MAYBACH 57 Spezial (W240) 2006-2012 Photos, engines & full specs

Mercedes-Benz tried to revive the Maybach brand and compete against Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and it did that by introducing the 57 Spezial at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.

The three-pointed-star brand already knew that it could make more profit with an expensive car than with a lower-priced one. In addition, it counted on the same platform already developed for the S-Class W140, which was already praised for its qualities. But things didn't go exactly the way Mercedes-Benz wanted to.

Maybach's design team was forced to use the same design proportions as on the S-Class, and the result was disappointing for those who waited long for the German carmaker to create something unique. It looked like a regular S-Class that went through a specialized tuning shop. The headlights were different, but they somehow resembled those installed on the E-Class (W211), which was odd. Not even the big, chromed grille with vertical slats and the double-M badge on the hood could save the appearance. Yet, the two-tone bodyworks (offered as an option) was something that Mercedes didn't provide for the S-Class.

Regardless of the car's exterior, the interior was nothing short of a high-end luxury vehicle. From the heated and cooled ventilated front seats to the power rear seats, it was all about comfort and luxury. The carmaker went even further and offered the customer the option of absolute customization for the interior colors and features. Things like a refrigerator, TV, premium sound system, and more were provided and backed up by the factory's warranty.

Under the hood, Maybach 57 relied on the 6.0-liter V12 powerplant hand-built by the wizards from AMG. It was paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox that sent the power to the rear wheels only.