What's Wrong With This Picture: Maybach, Maybach Not Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

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…

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Bunk Moreland Bunk Moreland on May 25, 2010

    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?

  • Bunk Moreland Bunk Moreland on May 25, 2010

    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?

  • Blowfish Blowfish on Jun 20, 2010

    Maybach just looks like a bigger S. U're 100% correct. Cant fool u but few hundreds of these suckers in the last 8yrs.

  • Blowfish Blowfish on Jun 20, 2010

    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.

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