GALLERY: Mercedes-Maybach S500 live in Malaysia

Yesterday, we brought you photos of the Mercedes-Benz A 250 Motorsport Edition; now let’s take a look at the other end of the spectrum, with the Mercedes-Maybach S 500. The big daddy of the local S-Class range, the Maybach is part of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Dream Cars range, catered to the most elite of buyers.

This X222 S 500 is the base model in a two-car range that also includes the Maybach S 600. Of course, it’s really only a “base model” in a strictly technical sense, particularly when it retails at a cool RM1.35 million.

So, what do you get for more than double the price of a regular long-wheelbase V222 S 400 h? Well, there’s an extra 207 mm in length, with 200 mm of that going to the wheelbase. As a result, the Maybach measures 5,453 mm long, 1,899 mm wide and 1,498 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,365 mm. Kerb weight is now over the two-tonne mark, sitting at a whopping 2,220 kg.

Differentiating the Maybach from the standard S-Class are the redesigned rear doors, which are actually 66 mm shorter – this allows the rear passengers’ heads to sit behind the rear pillars, creating an impression of privacy. The rear doors’ small triangular windows have also been moved behind into the C-pillars.

Other unique cues include a double-louvre front grille (usually reserved for the V12 S 600 and S 65 versions of the standard S-Class), a full chrome B-pillar, extra chrome accents on the front and rear bumpers and quad exhaust exits. The wheels – 20-inch multispoke alloys – are identical to the ones on the S 400 h.

Inside, the Maybach S 500 features much the same kit as on the S 400 h, including a wood-trimmed steering wheel, an Air Balance package, seat heating and ventilation, a Rear Seat Reclining package, a Rear Seat Entertainment package and a Chaffeur package that allows the front passenger seat to be folded forwards for more legroom.

What is different are the Maybach badging on the centre console cupholder lid and rear air-con panel, embossed Maybach logos on the front and rear arm rests and an IWC dash clock that’s only offered elsewhere on AMG models. Extra kit includes the Exclusive Package that adds Nappa leather upholstery with quilting and the top 1,540-watt Burmeister 3D High End sound system with 24 speakers.

Unfortunately for a car of this price, the Maybach S 500 retains the S 400 h’s three rear seats, instead of the optional individual rear seats with a full-length centre console available elsewhere. However, the Maybach does come with a reclinable ottoman on both outer rear seats, instead of just the passenger-side one on the standard S-Class.

Under the bonnet sits a 4.7 litre biturbo V8 that develops 455 hp and 700 Nm. Unlike the standard S-Class, Maybach models are fitted with the new nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, enabling the S 500 to hit 100 km/h in just five seconds before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

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