Latest news with #MercedesMaybach
Khaleej Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Wheely Dubai experience: Luxury chauffeuring with Maybachs, S-Class, and more
When you think of a chauffeured ride, you might imagine a polished car, a sharply dressed driver, and a quiet ride to your destination. Wheely takes that base expectation and elevates it into an experience that feels meticulously curated — a seamless blend of technology, etiquette, and sheer indulgence. Having recently tried out several of Wheely's services in Dubai, including Luxe, First, and New Business, I can confidently say that this isn't just a premium ride-hailing app — it's a luxury transport experience that's designed to treat time and comfort as the ultimate commodities. Let's start with the fleet. Each vehicle I've ridden in has been pristine and impeccably maintained. The Luxe class, exclusive to Wheely Members, features the ultra-elegant Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. When asked about his driving experience, the chauffeur casually mentioned that there are currently only three Maybachs in the Dubai fleet, making it feel even more exclusive. The ride is buttery-smooth, the cabin incredibly quiet, and the interior detailing speaks volumes about refinement. Reclining seats, ambient lighting, and a sense of absolute calm made this journey feel more like a luxury lounge on wheels. The First and New Business options also delivered above expectations. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the First tier offers thoughtful touches like FIJI Water, Acqua Di Parma car fragrance, privacy blinds, and additional legroom — great for business professionals or anyone who values a serene, distraction-free ride. Meanwhile, New Business, featuring the BMW 5 Series, proves that even their "entry-level" tier is far from ordinary. With bottled Evian, disinfecting wipes, tissues, and dual phone chargers (yes, including USB-C for newer iPhones), it's perfectly suited for modern business travel. One of the biggest highlights was the chauffeur etiquette. Every driver I encountered was not only professional but displayed genuine courtesy and awareness. They opened doors, checked route preferences, adjusted temperature and music when requested, and offered a level of attentiveness that felt natural, never intrusive, always reassuring. In short, they behaved less like drivers and more like concierges behind the wheel. Over the span of a few weeks, I ordered pickups from Muhaisnah 4, Barsha, Palm Jumeirah, and Meydan, and the average wait time ranged between 10 to 20 minutes. Considering the level of service and the exclusivity of certain vehicle types (especially the Luxe class), this felt more than reasonable. Then there's the Wheely app — which is, in itself, a beautifully designed tool. It's fast, clean, and intuitive. One standout feature I particularly liked is the option to request only black vehicles, which subtly adds to the overall premium aesthetic. Be warned, though: filtering by colour or vehicle type can increase the waiting time slightly, but for those seeking a specific kind of experience, it's a small trade-off. Wheely also allows you to book rides for others, a great gesture for gifting or arranging business transfers, and for members, features like Airport Pickups and Chauffeur for a Day add even more polish to the overall offering. To sum it up, Wheely is for the traveller who values aesthetics and service. It's for the executive heading from meeting to meeting or the traveller who wants to feel at ease from the moment they step into the car. In a city like Dubai — where extravagance is standard and service is everything — Wheely manages to stand out by being precise, personal, and impeccably polished. Whether you're looking to impress a client or simply elevate your commute, Wheely might just become your go-to mode of luxury transport.
Auto Blog
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mercedes' Most Expensive Car Is A Luxury Masterpiece
There aren't many other cars in the world that can match this level of luxury. The Priciest Mercedes Rivals Rolls-Royce, Not BMW For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been a benchmark for quality and luxury. If you want a luxury car that doesn't cost Bentley or Rolls-Royce money, Mercedes is often a default choice. The brand now has multiple models that cost over $100,000 and even a few that surpass $200k, but what's the most expensive new Mercedes model you can buy? We'll reveal that model here, while also unpacking the unparalleled technology and quality packed into this decadent beast. 0:00 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More The Most Expensive New Mercedes Is The Maybach S680 Source: 2021 Mercedes-Maybach S680 side view Full-size luxury sedans were once the only symbol of ultimate wealth in the motoring world, but high-end SUVs have eaten into their market share. It's perhaps gratifying, then, to see that the most expensive Mercedes is still a sedan. We're referring to the Mercedes-Maybach S680, which has a starting price of $240,500 for the 2025 model year. After a rocky revival of the Maybach brand in the 2000s, Maybach was reintroduced as a sub-brand of Mercedes in 2014. Today, the S680 is not only Mercedes' most expensive car, but it's the last V12-powered model in the German brand's lineup. Design: A Flagship With Plenty Of Presence The Mercedes-Maybach S680 looks as expensive as it is. The S-Class connection is evident, but there are just enough changes to distinguish it from a standard S-Class, including the bespoke grille, the unique 20-inch wheels, and the fact that it's over 10 inches longer than an S-Class. A variety of two-tone paint options are available, adding another exclusive touch to this grand sedan, but each one costs $14,500. