Geneva Motor Show: 2016 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman: Comments

[William Maley]

---

The preferred vehicle of leaders and villains is making a return to Mercedes. The Mercedes-Maybach Pullman will be shown at Geneva Motor Show next month, and be the second model in the Mercedes-Maybach lineup.

The Pullman keeps the same styling cues as the standard Maybach S600, but adds more length and height. Overall, the Pullman measures out to 255.9 inches (41.2 inches longer than the standard S-Class) and rides on a wheelbase of 173.9 inches. Overall height increases 3.9 inches.

All of that space goes towards the back seat which offers seating for four passengers or two passengers with lounge-like seating. The interior is swathed in leather and features electrically opaqueing glass partitions, three analog gauges, and a Burmester sound system. Of course, the Pullman will offer an "unrivalled scope for individualization" the company says.

"Quite apart from providing stately and stylish seating for high-ranking passengers in the comfort and spaciousness for which it is famed, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level," said Ola Källenius, member of Diamler AG's board. "One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail."

Power comes from Mercedes' twin-turbo 6.0L V12 with 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.

Mercedes says the Pullman will go on sale in Europe next year. Sales for North America are still being decided on.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Press Release is on Page 2

---

The New Mercedes-Maybach Pullman

• High-end luxury-class motor vehicle with a proud pedigree
  

February 17, 2015 - Stuttgart/Geneva

The 50th birthday of the best-known Pullman sedan of them all, the Mercedes-Benz 600, is set to coincide with a special debut at the Geneva Motor Show: the launch of the new Pullman. Mercedes-Maybach's second model will assume the top-of-the-range position, with vis-à-vis seating in the passenger compartment and high-end automotive luxury that is traditionally associated with Maybach.

Its length of 21.3 feet (6.50 meters) alone is a sign of the special status of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman. It provides space for a generously-sized and tastefully-appointed club lounge in the rear, which has a multitude of creature comforts fitted as standard. This chauffeur-driven limousine is more than equal to today's demands for the ultimate in exclusivity and luxury. The VIP occupants sit on two standard-specification executive seats facing the direction of travel. They can enjoy the greatest legroom in the segment; and can get into and out of the car with the greatest of ease and comfort. As is typical for a Pullman, the four passengers can sit facing each other in the compartment with an electrically-operated partition window. The prices for unarmoured models start at around half a million euros (as of mid-February 2015, EURO 500,000 = USD $566,922); the first customers will be taking delivery of their vehicles, which of course offer unrivalled scope for individualization, at the beginning of 2016 (this model is TBD for the U.S. market).

Many governments, rulers and royal families around the world have for decades chosen Mercedes-Benz sedans with the designation "Pullman" to drive them with the stateliness and style befitting their status. With its new model, the company is now extending its unique position in this demanding segment: "Quite apart from providing stately and stylish seating for high-ranking passengers in the comfort and spaciousness for which it is famed, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level," commented Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler AG Management Board responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail."

The Mercedes-Maybach Pullman provides extremely spacious seating combined with unique features characterized by their extraordinary and perfect craftsmanship. It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualize the appointments of their top-class limousines. The exquisite Maybach paint finishes, which are applied in several layers, count as part of this specification.

With a length of 21.3 feet (6499 mm), the Pullman is another 3.5 feet (1053 mm) longer than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The wheelbase is an impressive 14.5 feet (4418 mm). Furthermore, at 5.2 feet (1598 mm) in height, the Pullman is more than 3.9 inches (10 cm or 100 mm) higher than a Mercedes S-Class, resulting in a tangible increase in headroom.

The absolute top-of-the-range model is the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman S 600. Its V12 biturbo engine has an output of 390 kW (523 U.S. SAE hp). With displacement of 5980 cc, the maximum torque of 612 lb-ft (830 Nm) is available from 1900 rpm.

The name Pullman was originally applied to railway carriages with luxurious open-plan compartments manufactured by the American Pullman Palace Car Company. This name was soon also applied to the motor cars from Mercedes-Benz which were based on an extremely long wheelbase and offered a very generously-sized passenger compartment. In the rear, separated from the driver's area by a partition, there was space for four passengers to recline regally in four single seats facing each other.

Extremely spacious seating in the rear, entire vehicle interior is leather-clad

As its name suggests, the four seats in the rear of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman are arranged vis-à-vis. The owner and VIP guests are seated in the direction of travel on two executive seats which are part of the standard specification; other passengers can sit on the fold-down seats facing backwards. If specifically requested, the Pullman can also be delivered in an exclusive version without the additional seats.

