I don’t know about you but for mine Maybach lost some of its je ne sais quoi when it returned to the mothership.
Launched as a concept back at the 1997 Tokyo motor show Daimler-Chrysler predicted annual sales of 2000 cars worldwide, with the return from the dead of the once great marque — 50 per cent of them from the United States.
Unfortunately these figures never eventuated and Daimler was finally forced to admit defeat in 2011, when it confirmed Maybach would cease to be a separate brand by 2013.
The last standalone Maybach was built in December 2012.
Now essentially a super duper version of the Benz S-Class, the cars are targeted at the likes of the Bentley Mulsanne and Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Benz has just taken the wraps off a new, “enhanced” version that is set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
It sports a new radiator grille, optional two-tone paintwork and new exclusive color combinations in the interior ensure an even more distinguished look.
The grille is a reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille with its fine, vertical struts.
Said to be inspired by a pinstriped suit, it first made an appearance in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, the coupe that thrilled fans at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2016.
The two-tone exterior paint is now available in nine different color combinations.
A double clear coat is available as a further new option for all dark colors, that creates a brilliant piano lacquer effect with a special impression of depth.
The second bodywork clear coat, including intermediate sanding, is intricately applied by hand in the Maybach Manufaktur by specially trained varnishers.
The exterior look of the top model is rounded off by a new, luxury 20-inch multi-spoke wheel.
Two new exclusive color combinations are offered for the interior: Armagnac Brown/Black and Savanna Beige/Black.
The black Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery appointments can also be ordered with a choice of copper-, gold- or platinum-colored contrasting top stitching.
A newly available trim option is also available in designo Magnolia flowing lines.