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The most expensive Mercedes-Benz comes with the following standard exterior features: 20-inch Maybach forged wheels All-LED lighting LED digital light headlights Rear electric comfort doors Soft-closing doors Heat- and noise-insulating windshield and side glass Panorama roof Magic Vision Control for wiper blades The attention to detail applied to this sedan is seen long before you settle into one of the lounge-like seats. Take the Magic Vision Control system, for instance, which features wiper blades with laser-cut holes to deliver a perfectly precise jet of water immediately ahead of the blades' path. Together with heated blades, the system ensures a crystal clear view of the road ahead and reduces overspray. Interior: Unparalleled Comfort Meets Immaculate Fit And Finish Whether you're seated in front or at the back, the S680 has one of the finest interiors in any modern car. The high-tech design may lack the sheer charm of a Rolls-Royce Ghost's interior, but we're splitting hairs here, as the Mercedes is an exceptional place in which to travel. The standard materials are stunning. Extended wood trim has been liberally yet tastefully applied, and Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery adorns the seats. Even the ceiling is finished in Nappa leather, while the steering wheel is a classy combination of wood and leather. There is, of course, a bewildering array of colors, materials, and finishes to choose from to customize the cabin, although it doesn't have the endless selection of colors offered by Rolls-Royce. Rear legroom is a highlight, with 49.1 inches available. This, together with the ability to recline the rear seat and move the right front seat forward and out of the way, creates a truly relaxing space in which to nap between meetings. Source: Mercedes-Benz Standard interior features inside Mercedes-Benz's most expensive car include the following: Heated and ventilated front/rear seats Rapid front/rear seat heating Massaging front/rear seats Rear-seat neck heating 64-color LED ambient lighting system Four-zone automatic climate control 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.8-inch touchscreen 3D instrument cluster 31-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system Front and rear wireless device charging Rear MBUX tablet and wireless headsets This is not even close to an exhaustive list, as the S680 is equipped with every conceivable amenity, and that's without mentioning the optional extras. Performance: One Of The Last V12s Provides Silky, Effortless Power A V12 engine isn't strictly necessary these days, as a boosted V8 delivers nearly all the benefits of a V12. That said, for those who appreciate the last word in mechanical refinement, a V12 can't be matched. In this case, a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 delivers 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and nine-speed automatic transmission do an impeccable job of putting all that power down smoothly. The 0-60 mph time is 4.5 seconds, but that's less important than how smoothly the V12 goes about its job. The Airmatic semi-active suspension endows the S680 with a sublime ride quality, while the rear-axle steering makes it feel more agile than its size suggests. What Does A Fully Loaded Maybach S680 Cost? 2025 Mercedes-Maybach S680 in Manufaktur Kalahari Gold/Obsidian Black — Source: Mercedes-Benz Despite its high base price, it's possible to spend a lot more on the Mercedes-Maybach S680. We were able to specify a Maybach with every available extra for a total of $285,580, including the destination charge. The most expensive options were as follows: Manufaktur Kalahari Gold/Obsidian Black two-tone paint: $14,500 Manufaktur exclusive interior: $10,500 Executive Rear Seat package Plus: $6,000 Maybach champagne flutes: $3,200 There is also a single Maybach Night Series Design package for $25,000, but this option eliminates many of the other available features. Other Expensive Mercedes-Benz Models For Mercedes fans with a near-unlimited budget, there are two other models that exceed $200,000. Mercedes-Maybach S580: $203,500 Source: Mercedes-Benz This is the only other Maybach sedan model and it starts at almost $40,000 less. The main difference is that the S580 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp, but it's barely slower than the S680, boasting a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. Most of the time, you may not be able to tell that the near-silent engine isn't a V12. Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance: $207,150 Source: Mercedes-AMG If rear-seat space takes a back seat to performance, you can hardly do better than this, the king of SLs. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid drop-top delivers an astonishing 805 hp and 1,047 lb-ft, for a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds. Two kids can squeeze into the back seats, and they'll never stop gushing about this SL's outrageous performance. Summary: The Most Expensive Mercedes Is A Relative Bargain No, we haven't completely lost our minds. The Maybach S680 is certainly reserved for the ultra wealthy at $240,500, but its only true rivals are even pricier. The Bentley Flying Spur starts at over $270k, and the Rolls-Royce Ghost will cost in the region of $350k. Both have badges that are more prestigious than the Mercedes-Maybach, but the S680 is at least equally as well-equipped at a significant saving, and has better tech than its two iconic rivals in some aspects. It's Mercedes at its best. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How this European carmaker is getting more Americans to drive convertibles
