2002→2009 Maybach 57
The Maybach 52 is much the same as the Maybach 62 which celebrated its world premiere in New York at the beginning of July. The model designations of the two luxury Saloons are a reference to the majestic proportions of these unique cars, the Maybach 62 stretching to 6.17 metres in length and the Maybach 57 measuring 5.73 metres.
Maybach defines the standards at the very peak of the passenger car market, at the same time continuing the tradition of the legendary Maybach automobiles which were among the elite in German and international automotive engineering together with Mercedes-Benz during the 1920s and 1930s.
In the new Maybach technological excellence is combined with equally unique elegance, aesthetics and design perfection. The harmonious interplay of form, colour and materials lends these high-end saloons a design quality which accentuates their serene character and gives them an unmistakable identity.
The interior of the 57 imparts a clear message: sheer luxury, unobtrusive yet unmistakable; stylish elegance and the utmost perfection in every detail.
Leather and fine wood are without doubt the predominant materials which contribute to the dignified interior atmosphere of the Maybach. Soft Alcantara and high-quality velour complement this ensemble of materials: Alcantara is used to give the roof pillar linings, the sun visors and roof lining a surface which is pleasant to the touch, for example, while velour with a deep nap is used for the floor carpeting.
Power, smoothness, durability – the qualities of the legendary Maybach engine of 1929 were again the key concerns during the development of the new Type 12 engine.
5.5 litres displacement, twin turbochargers, peak output of 405 kW/550 hp and peak torque of 900 Newton metres, these are the impressive vital statistics of this unit, which has a higher power output and develops more torque than any other series-production passenger car engine in the world. They guarantee that the Maybach displays its characteristic assurance in all situations.
The twin turbochargers aspirate the twelve-cylinder so efficiently that the driver is able to mobilise the enormous power even at very low revs. Expressed in figures: a muscular 622 Newton metres of torque are already on tap at 1500 rpm, the 800 Newton metre mark is reached at 1800 rpm and from 2300 rpm the power unit generates its maximum torque of 900 Newton metres, a figure which is unique among series-production passenger cars. It maintains this up to 3000 rpm. The maximum output of the V12 engine – 405 kW/550 hp, is available at 5250 rpm. The maximum charge pressure is 1.3 bar.
In view of the outstanding performance and weight of the Maybach the choice by the development engineers naturally fell on a double wishbone front suspension. This design meets all the requirements for this unique luxury motor car while providing a low level of road roar and tyre vibration.
The electronically controlled air damping system AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) enables the luxury car to achieve a new dimension in ride comfort. The suffix DC stands for Dual Control and refers to the dual function of AIRMATIC: the system combines an actively controllable air suspension with the Adaptive Damping System. AIRMATIC DC controls the air volume in the rubber spring bellows depending on the driving situation. On rapid bends or under similarly high dynamic loads, for example, the air suspension briefly deactivates part of the air volume it contains and thereby stiffens the spring action to reduce body roll and pitching. During normal driving the entire air volume remains active, providing soft springing and maximum comfort.
Passengers in the Maybach by no means have to do without high-quality entertainment, up-to-date information and perfect telecommunications while travelling. The DVD player, radio with VHF/medium wave and the TV receiver provided as standard enable them to arrange their own entertainment programme and also connect external units such as a camcorder, MP3 player or video games.
Despite its majestic size the new Maybach 62 also cuts a very fine figure in aerodynamic terms and illustrates the high capabilities of aerodynamic development at DaimlerChrysler even in this vehicle class. Expressed in figures: with a frontal area of 2.62 square metres and a Cd figure of 0.31, the drag area is 0.81 square metres.
Intelligent lightweight construction plays a major part during the development of an automobile as majestic in size as the Maybach. Using the latest calculation methods, innovative design processes and high-quality, lightweight materials the engineers were able to achieve significant results in reducing the weight of the bodyshell without compromising strength, rigidity and vibration comfort. On the contrary, with a static torsion of 1.82 millimetres per metre (between the axles) and a static bending of 0.22 millimetres (at the side members) the new Maybach achieves unequalled results in its vehicle class.
Five large aluminium components also contribute to the exemplary, low weight of the Maybach bodyshell: the roof, bonnet, doors and front wings. The boot lid and spare wheel recess are made from high-quality glass-fibre reinforced plastics.
The extremely rigid passenger cell is the heart of the body structure, and therefore also of the safety concept. It is designed to provides its occupants with the best possible all-round protection.
A highly-effective, adaptive restraint system provides the highest level of occupant protection. Adaptive means that the driver and front passenger airbags automatically adapt to the severity of an accident. Moreover, the electronics register the weight of the front passenger and also take this value into account when activating the front passenger airbag as the situation requires.
The recent Maybach brand is an example of the best luxury product that can be made. Maybach embodies state of the art technology developed by Mercedes-Benz over the last 100 years. The Maybach customer can rest assure that while being transported, he is in the safest, most comfortable ride money can buy. No other limosine has had so much perfomance, leading technology and craftsmanship built into one product.
Story by DaimlerChrysler & Supercars.net
In Detail
| tags | w240 |
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 2002 – 2009 |
| built at | Stuttgart, Germany |
| price $ | $ 308,000 |
| engine | M285 60º V12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Twin-Turbo |
| ignition | ECI, Twin Spark |
| block material | Aluminum |
| valvetrain | SOHC 3 Valves per Cyl |
| displacement | 5513 cc / 336.4 in³ |
| bore | 82 mm / 3.23 in |
| stroke | 87 mm / 3.43 in |
| compression | 9.0:1 |
| power | 410.1 kw / 550 bhp @ 5250 rpm |
| specific output | 99.76 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 201.1 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 900 nm / 663.8 ft lbs @ -700 rpm |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque w/Aluminum Panels |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 275/50 R 19 |
| rear tires | 275/50 R 19 |
| front brakes | Internally Vented Discs w/Power Assist, ABS, SBC, 4-Pot Calipers |
| rear brakes | Internally Vented Discs w/Power Assist, ABS, SBC, Twin-Pot Calipers |
| front wheels | F 48.3 x 20.3 cm / 19.0 x 8.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 48.3 x 20.3 cm / 19.0 x 8.0 in |
| steering | Recirculating Ball w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Air Suspension |
| r suspension | Multi-Link w/Air Suspension |
| curb weight | 2735 kg / 6030 lbs |
| wheelbase | 3390 mm / 133.5 in |
| front track | 1675 mm / 65.9 in |
| rear track | 1695 mm / 66.7 in |
| length | 5728 mm / 225.5 in |
| width | 1980 mm / 78.0 in |
| height | 1572 mm / 61.9 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Automatic |
| gear ratios | 3.60:1, 2.19:1, 1.41:1, 1.00:1, 0.83:1 |
| top speed | ~250 kph / 155.3 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.1 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~12.2 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~13.7 seconds |
