The Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet: Earth's Most Unnecessary Vehicle

Few vehicles offer the snob appeal and image enhancement of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, but seriously wealthy Benz buyers interested in comfort are going to hire a private driver and purchase something with a Maybach badge. Of course, that limits them to a tarted-up S-Class, or so it was before the introduction of the G650 Landaulet — which is, quite possibly, the dumbest vehicle currently entering production.

While the Landaulet’s forward-most occupants are treated to the nice but relatively unchanged interior from the G-Class, the rear is an extravaganza of luxury to be enjoyed in or out of the elements. Much like the Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet, it is a convertible. Unlike the Cabrio, however, the only person to benefit from the folding top is the multi-millionaire riding in the back.

Rivaled in terms of ridiculousness only by AMG’s G63 6×6, the G650 Landaulet comes with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 making 630 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Your private driver is welcome to all of that up to the 112 mph limiter, although the automaker is careful to mention it would be capable of much more.

Still, the singular ultra-wealthy individual that this article is targeted at won’t care much about driving dynamics, as they will spend the majority of their time in the backseat. And where else would you want to be? With 22.75 inches tacked onto the wheel base, the rear compartment is now so expansive that the lavish calf leather loungers can recline fully. So as not to disturb sir or madame over rough terrain, Mercedes-Maybach has placed the seats on inflatable air chambers and equipped them with heated massage programs for those times when simply being supremely comfortable isn’t enough.

Like the extended ultra-lux S-Class, the Maybach’s G also has heated and cooled drink holders, high-resolution personal displays, a premium sound system, and an electrically operated glass partition that you can turn opaque or transparent at the press of a button.

Benz claims this is a legitimate off-roader, going so far as to offer press photos of the Landaulet walking on water as if it were some sort of automotive messiah. However, with locking differentials, shift-on-the-fly low range, and nearly 18 inches of ground clearance, it should do alright in the backyard of someone’s sprawling estate — or on safari. The company plans on building just 99 of these image-augmenting monstrosities, and Mercedes says it won’t announce a price for them. I assume if you need to ask, then you probably can’t afford it.

[Images: Mercedes-Benz]