What matters more to drivers these days? Is it technology, horsepower or efficiency? Mercedes-Maybach is betting on lifestyle. Its vehicles -- posh, regal and extravagant -- inhabit the same realm as Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Drive one on Germany's Autobahn, and you'd be astonished at the power and speed. Daniel Lescow, the head of Mercedes-Maybach, said customers are looking to "express their lifestyle and individuality," which may be satisfied by brand's latest status symbol, the SL 680, a glamorous two-seater that launched last year and arrives at U.S. dealers this summer. The SL, which will be priced above $200,000, comes in two curated design concepts, "White Ambience" or "Red Ambience," yet more than 50 exclusive colors are available to choose from at the factory. Plush interiors, premium materials and metal knobs and buttons have become standard in ultra-luxe autos. So Maybach went a bit more extreme, stamping the company's recognizable logo all over the hood, a labor-intensive printing process that involves four coats of clear lacquer and three hand-sanded coats of paint. Remove the lavishness, and the SL is also a true sports car, with a 577 horsepower biturbo V8 powerplant. The convertible's specially tuned suspension gives owners a softer or firmer driving experience, depending on the location and one's state of mind. Lescow recently spoke to ABC News about the SL 680, the sportiest model in the marque's long history, and how he's growing brand awareness in the crowded luxury space. The interview below has been edited for space and clarity. Q: You said you want to make the brand "more desirable." Please explain. A: There's various dimensions to it. One is the product image. The second dimension is the way we connect with our customers and potential customers in retail spaces. One by one we're building these Maybach lounges -- dedicated spaces -- globally for customers to learn more about the cars and brand aesthetics. We have a very elaborate location in India. At one event in Vienna there was a private concert with [pianist] Lang Lang, who played the piano for our most important customers. Another dimension is our collaborations. For example, we're working with a [German] silverware company on champagne flute holders. It's important the brand is centered around the lifestyle of our customers. Q: Convertibles are a niche market in the U.S. How difficult is it to sell convertibles to American drivers? A: It is not so much about the location or the nationality. It's about the individual customer we want to approach. We do see significant potential in the American market. It's an important market for Maybach, clearly. We recently opened a massive Maybach presence at the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Manhattan. We do see strong interest from the American market in open top two-seaters. Last year, we chose Pebble Beach as the global world premiere for the Maybach SL Monogram Series. Q: Who is the Maybach customer? Is it the traditional Mercedes-Benz customer or are you pursuing Bentley and Rolls-Royce owners? A: The customers are as individual as our cars. Many of them have a number of cars in the fleet. Our customers range from entrepreneurs to artists to superstars ... what many of them are looking for is a way to express their lifestyle and individuality. Q: Why doesn't the SL have the brand's venerable V12 engine under the hood? And how comes it's not electrified? A: We are extremely happy to have the V12 in the Mercedes-Maybach S 680, the flagship offering. When we designed the SL, it was very clear that it's a sports car. And it will remain as the Maybach sports car -- sporty yet elegant. The balance, the agility and the way the V8 behaves ... it's the perfect engine for this car. For electric driving, we do have the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, which is fully electric. That car is completely different. The electric drivetrain really adds to what's important to Maybach. It's the most comfortable and quiet ride you can imagine. Q: So there was no discussion about making the SL an electric convertible? A: For this car, no. We wanted to have the characteristic of a sports car with all the emotions around it. MORE: Want an electric vehicle but not a Tesla? Here are some great alternatives Q: Why would a customer choose this model over the AMG SL 63 Roadster? A: The SL 680 is clearly designed for sporty driving but with all the Maybach ingredients: comfort and opulence. Customers looking for an even sportier car would clearly opt for the AMG. The cars are different from the ways they look and behave -- they address different customer needs. Q: How has the brand changed under your leadership? A: It's a privilege to work with such a legendary brand. We launched two new cars, doubling the portfolio from two cars to four with the SL. We have seen brand awareness increasing around the world -- that is something that's very important. I can't wait to see what the future will bring. Q: There's still uncertainty about tariffs and costs -- how does this factor into your product planning? Do wealthy customers still spend money in these unpredictable times? A: There are some uncertainties. At the same time, sales volume will go up and down. And that's natural. For us, it's more important that we build a solid base for the brand and that we continue to build brand awareness. With the right offerings, I have do doubt that Maybach will be successful. How this European carmaker is getting more Americans to drive convertibles originally appeared on
