First look: Maybach airs its laundry

DAIMLER has unveiled a “Landaulet” version of its Maybach, bringing an open-top experience to its million-dollar luxury sedan.

Described as a “one-off study” for now, the Landaulet is based on the 62 S model variant and, as its title suggests, features a folding hood over the rear seats.

True to tradition, the roof can be opened fully at the rear while the chauffer’s compartment remains enclosed.

The roofline and the side structure, including the doors and pillars, remain unchanged but steel reinforcements have been integrated to cope with the removal of the rear roof section.

When closed, the electro-hydraulic roof (which includes black fabric outside and a glass rear window) lies on a frame formed by the roof bows. After the 16 seconds required for opening the lid, the roof comes to rest on the parcel shelf. It can then be enclosed in a leather cover, which conceals the roof mechanism.

There is a glass partition between the passenger compartment and cockpit that can be rendered opaque at the touch of a button (a liquid crystal membrane is embedded in the glass). The climate-control system has also been modified to cope with the open-air travel requirements.

White is the predominate theme inside and out. The two individual reclining rear seats are upholstered in “Seychelles” white leather, the roof is lined with white fabric and the floor is carpeted in white velour. For contrast, trim inserts can be ordered in piano-black lacquer or black granite with gold flecks.

Outside, the paintwork is finished in “Antigua white”, high-sheen white paint adorns the 20-inch wheels and white indicators are used in the front light clusters.