The executive seats offer a unique level of comfort thanks to their special adjustment kinematics. In contrast to the norm, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat reference point remain unchanged. The cushion can be adjusted separately, with inclination and horizontal adjustment combined. For the executive seats, the maximum backrest angle is 43.5 degrees. The most upright backrest position of 19 degrees allows relaxed working in the rear. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustable for length and angle. The luxury head restraints come with an extra cushion as standard. The two first-class travellers in the rear have the greatest amount of legroom of any car in the segment, as well as 2.4 inches (60 millimeters) more headroom than in a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

There is one design difference compared with the existing Pullman model: in the new model, all seats are easy to get to. This improvement was achieved thanks to the large rear doors and the position of the passengers on the executive seats, which is even further to the rear. A real boost in comfort for those heads of state and monarchs for whom protocol dictates that they must take their places ahead of their interpreters. This seating arrangement also preserves their privacy, as a large proportion of their bodies is hidden by the rear roof pillar.

The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is upholstered in leather throughout as standard. Not only is the roof liner upholstered in high-quality leather, but also the door frames and seat consoles. As one would expect of a Maybach, there are three analog instruments in the roof liner informing passengers in the rear of the outside temperature, speed and time.

The partition wall between the rear and the driver's area ensures discretion. The glass partition wall can be lowered electrically. It can also change from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. This allows – in combination with the equally standard-specification curtains for the rear windows – for different levels of privacy. The standard-fit 16:9 format 18.5 inch (47 cm) monitor located in front of the partition can also be extended electrically.

Those who demand uncompromising quality of sound and appreciate perfect music reproduction can choose between two innovative Burmester sound systems. The existing Burmester surround sound system delivers the legendary and unmistakeable magical sound for which the high-end audio specialist from Berlin is famous. But as an option par excellence, the Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System provides matchless listening pleasure and outstanding sound quality.

It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualise the appointments of their top-class limousines. The key account managers in the exclusive Maybach centres throughout Europe as well as the sales advisors in the Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets are happy to provide further information on this.

View full article

[G. David Felt]

Guess I just do not get the allure of MB. The style outside and inside does nothing for me. I do like the spec of the TT V12 engine. Guess when you are so insecure you need a V12 when a V8 or V6 will do just fine.

 

Heck Corvettes V8 engine does better than this V12 without all the complexity, extra weight and over the top price. But then the Billionaires have to spend money on something.

[balthazar]

It's truly a bizarre piece. MB shuffles the interior details, gives it a wheelbase stretch, then cuts the price IN HALF from a few years ago. Oh yeah; and they keep the name of a failed brand launch, but add another name no one remembers, assumedly to temper the situation.

 

Some of the changes, like the diamond-quilted upholstery, the tacky accordion-fold curtains (no smart glass here??) and the stand-up hood ornament strongly evoke the tastelessness of the 1970s. But overall, it looks pretty snazzy. I don't expect a single repeat sales from Maybach 1.0, and I hope MB doesn't either. Those buyers got royally F'd.

Edited February 19, 2015 by balthazar

[Drew Dowdell]

I still wish that Cadillac, Chrysler, or Lincoln had snagged the Pullman name before Benz did.  It is an iconic American name. 

[smk4565]

The original Pullman came out in 1965, so Mercedes has had that name for a good while now.   I read elsewhere that this car was designed specifically for "governments, rulers, and royal families."  So in other words, dictators and monarchs. 

 

Clearly the best option is the possibly $500,000 upgrade for the VR9 ballistic protection, which let's be honest, the majority of people that buy this car are getting the armored version.

 

Also important to note that this car has a rear cabin speedometer, so that El Presidente can yell at Jeeves for driving too fast, or perhaps to make sure that Jeeves is traveling at a high enough speed to run over the ifedels.

[balthazar]

How about that- you could get a rear speedometer in a 1930 Cadillac. 

 

Nuttin' like benchmarking...

 

- - - - -

Question is, does the 'Pullman' name mean anything to today's buyers??

I only associate it with railroad cars, not mercedes.

[smk4565]

This thing is about as big as a railroad car.  It is 3 feet longer than a Suburban.   They will sell every one of these they build I am sure, and probably at $1 million a pop.  And they have made previous versions of the Pullman and 6 door limos, I think this is just a better execution of it than what they did on the W140 and W220 chassis.

Guess I just do not get the allure of MB. The style outside and inside does nothing for me. I do like the spec of the TT V12 engine. Guess when you are so insecure you need a V12 when a V8 or V6 will do just fine.