The South African
19-05-2025
- The South African
Popular DJ Kyeezi survives horror hit-and-run accident
Popular Good Hope FM radio presenter Khanya 'Kyeezi' Siyengo was involved in a serious car accident in Cape Town this weekend. The incident that has sent ripples through South Africa's broadcasting community. The crash occurred when another motorist allegedly ran a red light, colliding with Siyengo's BMW 420i – and fled the scene. Despite the severity of the collision, Siyengo incredibly escaped with no major physical injuries, although he has described the experience as emotionally overwhelming. According to Siyengo, the driver responsible has been identified as Michael Jamiu, a Nigerian national allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time. Jamiu was reportedly driving a Mercedes Maybach when the crash occurred. In a dramatic twist, he fled the scene, abandoning his luxury vehicle – and unintentionally leaving behind his passport and personal belongings, which are now in the possession of authorities. In a statement shared via social media, Siyengo expressed immense gratitude for escaping unharmed but admitted to being emotionally shaken by the traumatic event. 'I am currently taking time to process the emotional impact of this accident,' he said. 'I'm incredibly thankful for my family, who are helping me through this.' The wreckage of his BMW stands as a stark reminder of how narrowly he avoided serious harm. Siyengo has issued an apology to his clients, partners, and supporters for any missed commitments over the weekend, reaffirming his dedication even amid personal turmoil. His management team has requested privacy during this period as he focuses on healing mentally and emotionally. Authorities are actively pursuing Jamiu, with the personal items left at the scene expected to assist in the investigation. The alleged drunk driving and hit-and-run charges are likely to carry serious legal consequences. Kyeezi's ordeal serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of reckless driving, especially under the influence. As Cape Town's media community rallies around him, fans and fellow broadcasters have flooded social media with messages of support and well-wishes. Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Motor Trend
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL680 First Drive: Extravagant Comfort
What constitutes extravagance? Webster's defines it as 'Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources.' We're certainly in no position to challenge Head of Mercedes-Maybach, Daniel Lescow's description of the new Maybach SL680 as his brand's most extravagant offering. Priced around a quarter-million dollars and able to carry just two hyper-elite personalities and perhaps a picnic hamper, surely it shan't sell on practicality. Closing our first look at the SL680, we fretted that, like its Mercedes-AMG SL stablemates, the Maybach might struggle to deliver price- and brand-commensurate levels of ride comfort and that, despite being blanketed in wealth-signaling Maybach emblems, the two curated color ambiances announced at the time wouldn't offer the personalization required to trigger an oligarch's extravagance-splurge. Well, nine months later we can reassure the morbidly affluent that this Maybach should cosset their derrieres sufficiently and will indeed provide enough color variation to dramatically lower the likelihood of encountering a fellow plutocrat on the boulevard or valet court piloting an identical bauble. Comfort Promise Fulfilled Since our first introduction to the R232-generation SL circa 2022, Mercedes and AMG have contended that the seventh-gen car's sophisticated hydraulically interlinked, adaptively damped, steel-sprung suspension would offer sufficient 'bandwidth' to ride as comfortably or more so than previous generations while also leveling up the car's appetite for racetrack work. Heretofore, we've never found their comfort claims to ring true, as the cars' rides remained mostly sports-car firm. This Maybach, it would seem, finally broadens that bandwidth sufficiently to validate that claim. Comfort By the Numbers The Maybach suspension-tuning team domesticates these racy suspenders, providing the supple cosseting ride a Maybach customer likely expects, by softening everything. It reduces the front and rear spring rates by 25 percent (from 80 to 60 N/mm) and 22 percent (from 45 to 35 N/mm) respectively, by retuning the bushing rates, and by revising the adaptive damping valves so that they flow more fluid. This enables greater sensitivity to road inputs. Wheel camber is reduced somewhat, to reflect the SL680's less track-focused use case. And an exclusive 'Maybach Mode' setting is added to the suspension menu, which noticeably relaxes the throttle, steering feel, and suspension firmness even further beyond Comfort mode (which remains the default setting the car starts in). How It Feels We spent a few hours on hilly serpentine roads that link various tony resorts dotting the