Having already informed the motor press that its Maybach brand will be making a long-overdue exit from the retail market, Daimler is getting all Weekend At Bernies about the failed super-premium marque. Instead of selling the Maybach name to an upstart Chinese firm, or developing an all-new model, Daimler has decided to keep the brand on life support in a more cynical fashion than even we could have anticipated: hiring an outside firm to develop a two-door version of its 57S sedan.
German engineering firm Xenatech has been tasked with modifying the 57S for coupe duty, but the changes aren’t expected to go beyond lowering, widening and bodywork alterations to accommodate the loss of two doors. And, as AW [via MSN] reports
Daimler does not deny that its in-house styling department–headed by Gorden Wagener–has had a hand in its contemporary appearance
So why not just coupify the ‘bach in-house? Probably because a build run of only 100 units is planned. But are there that many buyers ready to part with $800k+ for a dead brand’s placeholder? Maybe if Daimler throws a big party and invites all of Maybach’s friends…
I bet the germans will somehow blame this on their involvement with Chrysler.
Can you believe there are people on this planet who can throw $800k on car just for the hell of it?
How much is a G650 or Citation X? $50 million
How much is a good Rothko? 70 million…
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1924727.htm
Actually, that is the first good looking Maybach I’ve ever seen…
Wouldn’t it be amazing if this version is a surprise hit! (selling 101 of the planned run – timescale being infinity.)
I think all Maybachs look pretty good with that two tone paint job. It emphasizes the body crease in a good way. Of course I’ve also seen numerous Hyundai XG350Ls painted that way.
I also love the fact that the car is Ohio State Buckeye’s colors.
Why aren’t they going to take the easy way out and just lightly modify a CL platform? Not like it would be out of character for them to do that.
Daimler just refuses to give up on this dead horse. Wonder how much money they’ve spent on this debacle so far.
Looks almost as good as a Mercedes CL.
Twotone
The Mercedes CLS is a great design, a fabulous looking big car, and a huge albatross around the neck of M-B. It made the S Class look dowdy by comparison (which is why the restyled S took a lot from the CLS), and the Maybach just looks like a bigger S.
Didn’t I see those wheels on a Cadillac? I sure saw that paint job on a Cadillac….
Answers the question: ‘What kind of car would Cleopatra drive?’
Its a nice looking car. I don’t see what it needs to cost more than a 300C, its really going for the same effect, some type of superiority status.
What a joke. Very cynical of Daimler indeed. It shows how little restraint and class they really have. They slightly shorten the roof of a 57S, chop a door, and call it a day? Weak sauce.
Can anyone tell me how much this thing’s asking price is? Similar to reg Maybach?
What a joke. Very cynical of Daimler indeed. It shows how little restraint or class they really have. They slightly shorten the roof of a 57S, chop a door, and call it a day? Weak sauce.
can anyone tell me how much this thing’s asking price is? Similar to reg Maybach?
Maybach just looks like a bigger S.
U’re 100% correct. Cant fool u but few hundreds of these suckers in the last 8yrs.
Can anyone tell me how much this thing’s asking price is? Similar to reg Maybach?
If not equally insane amount it’ll be lots more.