 

Heck Corvettes V8 engine does better than this V12 without all the complexity, extra weight and over the top price. But then the Billionaires have to spend money on something.

Close to 10,000 lbs with armor, a V12 is needed. A V8 in this car would be like a 2.0T in an Escalade ESV Platinum. 

[G. David Felt]

This thing is about as big as a railroad car.  It is 3 feet longer than a Suburban.   They will sell every one of these they build I am sure, and probably at $1 million a pop.  And they have made previous versions of the Pullman and 6 door limos, I think this is just a better execution of it than what they did on the W140 and W220 chassis.

Guess I just do not get the allure of MB. The style outside and inside does nothing for me. I do like the spec of the TT V12 engine. Guess when you are so insecure you need a V12 when a V8 or V6 will do just fine.

 

Heck Corvettes V8 engine does better than this V12 without all the complexity, extra weight and over the top price. But then the Billionaires have to spend money on something.

Close to 10,000 lbs with armor, a V12 is needed. A V8 in this car would be like a 2.0T in an Escalade ESV Platinum. 

WRONG! It is a little small 6 liter V12, The GM 6.2L V8 would do a better job than this engine with better gas mileage. Again you are hung up on the badge and not the real facts.

[smk4565]

 

This thing is about as big as a railroad car.  It is 3 feet longer than a Suburban.   They will sell every one of these they build I am sure, and probably at $1 million a pop.  And they have made previous versions of the Pullman and 6 door limos, I think this is just a better execution of it than what they did on the W140 and W220 chassis.

Guess I just do not get the allure of MB. The style outside and inside does nothing for me. I do like the spec of the TT V12 engine. Guess when you are so insecure you need a V12 when a V8 or V6 will do just fine.

 

Heck Corvettes V8 engine does better than this V12 without all the complexity, extra weight and over the top price. But then the Billionaires have to spend money on something.

Close to 10,000 lbs with armor, a V12 is needed. A V8 in this car would be like a 2.0T in an Escalade ESV Platinum. 

WRONG! It is a little small 6 liter V12, The GM 6.2L V8 would do a better job than this engine with better gas mileage. Again you are hung up on the badge and not the real facts.

 

 That V8 could not produce the NVH standards needed buy a car like this.  They Maybach cars don't use Mercedes most powerful engine for a reason, they need smoothness and quietness.  The Mercedes-AMG V12 makes 811 lb-ft of torque, but the computer limits it to 738 lb-ft to protect the transmission and reduce wheel spin. 

[Drew Dowdell]

The 6.3 is hella smooth. 

They will sell every one of these they build I am sure, and probably at $1 million a pop.  

 

Not particularly difficult when they are basically built to order. 

[balthazar]

This car is going to set crazy records for depreciation.

[smk4565]

Yes, because Billionaires care about depreciation or gas mileage or operating costs.   Not sure where you could even find one used.

[Z-06]

Yes, because Billionaires care about depreciation or gas mileage or operating costs.   Not sure where you could even find one used.

 

Yes they do, because they can claim the depreciation, gas mileage or operating costs for tax purposes. Higher numbers for those means more tax deductions.

 

You could possibly find them in junkyards.

[balthazar]

Have all the Maybach 1.0s evaporated into thin air?
Are the owners bound to lifetime ownership contracts?
How come I've seen the older Maybachs in classified ads?

[G. David Felt]

 

 

This thing is about as big as a railroad car.  It is 3 feet longer than a Suburban.   They will sell every one of these they build I am sure, and probably at $1 million a pop.  And they have made previous versions of the Pullman and 6 door limos, I think this is just a better execution of it than what they did on the W140 and W220 chassis.

Guess I just do not get the allure of MB. The style outside and inside does nothing for me. I do like the spec of the TT V12 engine. Guess when you are so insecure you need a V12 when a V8 or V6 will do just fine.

 

Heck Corvettes V8 engine does better than this V12 without all the complexity, extra weight and over the top price. But then the Billionaires have to spend money on something.

Close to 10,000 lbs with armor, a V12 is needed. A V8 in this car would be like a 2.0T in an Escalade ESV Platinum. 

WRONG! It is a little small 6 liter V12, The GM 6.2L V8 would do a better job than this engine with better gas mileage. Again you are hung up on the badge and not the real facts.

 

 That V8 could not produce the NVH standards needed buy a car like this.  They Maybach cars don't use Mercedes most powerful engine for a reason, they need smoothness and quietness.  The Mercedes-AMG V12 makes 811 lb-ft of torque, but the computer limits it to 738 lb-ft to protect the transmission and reduce wheel spin. 

