Mercedes-Maybach Pullman revealed as the ultimate S-Class – for passengers

The Mercedes-Maybach Pullman has been revealed ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show, aiming to take on Rolls Royce in the ultra-luxury market.

Mercedes tried very hard to make the Maybach a stand-alone brand that could take on Rolls Royce with a Teutonic take on ultimate luxury. But it failed.

It failed because the Maybach was always behind the curve – based as it was on the older S-Class – and because it was just too blingy for most Rolls Royce Phantom buyers. But that’s not stopping Mercedes having another go at stealing sales – and kudos – from Rolls Royce, this time with a Maybach version of the very latest S Class – the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman.

A massive 1053mm longer – it’s actually 6.5 metres long, over 21′ in old money – than the already very big S Class LWB, the Maybach Pullman is aimed squarely at governments, rulers and royal families (and Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones) and will cost as much as the £363k Rolls Royce Phantom EWB.

Inside is where the real money is, with the principal forward-facing seats offering outrageous levels of luxury and leg-room, all the toys you could want – including analogue instruments in the roof liner displaying temperature, speed and time – and a glass divider between the passenger cabin and driver which can be raised and lowered and even made opaque.

There’s also an 18.5″ monitor in front of the partition, Burmester 3D surround, privacy curtains and an extra set of fold-down rear-facing seats for when you really must give a lift to a few more bodies.

Under the bonnet is the Mercedes 6.0 litre biturbo delivering 552bhp and 612lb/ft of torque. More than  enough to make quick – but serene – progress.

First deliveries of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman are scheduled for early 2016 – after a debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month – and with an endless range of customisations and options – including armoured versions – the £350k price is just the starting point.