Maybach 57 S

Muamer Hodzic September 12, 2007

The “S” in the designation of the 57 S model, which joined the range in 2005, stands for “Special” and reflects the fact that Maybach has implemented many of the wishes of its highly discerning customers. It is above all those who wish to drive the vehicle themselves who were looking for a symbiosis of luxurious comfort and a distinctly sporty character. In the Maybach 57 S the 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine with an output of 450 kW/612 hp teams up with a tauter suspension set-up to provide the highest levels of luxury and dynamic handling, making it the ideal high-end luxury saloon for owner-drivers who expect the very latest high-performance technology and the perfection typical of the Maybach brand.

And the Maybach 57 S delivers a new dimension of performance. It accelerates from nought to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds, and from nought to 200 km/h in a mere 15.8 seconds, making it the sportiest luxury saloon in the world. The sprint from 80 to 120 km/h, a speed range which is often decisive when it comes to overtaking, is something which this high-end luxury saloon accomplishes effortlessly in 3.7 seconds – scarcely more time than it takes to blink. The top speed is 275 km/h.

Modified suspension for a safe and dynamic driving experience

To make sure that the impressive performance potential of the 57 S is always safely and smoothly transferred to the road, Maybach engineers have modified the suspension in numerous ways to do justice to the increased power. The results are palpable: despite its weight and dimensions, the luxury saloon is agile and dynamic, has precise, responsive cornering characteristics and assists the driver with safe and neutral handling. Moreover, the Maybach 57 S provides a surprisingly high level of driving pleasure on winding country roads and on tortuous mountain passes.

To achieve these dynamic, responsive characteristics, the Maybach developers have reconfigured the stabilisers at the front and rear axles. There is now a two-millimetre thicker torsion bar at the front and a four-millimetre thicker version at the rear. These provide the car with a sportier, more balanced suspension and more support at the rear axle. The result is a reduction in roll angle by around 15 percent and therefore more lateral stability when taking bends at speed. Handling and cornering ability are improved at the same time. The handling dynamics also benefit from a 15-millimetre reduction in ride height. Together these modifications lead to significantly improved roadholding on the part of the Maybach 57 S.

The more stiffly configured Adaptive Damping System ADS II, as well as the semi-active air suspension, dampens body movements more rapidly and accentuates the sporty handling. If the driver selects the sporty mode from the three available suspension settings by pressing the switch in the centre console, the springs and dampers are even more stiffly configured. However, even in normal mode the new Maybach 57 S offers a high level of dynamic handling for the driving enthusiast without any loss of comfort. The modified suspension components also allow a more sporty configuration of ESP and ASR for higher lateral acceleration.

Specially developed 20-inch light-alloy wheels with eleven spokes

The Michelin Pilot Sport tyres in size 275/45 R 20 have been specifically suited to the modified suspension, and are fitted to specially developed 8.5 J x 20 eleven-spoke light-alloy wheels. Owing to the low section width of the 20-inch tyres – larger than the 19-inch tyres of the Maybach 57 – and the larger contact patch resulting from a width of 8.5 rather than 8 inches, the self-steering characteristics of the Maybach 57 S have also been improved. The more dynamically configured saloon corners considerably more precisely and with almost instant response, while generating a high level of lateral stability at the same time.

Ventilation of the braking system has also been improved. Underbody air deflectors in the area of the front axle, as well as the airflow-optimised, eleven-spoke design of the wheels, allow more cooling air to reach the brakes. This ensures better performance and fade resistance in all driving situations and operating conditions. In the Maybach 57 S these measures make for a consistently outstanding level of active safety.

The modified and reconfigured suspension of the 57 S demonstrates that the Maybach developers have successfully reconciled two apparently contradictory requirements: this high-performance luxury car is able to transmit the performance requirements of the driver safely and effortlessly to the road at all times, while at the same time offering the high level of ride comfort typical of a Maybach.

Unmistakable front aspect: radiator grille with twin louvres

Characteristic exterior features of the Maybach 57 S comprise the powerfully styled radiator grille with more widely spaced twin louvres, redesigned light units and rear end, and a single-tone paint finish in black or silver which is exclusive to the 57 S and 67 S models. Customers can also specify the new shimmering white special paint finish as an option.

The sporty appearance of the Maybach 57 S harmoniously confirms the overall impression of an exclusive luxury car which combines the very highest quality and technical perfectionism with a thoroughbred character and impressive performance characteristics.

Fine details: top-quality material mix of carbon fibre and piano lacquer

The interior of the Maybach 57 S exudes its very own aura. This is in large measure due to the vertical surfaces coated in piano lacquer and the carbon fibre rather than fine wood trim which especially emphasises the horizontal surfaces. The centre console is a particular example of great attention to detail: this composition of piano lacquer and carbon fibre elements lends another powerful and eye-catching highlight to the interior as a further visual emphasis of the car’s impressive performance potential. On request, Maybach customers are also able to order the new version with poplar wood trim in anthracite as an alternative to carbon fibre.

In the 57 S both the dashboard speedometer and the overhead speedometer have scales showing up to 320 km/h. All the controls, which are conveniently within view and reach of the driver, fit in with the tasteful overall design and the perfectly proportioned, driver-centred layout of the cockpit in the Maybach 57 S.

New rear section: first-class comfort even at high speeds

The interior of the Maybach 57 S has also been designed to suit the car’s dynamic character. The design of the head restraints creates an impression of greater lightness. Nonetheless their ergonomic shape ensures optimal relaxation and typical Maybach comfort even on longer journeys at higher speeds. The large, black-tinted rear windscreen can be optionally fitted with an opaque curtain for even greater privacy and a pleasantly subdued lighting mood during daylight hours.