Maybach soldiers on with extended model range - hybrid coming

Just 20hp to hump that barge about in electric only mode? That is not a lot, is it? I can't imagine how slowly this think will travel. Perhaps it's optimised to a speed whereby hoi polloi can see the dignitary waving from inside.

i dont care want anyone says lol maybach is the best :-)

The headlights are notoriously overdone.

9 gears.. sheesh.. one more and it might as well be a mountain bike..

The electric motor has just enough electricity to power the in-car entertainment and maybe the air-con

For me the Maybach is considerably more superior than contemporary Rolls Royces and Bentleys in terms of class, if you think of the lifestyle requirements of maintaining the "Maybach image", you simply have to have a lot in the bag to add a Maybach to your life. Whereas an investment banker can "reward" himself with a Flying Spur or Phantom after a particularly good year, without everybody asking 'Is your driver off today'...

The new car is still going to be based on outgoing S- Class, a real "legit" competitor to Rolls, and Bentley, when these flagship cars (Mulsanne and Phantom) are independently designed from ground up

...AOS Continental Bentley is based on the Passat. Rolls phantom has 7 series software and chassis ridg?es... Basically my point is that the Maybach is more purpose-built than versatile which is crucial at this level, Bentley and Rolls is like 2-in-1 Mont Blanc Pen/pencil writing instrument, and that my friend is not ?ber.

Pismeov... Well sure thanks for correction , however the phantom Does have modified BMW I-Drive system software...

The S550 is said to ride as well or better than a Bentley or Rolls. Still a new S-class will come out by 2013-14, so a Maybach based on that car would be more better. I expect the Next Maybach will be a bit better than the current one in terms of handling, ride and style, non the less. As for image, I don't really care, I think I'd prefer an A8 over these cars, not that these cars don't have charm.

Anyone that has gone to an auto show and had the opportunity to sit in a Maybach knows the truth, there is no comparison to the Maybach. Rolls and Bentley cannot even come close in design, quality, comfort, and features. If they make a coupe it will king of be pointless from the Maybach essence point of view where it's a limousine and all the comfort is in the back, but it will do good for sales.

Why would the next gen. Maybach be based on the outgoing W221 S-class? One of the major issues with the current gen. Model is the fact that it looks like a 'souped-up' W220 ...it's not really distinctive enough (styling-wise) from the regular S class. The maybach became dull the very moment the W221 hit the streets...but i still believe it's a better ride than the rr phantom.

The Maybach is, hands down, the superior product between Arnage and Phantom (though FAR less "emotional" in presentation). Haven't been in/under (or even seen) a Mulsanne yet so thats moot. The Maybach (W/V240) bases its mechanical architecture off of Mercedes' W140 S-class of 92-99 (US), and the electrical architecture off of the W220 S-class. I'm not surprised Mercedes is choosing to "build-up" a W221 architecture versus scaling down a new Maybach architecture for the W222; seeing how Maybach doesn't make any profit in sales, but gets residual kick-backs from Mercedes for using its patents. Can't wait for the 4-door convertible though. The swanky styling is EXACTLY what Maybach needs. They take themselves WAY too seriously...

Guys, make no mistake the Maybach is a highly misunderstood brand, but once Daimler Mercedes get it right, Rolls Royce and Bentley should worry! However, though this roofless concoction may be a step in the right direction, they need to think more Exelero; driver's car rather than chauffeur's paradise.