The father and son Wilhelm and Karl Maybach were gifted designers, and they lived their credo of “What is good must also be beautiful.” And it showed as they were pioneers in style and known trailblazers in terms of automotive luxury. Their formula may sound simple, but they created wonders; they were able to bring together perfection and craftsmanship with technical and design innovations. And until today, those values are synonymous to the name Maybach.
The Mercedes-Maybach brand has continued to grow and innovate, creating new models, and soon, they will also offer electric vehicles. Recently, Mercedes-Maybach presented the “Concept EQS” at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich. It was a slight preview of their first fully electric model series from 2023. The concept will be based on premium-class electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and the modular architecture for luxury.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Mercedes-Maybach presented the “Edition 100” which is a special edition of the current S-Class. The “Edition 100” will be limited to only 100 units worldwide and will be available in the US during the first half of 2022.
Maybach History
Wilhelm Maybach was born in 1846 and was a close friend of Gottlieb Daimler. He initially worked for Daimler – Motoren – Gesellschaft. He had many innovations and among them is the first Mercedes, and it completely ruled the Nice Race Week in 1901. For this achievement, he was given the nickname “Roi des Constructeurs” which means King of the Constructors. Wilhelm and his son, Karl, wanted to create “the best of the best” so they made sure to merge progress with form.
Wilhelm stated, “I think about it around the clock, a constant impulse: the perfection of the technology.”
In September 1921, in a motor show in Berlin, Maybach Motorenbau GmbH unveiled their first mass-produced car. The W 3 was like a moving work of art. It was the first German production car with epicyclic gear system, four-wheel brakes, and a luxury interior. It excited the audience, and it became an instant legend. “Motor” magazine described them saying, “A new star in the automotive firmament is beginning to shine.”
During the 1920s and 1930s, the Maybach name was the epitome of craftsmanship and technical refinement and embodying character and social position. Maybach meant custom-made luxury. Since then, kings, industrialists, artists, and the like were driven around in regal limousines and majestic Pullman sedans. They were able to travel the world in cabriolets, roadsters, and chic coupes. Each Maybach model was equipped differently. In 1928, there was even an Indian maharajah who had his limousine decorated with rubies and gold.
In 1960, after the death of Karl Maybach, Daimler-Benz entered the picture.
Daimler-Benz AG and Maybach Motorenbau GmbH
Maybach was revived as an independent brand in 2002. Until the early part of 2013, customers all over the world received their legendary vehicles like the Maybach 57, Maybach 62, and Maybach 62 Landaulet. Still, the driving force of the Maybach engineers and designers was automotive excellence.
In 2014, Mercedes-Maybach became a Mercedes-Benz brand. Alongside the standard Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and GLD models, they will also be launching the S 600 Pullmant. They also had limited-edition special models like the S 650 Cabriolet and the G 650 Landaulet. Their core markets are China, South Korea, Russia, Germany, and the USA.
Each model released embodies being the ‘best of the best’ and they were all made in consultation with customers at the Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart. The vehicles can also be customized on request to the Mercedes-Maybach MANUFAKTUR program, offering craftsmanship and perfection with every unit.
Head of Top End Vehicle Group Mercedes-Benz AG and CEO Mercedes- AMG GmbH Philipp Schiemer stated, “It’s about the passionate combination of every detail, no matter how small, that makes a luxury car a Maybach – all in combination with state-of-the-art technology from Mercedes-Benz. Every Mercedes- Maybach stands for Sophisticated Luxury in all its facets – for our customers who are looking for something very special.”
Mercedes-Maybach “Edition 100”
To celebrate its 100-year anniversary, the brand continues its quest to provide maximum individuality, independence, and comfort with a new high-tech model.
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is the perfect luxury sedan equipped with a V12 engine that can produce 621 hp. It has noise-insulated first-class rear compartment with Burmester 4D surround sound system. The seats have heat and massage functions, as well as high-tech infotainment screens. The model has a 7-inch longer wheelbase compared to the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class and for the first time, it is equipped with an all-wheel drive.
There is no better tribute to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class than having a limited run “Edition 100” that is limited to only 100 units worldwide. The S-Class is hand-painted to have a two-tone Cirrus Silver/Nautical Blue finish. For the interior, it was given a special design in MANUFAKTUR Crystal White/Silver Gray Pearl. The impressive radiator grille sports the brand emblem. The C-pillar carries the brand logo as well as the “Edition 100” inscription and it can also be seen in various stowage compartments and illuminated panels in the interior. The hub caps also proudly bear the “Edition 100” emblem, and the wheels are given a new grey finish.
There will also be a car cover that has the iconic double M. Clients will also be given a beautiful handmade case made from soft crystal white or black leather that is made to store keys and papers to further show the exclusivity of the edition. As part of the anniversary edition, Mercedes-Maybach’s partners are also designing and creating limited special series items. One of them is the Maybach icons of Luxury that will be offering a diamond-studded fountain pen from the Maybach the Peak collection.
