New roofless V12 is the ultimate Mercedes-Maybach combo
It’s difficult to make a case for a new Mercedes-Benz G Class to occupy any vehicle segment other than that of a luxury SUV. But now that Maybach have gotten their hands on the off-roader, further evaluation might be necessary to make room for the newest edition to the G Class family.
Mercedes-Maybach has just released the first images of their latest luxury creation — an automobile so over the top, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting it’s a real car that’s actually looking for real customers, with real money, looking to make a legal transaction.
Called the G 650 Landaulet (‘Landaulet’ meaning a car with a folding hood over the rear seats) the production run of the luxury four-wheel drive will be limited to just 99 units.
Built on the same 5m long platform as the AMG G 63 6x6, Mercedes-Maybach says the Landaulet represents a combination of ‘luxurious chauffeur saloon and off-roader’.
What they’ve done is take a G class, cut the roof off the rear row of seating, chuck two Mercedes-Maybach S-Class seats in this row, and add all the bells and whistles they could find around the factory because … well, do they need reasons?
To their credit, the back row can recline completely and comes with calf rests. Of course the seats will massage you, and of course each passenger will have their own high-resolution infotainment set-up. You’d also find thermal cup holders, a glass partition separating the two rows and the ability to control that folding roof.
Power comes from a 6-litre bi-turbo V12, producing a 630hp and 738 pound-feet of torque. It achieves a polar-bear cuddling 17l/100 km – similar figures to that of an H2 Hummer.
Because the chassis is already proven as a legitimate go-anywhere off roader, it should handle any terrain it encounters, helped further with a ground clearance of almost half a metre, portal axels, locking differentials and a low range transfer case.
Though who would want to take this into the mud?
The Landaulet will cost somewhere in the region of half a million Kiwi bucks, and none of us will probably ever see one … unless you’re a frequent flier to the likes of Dubai or Monaco.
Full specifications and pricing will be announced at Geneva Motor Show next month, if you think you’re in the market for such a vehicle.
