The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Is Business Class For The Road

When an S-Class is Not Enough

As far as flagship sedans go, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is still a highly-regarded benchmark among its peers. While it's not as groundbreaking as previous generations due to the faster pace of tech, it's still a highly desirable sedan.

But for those who think that the S-Class still isn't enough, there's the Mercedes-Maybach version to fulfill those needs. Short of a Rolls-Royce, this German limousine is one of the most opulent cars you can buy today. A failed experiment at first, the Maybach is now a firm staple in the Mercedes range and has expanded into more models.

More Decadent than Ever

Mercedes has released more details on the updated Maybach S-Class, and there are several worth mentioning. In a car like this, most of the focus is on the back seats, and the company boldly claims that it's a 'haven of tranquility.'

Business-class style seats are available in the car, but we say it's the one to go for. After all, if you're spending that much money on a car, you might as well go all out. The standard setup is a pair of 13.1-inch touchscreens at the back, along with individually configurable remote controls. Of course, the silver-plated champagne flutes from Robbe & Berking are present here, as is the wine chiller.

Go for the airplane-style seats, and you'll be cocooned in maximum comfort on the road. Leg rests? Present. Leg extenders are here, too, along with a pop-out tray table, massagers, heating and cooling, and so much more. All in all, it's perfect for those who like the Emirates business-class experience when traveling on the road. The only thing missing would be meal service.

A Sense of Occasion

Aside from the rear seats, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is probably better trimmed than most houses, matching the multi-million-dollar villas the owners inevitably have. The near-infinite configurations let you add open-pore wood, gold linings, exclusive and bespoke embroidery, and ambient lighting. Pillows? Of course it's there, too. Besides, you're paying over $200,000 for a luxury car, so it better come with those. Mind you, the cabin is trimmed in vegan leather, as part of Mercedes' social responsibility measures.

As this is modern luxury, there's no shortage of screens inside. It's up to the chauffeur to figure it out, but those who own it will miss out on all the tech it offers. The 14.4-inch infotainment screen takes center stage, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and another 12.3-inch display for the passenger.

From the outside, it gets a different grille from that of a standard S-Class, along with more distinctive styling details. Most obviously, it gets a whopping wheelbase stretch, so it's impossible to mistake the Maybach for a garden-variety S500.

V12 Power Still Available

Outside of Europe, the Mercedes-Maybach S680 packs a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, producing 621 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. It's one of the few V12 sedans left in the world, and we should consider ourselves lucky, as even the home market model can't be specified with one. Instead, the European S680 gets a twin-turbo V8 with mild hybridization, and output is down to 603 hp and 626 hp.

As for the 'base' S580, it comes with the new flat-plane-crank, twin-turbo V8, producing 530 hp and 553 lb-ft. There's also the eco-friendly option in the form of the S580e, swapping the V8 for an electrified inline-six. It may have dropped two cylinders, but the output is higher than the V8, at 577 hp and 553 lb-ft. All Maybach S-Classes come with 4Matic all-wheel drive.

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