The new flagship Maybach limousine is so much more than a V12-powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz Australia has topped its W223-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class family with the mothership. The new Mercedes-Maybach S 680 builds on the grace, luxury and refinement of the regular S-Class with additional cabin space, more technology, a burly V12 engine and incredible attention to detail. And it asks an unsurprisingly considerable price for the privilege.

Top end of town

Airlines have first class, casinos have high-roller rooms and Mercedes-Benz has its storied Maybach brand.

The three-pointed star’s ultimate expression in luxury and exclusivity arrives in Australia from this month with the new 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 limousine.

Priced at $574,000 plus on-road costs, the Maybach is the jewel in the crown of the seventh-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class family.

And as we find out at its local launch, it makes a lasting statement on-road and in the flesh.

android, mercedes-maybach s 680 2022 review

Money no object

The 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 almost wears its lofty starting price as a badge of honour.

Deposing the previous-generation Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe as the most expensive full-time Mercedes-Benz model on sale in Australia, it also eclipses the limited-edition 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro that was limited to just 15 examples priced at $453,200 plus ORCs apiece.

The $574K starting price for the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 lobs the flagship limousine among established luxury players like the Rolls-Royce Ghost (from $644,650) and Bentley Flying Spur (from $445,200).

It also marks a mammoth $239,000 increase over the impressive Mercedes-Benz S 580L that we also tested recently, and even shades the $378,297 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV.

The additional spend brings a 180mm-longer wheelbase than the S 580L, guaranteeing maximum legroom for both rear seat occupants.

There are also first-class airline-style reclining seats, Rear Comfort Doors with additional powered assistance, MBUX Interior Rear Assistant, high-pile floor mats, exclusive Nappa designo leather trim and a seat belt feeder like that seen in two-door coupes and convertibles.

Also pampering rear seat passengers is a rear entertainment installation including a centre-mounted tablet, a rear comfort seat pack and a high-end Burmester 4D surround-sound system.

Adaptive Ambient Lighting, heat- and noise-insulating glass and the ENERGIZING Pack are also there for front seat occupants, who score a Warmth Comfort Pack including heated seats, arm rests and centre console.

The driver is handed a heated multifunction steering wheel with polished woodgrain and Nappa leather.

Of course, TV and DAB+ digital radio tuners are also standard, as is high-gloss black poplar wood interior trim and a centre console in crystal-look black.

Front seat infotainment comprises a 12.8-inch OLED centre touch-screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless phone charging, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

There is active body control, which combines with air suspension, a road-surface scanning system to eradicate bumps and hazards, curve tilting and active body control, and then there is the Lidar, the stereo cameras, the radars and the ultrasonic sensors.

It has all the good safety stuff too, like a driving assistance package, active distance assist, active cruise control, traffic sign assist, active parking assist and a 360-degree camera.

On the outside, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC’s bespoke extra-long body is distinguished by a unique grille with narrow vertical bars and 20-inch five-hole forged alloy wheels, plus the option of 21s and exclusive hand-applied two-tone paint finishes with a dividing line.

The Maybach is backed by the same five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty as other Mercedes-Benz models in Australia.

It is also offered with the option of capped-price servicing, though perhaps unsurprisingly you can expect to pay through the nose. According to Benz, the first five services will set you back $7000 based on 12-month/20,000km intervals.

android, mercedes-maybach s 680 2022 review

Ultimate running refinement

One of the distinguishing features of the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 is its engine.

Yes, it’s a 463kW/900Nm 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, but the M279 promises ultimate running refinement with a 60-degree vee angle, two plugs per cylinder and multi-spark injection.

The engine is also hand-built by a solitary technician in Affalterbach, Germany.

As with the regular Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the V12 shuffles drive to all four wheel via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The S 680 measures 180mm longer than the S 580L, tipping 5469mm on the tape. It rides on a 3396mm wheelbase.

Elsewhere the Maybach rides standard on adaptive air suspension and gets a rear-wheel steering function designed to shrink its turning circle at low speeds and improve cornering stability at high speeds.

android, mercedes-maybach s 680 2022 review

Country fling

Our first taste of the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 came during the recent Bathurst 12 Hour event, where we were thrown the keys for a couple of hours for a drive in any direction we desired.

Quite simply, the Maybach immediately enamours its occupants and draws eyeballs wherever it goes.

It’s clear the striking exterior colourways and outright craftsmanship transcend the interior upon settling into the rear seat.

Sumptuous materials and automated functions for every conceivable function – the rear doors, storage compartments, seats, you name it… – are supported by myriad creature comforts, like the calf-massaging leg rests or a choice of five different styles of rear seat massaging.

Quite cleverly, two rear seat tablets allow occupants to quickly get comfortable with said functions and take control of some of the vehicle’s key infotainment, tailoring the experience for themselves.

The rear seat is light, airy and cavernous with its proportions. Clearly, the additional 180mm in length is focused on this area alone, and it indeed imbues the S-Class blueprint with even more luxury and panache.

We expected the passenger amenity here to be strong, and it certainly is. All the wares of the donor S-Class but slightly better again.

Where the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 really makes its mark is on the road.

The car’s mammoth on-road footprint is partially mitigated by a crisp, well-weighted driving experience that is also a lesson in smoothness and refinement.

Rear axle steering and controls tuned in a way to minimise driver effort make low-speed conveyance a relative cinch, while an assortment of cameras and clear outward vision ensure we keep its shiny wheels unscathed.

The big V12 engine wakes softly to life and barely registers any inertia or vibration at idle speed – a purported virtue of that 60-degree vee angle.

Pulling away from the kerbside, the V12 almost feels as though it’s mated to a solitary gear ratio, such is the consistent wave of go-forward and total absence of hesitation.

Whereas the V8-powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class is prone to some surging upon upshifting as the engine and gearbox try to fill any apparent torque holes, there is no such interruption in the V12 Maybach’s seamless passage.

It is luxury, defined.

Squeeze the accelerator and the Maybach will reel in the horizon appropriately, emitting an ever-so-slight engine burble for its trouble.

Stab the go-fast pedal and it’s possible to induce some rev hang-up as the internal inertia of the big V12 takes effect.

In truth though, this is a motor car that is best enjoyed cruising, as evidenced by our vehicle’s readout of 13.2L/100km on test, marginally below the official claim.

Similarly, the suspension here is superlative; less resistant to thudding and remarkably calmer than the S 580L.

Suspending 2.5 tonnes means the underlying parts are not infallible, but working to the Maybach’s strengths again reaps a rewarding and surprisingly balanced driving experience.

The cabin is brilliantly isolated from the outside elements; whisper-quiet and insulated on every kind of surface.

The other take-away here is the safety systems.

Yes, a lot of new cars will match the standard safety suite of the Maybach and S-Class family. However, in practice, their tuning parameters almost feel rudimentary by comparison.

And that in itself is a neat summation of Mercedes’ most expensive model in Australia.

The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 is not simply the sum of its parts, but an inordinate execution in craftsmanship, cache and class.

It is luxury distilled to its essence – unsurprisingly, with a price tag to match.

How much does the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC+ cost?Price: $574,000 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 6.0-litre V12 twin-turbo petrolOutput: 463kW/900NmTransmission: Nine-speed automaticFuel: 13.6L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 213g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Keyword: Mercedes-Maybach S 680 2022 Review

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