Dubai: Prospective owners of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 will have a couple of existentialist questions to answer.
Should they choose the version where they let the chauffeur drive and they bask in all of the feature-rich trimmings — fully reclining seats — and more at the back? Or should they opt for the one where they will do all the driving? Whatever be their final choice, Daimler and its Dubai and northern emirates dealership Gargash Enterprises are covering all bases with the launch of an all-new Maybach version for the first time since 2012-13.
“Chances are that this being a VVIP society, the initial demand would be for the chauffeur-driven one,” said Karl-Johan Sandesjo, General Manager at Gargash Enterprises. “At a later point in the sales cycle, the preferences could be split more evenly.”
For the record, the chauffeured version would go for around Dh920,000 and with some of the many options thrown in, while it’s around Dh850,000 for those who like to behind the almost tactile steering wheel.
Even at these prices, it sure does represent something of a relative steal given that the earlier Maybach was retailing for around Dh2 million. “The new pricing structure should be deemed attractive by prospective buyers even in this category,” said Sandesjo.
But as far as statements go, the Mercedes-Maybach makes a no-holds barred statement of intent. This time out, Daimler has moored it firmly to the S-class nomenclature, effectively a stretched version of the S600. In the past, the manufacturer’s intent was for the Maybach badge to retain an own individuality. Sales during the 2002-2012/13 span never quite took off, though in the UAE one does get to see quite a few versions of that vintage.
The current version packs a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, and gets to do the 0-100 mph in 11 seconds. It is also shorter than the predecessor, though that does not mean it has cramped in the rear passenger side. Far from it.
For those who lay great store on such things, the current-generation Maybach even has its own air freshener, a neat touch that is also there on the S500. “The imprint of the S-class (the current S500 has been in the market for around 18 months) is all over this Maybach,” said Sandesjo. “It fits in perfectly with the manufacturer’s plans with the two sub-brands — AMG for high-performance and Maybach for the ultimate in luxury.”
For those even more conscious about surrounding themselves in luxe and substance, the Maybach Pullman — unveiled at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show — should be available in this market next year. The Pullman comes armoured and otherwise.
Gargash Enterprises too is topping up its arsenal, so to speak with the Maybach and other upcoming models.
“There’s been a bit of a compression in the overall auto market in the last four months ... last year’s overall growth was 14 per cent and we managed to do 20,” said Sandesjo. “The luxury end of the market too has seen some of the impact, but we started to see some mobility in recent days.
“Our line-up will be expanded with key SUV launches in the coming months, including the GLA in May. The target is to have our overall SUV sales representing 40 per cent of volumes from around 30 per cent now. It was 10 per cent just a couple of years ago. It’s something we have consciously worked to correct.”