shoreline of Spain's party island, Ibiza, sampling the various modes. We spent most of the drive in Maybach mode and were pleased to find that AMG's Active Ride Control cross-linking system still maintained a very even keel, resisting virtually all dive, pitch, and roll. The less aggressive camber didn't noticeably degrade this SL's ability to negotiate mountain switchbacks at or near the limits of the tires' adhesion. The softer springs, and new Maybach mode damping curve—paired with the high-flow valve—traverse potholes and speed bumps with far less jarring impact, while still preventing the ride from becoming floaty. And if the above-mentioned gear seems to effectively carpet the road, the new bushing package gives it a thicker layer of underlayment. Traversing the same stretch of road in Comfort versus Maybach mode introduces just a touch more road feel—like the carpet nap just got slightly thinner. Sport mode swaps the carpet and pad for a commercial rubber-backed peel-and-stick feel. Interestingly, the car remained fun to send through the corners at high g-loading even in Maybach mode, despite the dulled steering feel. Reduced Responsiveness Drop the hammer in Maybach mode and it seems like the engine suffers turbo lag. Switch back to Sport mode and you feel AMG 63-level throttle response, while also sharpening the steering responsiveness. Another apparent benefit of Maybach mode's throttle programming is that when gently starting from a stop, we never felt any juddering from the wet-clutch launch device, as we've reported on in other SLs. Note that we also chose to leave the Maybach-designed driver-information screen up, featuring speed and tach readouts that resemble those of the stunning Maybach Vision 6 Concept's nacelles, though we resisted leaving the album-art option live on the center section, as it adds another dozen or so M-M logos to that area. Chris-Craft Burble The Maybach-exclusive exhaust, featuring fiberglass batting inside the muffler, strives for silence in Maybach and Comfort modes and comes admirably close, while Sport mode opens a valve to bypass that chamber while also broadcasting more synthetic sound through the cabin speakers (ensuring that Sport-mode sounds nearly the same, top up or down). That curated sound trades some AMG racecar emulation for something more akin to the inboard V-8 music of a classic wooden skiff. Improvements for Other SLs One 'hallelujah' debuting in the SL680 and extending to all SLs soon is the fitment of proper mechanical switches to operate the power-folding top. No more scorching a finger by sliding and holding a virtual button on a sunbaked infotainment screen like in other SLs. And to avoid confusion, separate buttons are clearly marked to raise and lower the standard Maybach-logo-adorned top. Now, if we could only impress upon Mercedes the wisdom of making this Comfort-mode suspension tuning setup available—without the Maybach mode damping curve—on a revived 'Mercedes-Benz SL' model. We feel certain that folks trading up from any of the earlier boulevardier SL generations would strongly prefer that setup to any of the AMG ones for comfort. Maybe an inline-six-powered SL450 could slip in comfortably under the AMG models, price- and performance-wise? Manufaktur to the Rescue When first presented, Maybach played up its 'chef's tasting menu' curated design concept, announcing only two Monogram Series offerings: Opalite White Magno (matte) or tinted-clearcoat Garnet Red Metallic bodywork set off with a black hood and top over a shocking Crystal White interior. Well, fear not, individualists. Mercedes-Maybach has approved a further 50 colors from its catalog of 1,000 durability-tested hues, making any of them available with a hood in the same color, in black, or in black with Maybach emblems dot-matrix printed all over it, Louis Vuitton handbag style. For now, however, white remains the only factory interior offering to be announced. As Fitzgerald quipped, 'The rich are different from you and I.' Apparently their denim is more colorfast. About that Logo Hood … The Maybach SL680 is the first car to utilize this new PixelPaint process, involving a high-precision print head with 1,000 nozzles, each capable of depositing 20-50-micron diameter paint droplets at a rate of more than 1,000 drops per second with no overspray or mist. Starting with an Obsidian Black hood and one coat of clear, Graphite Gray emblems are printed on, and then two coats of clear are applied and hand sanded until the logos can no longer be felt, before a fourth clear layer goes on. The European price for this hood option is 6,500 Euros. How Does the Maybach SL680 Measure Up? Even at this stratospheric price level, buyers have choices, most of which seem more exclusive, because no less-expensive versions share their bodywork. These include the Aston Martin DB12 V8 Volante ($269,000), the Maserati GranCabrio ($203,000 for gas or $206,700 for electric). Then there is the Bentley Continental GTC for those whose base-price budgets can stretch some $82-grand higher. Those cars mostly boast higher output, but nobody's racing them for pink slips, and those boutique brands don't necessarily enjoy the reliability reputation, brand heritage, or dealer network of Mercedes-Benz and Maybach. As mere proletarians, we cringe at the zillion M-M logos carpeting that optional hood, the standard convertible top, the grilles, the door panels, etc. Maybe that's why we're so hopeful Mercedes will grant us an 'affordable' M-M-free SL450 that rides like this.