On the first half of 2022, the “Edition 100” will be available in the US.
“Creator Brand” Mercedes-Maybach
Even as early as a hundred years ago, Karl Maybach was already partnering with the best specialist companies to give his customers their wishes and be able to create the bodies in their style. He provided the perfect blend of technical quality with individual design and perfect craftsmanship. Each car was different. The coachbuilders are a perfect match to the chassis and engines partnered with high-quality equipment and handcrafted bodies.
Each vehicle shows the character of each customer. They created elegant and unique pieces that are perfect for connoisseurs and collectors.
The core of Maybach luxury is centered on constant innovation. To provide this, inspiration is needed, and inputs from creative partners like the early coachbuilders were welcome. For Mercedes-Maybach, ultimate luxury is the perfect blend of creativity and harmonious aesthetics between technology and individual experience.
Mercedes-Maybach relies on and respects the expertise of their partners creating a strong partnership between traditional businesses, visionaries, and manufacturers.
Philipp Schiemer added, “We see ourselves as a creator brand. Every vehicle has always been configured and manufactured with veritable artistic ambition. Customers and producers have always been creative together – we want to preserve this spirit and further strengthen it in the future.”
Exclusive Maybach for other areas of life
For the Maybach anniversary year, silver manufacturer Robbe & Berking will be offering a special series of champagne flutes. It will have the raised Maybach logo on the base, and it will also sport the Maybach “100 Years” logo engraved.
Flensburgers also made matching water or long drink tumblers for connoisseurs and lovers of classics, and they will be available to everyone, not just Mercedes-Maybach owners.
Since 2008, Robbe & Berking Classics has been creating and restoring wood sailing yachts in their own shipyard. The two companies are united in their love for travel and beauty.
Robbe & Berking Silbermanufaktur seit 1874 GmbH & Co KG Managing Director Oliver Berking shared, “The large and small masterpieces of both companies are among the best of their kind in the world. In both manufactories, unique works of timeless elegance are produced from selected materials in a perfection that arouses emotions among collectors and customers all over the world.”
There will also be matching lifestyle accessories like leather goods, exclusive travel bags, clothing, and eyewear. All the items are made in Germany to enrich their client’s lifestyle beyond the car. The collections are developed by licensing partner Maybach Icons of Luxury with the mythical brand emblem. They use sustainable materials like natural horn, titanium, precious woods, cashmere, or leather types that meet the highest environmental standards but doesn’t compromise on quality. The creative understatement of the products shows the fascination of the brand and delivers the desire for personal expression. CEO Jutta Kahlbetzer explains, “We are driven by the goal of making the exclusive Maybach feeling tangible in as many areas of life as possible.”
As part of the 100-year anniversary, the Maybach the Peak collection will be offering a limited-edition fountain pen with an 18-carat gold nib. It will have a serial number in a stylish wooden gift box. The clip of the pen will have 100 diamonds and the client will have the option of either black or white. The cap tip will be made of mother-of-pearl while the body will be lacquered in the same blue metallic shade that will be seen in the “Edition 100” vehicles.
Mercedes-Maybach in the discovery of the best possible future
Even in the fourth generation, Ulrich Schmid-Maybach, the great-grandson of Wilhelm, and the grandson of Karl Maybach, the values of the family business run true; he shows innovation, creativity, enthusiasm, and quality. Schmid-Maybach shared, “There is no greater luxury than knowing you have the best. Maybach’s self-image as the ‘ultimate inventor’ goes back to its own history of origin, and to the quality claim ‘Made in Germany.’ To that origin, to create something out of nothing, to transmit that wisdom to subsequent generations and to foster a culture of creativity and innovation.”
In 2005, Schmid-Maybach started The Maybach Foundation. It is a non-profit organization that pays homage to Wilhelm and Karl Maybach’s life work. They have built the virtual Maybach Museum, and they also foster the next generation of designers and innovators through their mentoring programs.
Gottlieb Daimler sponsored Wilhelm Maybach which is where the idea of the mentoring concept started. It helps the Maybach Foundation to focus on the gifted individuals who has shown talent in a particular field. The Maybach Foundation is active in a lot of different fields like ethics, society, technology, science, sustainability, and art.
Ulrich Schmid-Maybach stated, “Your best possible future helps others find theirs.”
The Maybach Foundation has the support of world-renowned artists like the musician Quincy Jones, writer Paulo Coelho, and painter and director Julian Schnabel as they also aim to bring and share the legacy of the founders into the future.
“For the future, we will deepen the dialogue with outstanding personalities such as artists, architects and companies. Just like them, we will not stop perfecting our products. The brand will reinvent itself once again after 100 years: sustainable, artistic, visionary. With more models – and these will also be electric,” Philipp Schiemer added.
Mercedes-Maybach: upholding traditions, embodying luxury, with visions that push technology and innovations even further.
