Maybach has lashings of luxury

YOU'RE looking at the first of a new breed of super-luxury cars that will land here from 2003 onwards.

The Maybach - built by Mercedes-Benz - will herald the arrival of high-tech, mega-opulent flagships offered by the leading German manufacturers. It will be followed by the new BMW-built Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen Group's proposed Mid-Size Bentley.

Maybach will be launched internationally late next year, but we will not see it until mid-2003, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia passenger car product manager Andrew Harlock.

"We've still got a few issues regarding production and availability," he said. "We're looking at 10 vehicles in the first year or so, but the potential market is bigger." Mr Harlock said the Maybach would be offered in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions, with motivation provided by a newly developed V12 engine with twin turbochargers.

This powerplant is claimed to deliver "superior performance while also meeting the high comfort requirements of the new car brand".

Maybach's pricing will take the German car-maker into new territory.

"It will be priced from $700,000 to $900,000 because it's so individual. Buyers will be able to build up the car according to their tastes," Mr Harlock said.

"The car oozes luxury and is very advanced technically." But Mr Harlock said discussions with Germany to determine more precise pricing were yet to be conducted. He said the logistics of how the car would be retailed were also yet to be worked out.

"We can't expect every dealership to have one, so we are considering flying potential buyers to Germany, Japan, Hong Kong or the US so they can see the car as well as things like the different types of leather for the interior," he said.

Potential buyers will not refer to a catalogue or list of standard equipment instead, "a detailed exchange of ideas will first take place between the customer and a customer consultant," says the manufacturer.

Maybach buyers will be able to choose from a range of the finest materials, exclusive colours and innovative technical details, ranging from individually designed trim, through inlaid work, to high-specification business equipment in the rear.

This means every example of the new Maybach is a "unique, valuable, custom-made piece".

A purpose-built Maybach service centre is planned in Sindelfingen, Germany, with the laying of the foundation stone taking place this year.

Development work on the Maybach is in the hands of the best engineers at the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Sindelfingen, which means the new brand benefits from a smooth transfer of expertise.

In areas such as safety, reliability, functionality and long service life, the Maybach will offer tried and tested Mercedes qualities, according to the manufacturer.