 

Totally and completely disagree with you. GM's 6.2 L V8 is silky smooth and you clearly have never driven one.

 

Also when did we start talking about the AMG, stick to the facts of the story above, this is about their normal Twin Turbo V12 which is heavier than GM's V8's. 

 

The 6.2 L Vi puts out 420hp 450lb-ft of torque and I am sure can easily move this beast of a car. Yet if you feel it needs the power of the TT V12 then I know just as smooth and superior would be the Supercharged Z06 Engine with 650HP.

[smk4565]

I'd like to see Cadillac go after Rolls-Royce with a Covette/Silverado engine and see what happens.  Or Maybe Cadillac can build a Lamborghini Aventador or Ferrari F12 competitor with a Covette motor.  I think people would pay $400,000 for a Cadillac with the same engine in a $60,000 Corvette.  

[balthazar]

^ '15 650 HP 6.2L Z-06 starts at $78K. Prior to that, the 638 HP 6.2L ZR1 started at $113K.

 

RR starts at $263K but only delivers 563 HP in a car that weighs 5500 lbs.

No one buys a Rolls for the power train anyway- as long as it moves out decently, no one in this demo cares what's under the hood. And yes, it absolutely could be a 6.2L GM engine- car would move out with even better authority.

 

No Cadillac in our lifetimes is going to sticker at $400K. Now, $150K, that I expect to see.

In a perfect fantasy world, Cadillac would build a modern equivalent to the Eldo Brougham and bury Rolls once again. Put that in the Ciel body and your half way there.

Edited February 22, 2015 by balthazar

[Drew Dowdell]

I'd like to see Cadillac go after Rolls-Royce with a Covette/Silverado engine and see what happens.  Or Maybe Cadillac can build a Lamborghini Aventador or Ferrari F12 competitor with a Covette motor.  I think people would pay $400,000 for a Cadillac with the same engine in a $60,000 Corvette.  

 

Actually, I would expect them to build a Aventador and F12 beater using the Corvette Z-06 motor as a base.  The Z-06 is within 75 horsepower of the F12 and 50 horsepower of the Aventador today and out torques the both by 141 lb-ft. 

 

Then there is also the fact that the Corvette's motor weighs substantially less than either of the V12s.....  the fact remains that one of the best upgrades one could do to either the Lambo or Ferrari would be to drop the Corvette Z-06 engine in the back hatch for an instant and substantial increase in torque with a significant decrease in weight.  Put an underdrive pulley on the supercharger and you'll even be ahead in horsepower figures as well. 

[smk4565]

Why would anyone pay $400,000 for a car with a Corvette motor, when they could just buy a Corvette, for 1/6th the price.   All these high dollar cars have a V12 for a reason.    Cadillac couldn't even compete with the Mercedes SL, I can't see them pulling off a super car.

[balthazar]

People buy Audi A6s with volkswagon engines in them- how do you explain that?

 

A Corvette is a Corvette, a very high perform— I feel like I'm talking to a 5 yr old.

[smk4565]

The A6 isn't quite $400,000.

 

I'd like to see Cadillac spend $2 billion on a S-class/Maybach competitor and put their money where Johan's mouth is.

[balthazar]

The A6 isn't quite $400,000.

 

Neither is any Cadillac.

No earthly possibility Rolls is going to fit a Corvette engine into a $400K or a $260K car (tho they had zero issues putting a GM Powertrain automatic in their cars for 23 years because they lacked the engineering know-how to build their own, strong-enough).

No earthly possibility we're going to see a $400K or a $260K Cadillac ($150K is right around the corner, tho).

 

Try and keep your conversational feet on the ground, hmm?

[Drew Dowdell]

Rolls was using pushrod V8s until like..last week.

[Drew Dowdell]

Why would anyone pay $400,000 for a car with a Corvette motor, when they could just buy a Corvette, for 1/6th the price.   All these high dollar cars have a V12 for a reason.    Cadillac couldn't even compete with the Mercedes SL, I can't see them pulling off a super car.

 

Don't your feet get tired from all the running around you do moving the goal posts?

 

Why would anyone buy a Ford GT with the Ecoboost V6 out of a Raptor?  Yet, I bet Ford will sell every one they build at or above list price.

 

If Chevrolet did a mid-engine supercar, I'd expect it to have the Z-06 motor or an even higher tuned variant.  I would also expect that if it is similar weight and design to import mid-engine super cars, it will wipe the floor with them as it would have more power.

 

The XLR's issues were not what was under the hood, but even then, moving from the DOHC Northstar to the Corvette V8 would have been a substantial upgrade for the car.