MAYBACH 57 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

In 2002, the brand Maybach returned to the car industry.

The former ultra-luxury vehicle was back on the market aiming directly to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but with more technology displayed.

In 2009, the German car-maker introduced a new version for its already known Maybach 57 model: the 57 Zeppelin. It was a tribute for the former air-ship glory that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, equipped with Maybach engines. It was the most luxurious way to travel in the world.

Traditionally, most of the Maybach vehicles were built by independent coachbuilders based on a Maybach chassis. 80% of the pre-WWII Maybach cars didn't feature a Maybach bodywork. But the economy had changed and the Maybach 57 was built by Mercedes-Benz. From the outside, the 2009 57 Zeppelin model featured a two-tone paint. The beltline was painted right through to the background of the headlamp assemblies in the Rocky Mountains light brown, in contrast to the Taiga black finish used for the rest of the vehicle body. By special order, the customers could choose whatever color they wished.

Inside, the Maybach 57 featured the most luxurious cabin offered in a passenger car. For the arrangement of the interior, Maybach customers could choose between six grand Nappa leather colors and piano-black wood trim. The door panels were engraved with the “ZEPPELIN” word. A special fragrance was designed for the interior, which was sent through the ventilation system.

The engine was a 6.0-liter V12 with three valves per cylinder and bi-turbocharged was a carryover from the Maybach 57S. It delivered 640 hp to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission.

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.

In 2002, the brand Maybach returned to the car industry. The former ultra-luxury vehicle was back on the market aiming directly to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but with more technology displayed.

While Rolls-Royce and Bentley used to build very expensive cars for rich and, usually, older buyers, Maybach was built for the young guns. Rich buyers from the younger generation. Unlike the other two, traditional, British brands, the Maybach was loaded with new technologies. The brand was revived by Mercedes-Benz in an attempt to counter-balance the success obtained by BMW with the Rolls-Royce brand.

Traditionally, most of the Maybach vehicles were built by independent coachbuilders based on a Maybach chassis. 80% of the pre-WWII Maybach cars didn't feature a Maybach bodywork. But the economy had changed and the Maybach 57 was built by Mercedes-Benz. And that was not the best idea. The car's shape reminded of that from a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Despite the new headlights, the new radiator grille, and the new taillights, the shape was way too similar to be named as a different brand.

Inside, the Maybach 57 featured the most luxurious cabin offered in a passenger car. For the arrangement of the interior, Maybach customers could choose between six grand Nappa leather colors and three high-quality types of wood. It offered more than any other luxury car on the market.

The engine was a 5.5-liter V12 with three valves per cylinder and bi-turbocharged. It was the most powerful unit installed in a sedan at that time. With 550 hp and 900 Nm (663 lb-ft) at the crank, the engine was just too much for the latest 7G-Tronic gearbox so the older 5G-Tronic was chosen instead.