MAYBACH 62 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

In 2009 the world was in deep economic crisis and the luxury brands had to adapt and, while Rolls-Royce was ready to launch a new base model, Maybach showed another expensive, half of million euros, limousine.

The German brand Maybach was the epitome of German luxury before WWII. Its cars were built on special orders only and the bodyworks were built custom for each and every client either by the manufacturer or by supliers.

In March 2009, at the Geneva Motor Show, the newest creation from the Maybach was unveiled. The 62 Zeppelin model was based on the long-wheelbase model of the luxurious car. It features different painting scheme in two tones. The Zeppelin gets special 20-inch wheels in what Daimler calls a “chrome shadow finish.” The curving "ZEPPELIN" letteres were stamped below the distinctive double "M" emblem on the radiator grille and on the trunk lid. The taillights were darkened and, just to avoid confusion with other Maybachs on the road, the Zeppelin had four pipes instead of two, like the other versions.

The interior of the vehicle was enhanced, especially for the rear seats. A sterling silver plate

Inside, the Maybach Zeppelin had an optional system which sprayed one of two specifically developed Givaudan fragrances into the cabin. A silver plate with the vehicle number from the series was added to the interior. Maybach stated that the production will be limited to 100 units.

For the drivetrain, the 62 kept same twin-turbo engine mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox, but with 28 more horsepower than the rest of the series.

Maybach introduced the 62 S in 2006 as a natural evolution of the 57 S that was unveiled a year earlier at the Geneva Motor Show.

Mercedes-Benz was far from having the success it hoped for in the revival of the Maybach brand. Even though these cars were fitted with the most advanced technologies the carmaker had in its parts bin and were offered exclusive options such as dimming panoramic roofs, sales were slow even for a luxury automaker. The problem was that customers perceived the vehicle as a more expensive S-Class, not as a completely different one. And they were right in many aspects. After all, the overall proportions and the general look were not far from its W140 stablemate, with which it shared its platform. As a result, Maybach struggled with three-digit sales figures. The 62S was just another way of boosting numbers, but that didn't happen.

The 62S was offered with either a monochrome silver or black color scheme, and it sat on standard 20" light-alloy wheels made just for the 57S and the 62S versions. In addition, the front grille sported 11 chromed vertical slats instead of 23 as on the regular 62 model. At the back, the rear apron was redesigned to accommodate the oval exhausts instead of the round ones as on the non-S versions.

Inside, Maybach installed two bucket seats at the front and two reclining ones in the rear, like in the rest of the 62 range, but added more options. These included different leather upholstery and lamb wool carpeting for an even more refined atmosphere. The automaker also offered the vehicle with either piano-black or carbon-looking trims instead of wood.

Under the hood, the bi-turbo 6.0-liter V12 powerplant developed a massive 612 PS (603 hp) and 1000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque, sent to the rear wheels via an AMG-Speedshift, five-speed automatic gearbox.

In the early 2000s, Mercedes-Benz revived the old, ultra-luxury, brand, Maybach. It tried to make it a direct competitor with Rolls Royce and Bentley. The Maybach 62 was the top model.

Maybach used to be one of the most luxurious vehicles built in Germany before WWII. Their main expertise was in engines and transmissions and that is why the company mostly sold chassis with engines, transmissions, and dashboards to be bodied by independent coachbuilders. In 2002, Mercedes-Benz relaunched the Maybach brand with two vehicles: 57 and 62. The numbers were according to the length of the vehicles, expressed in meters. The 62 was the longer version, with more features and a bigger price-tag.

The exterior of the car resembled the design of another successful luxury car: the S-Class. The headlights were different, with a specific twin-lights design. The grille had a similar shape to that of an S-Class, but with vertical slats. Unlike the S-Class, the Maybach 62 featured an additional glass area behind the rear doors. But the biggest differences were inside.

For the driver, there was a comfortable vehicle at the same level as an S-Class. In the rear, it was a different story. The luxurious vehicle featured two seats with a refrigerator between them. The electrically adjustable individual seats allowed more support for the legs, just like in an airplane at Business Class.

Under the hood, there was a 5.5-liter twin-turbo engine with 12 cylinders. Since the total output of the engine was too high for the newly developed 7G-Tronic gearbox, the Maybach 62 featured an older, but tougher, 4-speed automatic gearbox.