different with the Landaulet. These people buy new widebody jets for personal use. You think a super-expensive car's going to give them pause?

[Source: Daimler]