One Week Drive: Mercedes Maybach S560

"Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib)
03/02/2019 at 23:44 • Filed to: Maybach, Mercedes S560, will alibrandi

All photos (and knees): Will Alibrandi

If you happen to be the type of individual who prefers vehicles with presence , the Mercedes Maybach is just the car you want. Representing the ne plus ultra of Mercedes’ lineup, the Maybach takes the already impressive S-class and turns it up to eleven. This review is a bit of a departure however due to the nature of the Maybach - it is not a driver’s car, but rather a car to be driven in. So we’ll dispense with the customary road test metrics as they’re somewhat less important than the creature comforts. Which are pretty incredible. ( But its 0-60 in 4.7 seconds (Car&Driver) is pretty amazing for a 5,000lb land yacht )

Up front there’s little to differentiate from the pedestrian S-class (is there even such a thing?); acres of wood and leather with two huge digital displays for the driver’s gauges and HVAC/entertainment system. Even the diamond pattern on the seat covers and dash is available on the S-class. But if you need to be reminded that you spent an extra $79k over the S450, the steering wheel has a small engraved Maybach on the bottom spoke.

The night vision, when activated, reconfigures the dash display

The back seat of the Maybach is the beneficiary of the 8-inch stretch to the S-class’ chassis, and a real nice place to be on a long drive. Power up the 13-speaker Burmester audio system, recline the seat and activate heat & massage and enjoy the ride. Taking up a good percentage of roof real estate is MB’s Magic Sky Control; a fancy name for the sunroof that dims electronically but doesn’t open. The back doors have control switches for not only windows, but privacy screens on the doors and rear window so cocooning yourself in back is as simple as the touch of a button. Or two.

Yours truly, at 6' had more room than should be possible in a car

On the road you’d have to be pretty sharp to pick out a Maybach from a lesser S-class, and that’s the car’s raison d’etre; luxury without being ostentatious. Let those who want to stand out drive a Bentley or Rolls, this car is for flying under the radar - as much as that is possible in something this big.

64 interior lighting colors to choose from, but who doesn’t love purple?

DISCUSSION (10)

His Stigness > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
03/03/2019 at 00:08

Pure understated elegance.

That's the epitome of fuck you money. You have so much you make sure you don't flaunt it while having a nicer car than the show offs in their Rolls 7 Series or a Bentley A8.

Svend > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
03/03/2019 at 00:23

I like the Maybach, though I’d take a 62 with the wall and privacy glass.

4kc > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
03/03/2019 at 00:24

How are the seats compared to the s550 designo?

Chariotoflove > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
03/03/2019 at 01:12

To me, t he most c urious position in a car like this is the front passenger seat. The driver seat is for the driver. The back seat is for the owner. As kids, we are always conditioned to call “shot gun!” as the best seat in the car. Here though, that’s all turned on its ear. I guess the front passenger seat is just for the bodyguard?

Stopcallingmesir > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
03/03/2019 at 02:00

Chromed b-pillar is instant crackpipe

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
03/03/2019 at 07:33

I’m honestly surprised it doesn’t come with a partition to separate the passenger from the driver, like in a limo.

Also, more cars and especially SUVs should come with reclining seats.

V12 Jake II- New and Improved! > 4kc
03/03/2019 at 09:29

The model shown above has the designo quilted leather so if an S550 is equipped with that you’ll have the same experience there. The Maybach will ride a bit better on account of its Magic Body Control suspension, which is standard on the Maybach but again optional on the S550. It will be more quiet in the Maybach as they doubled down on the sound deadening for that car. Also the Burmester 3D sound stereo (identifiable by the rotating tweeter grilles in the doors) is also available on the S550.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > V12 Jake II- New and Improved!
03/03/2019 at 12:48

I have a cell phone video of the rotating tweeters in the car. It’s another one of those Cool Things about this car.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > His Stigness
03/03/2019 at 12:51

The Rolls and Bentley crowd do get nicer interiors, but to me the value of the Maybach is its low-key presence.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Stopcallingmesir
03/03/2019 at 14:31

For $2500 I’m sure MB can delete it for you.

Oh wait, that’s Porsche..