MERCEDES has given further details about the change in approach to its car branding with the launch of its most luxurious ever production car.

For so long merely designated by a letter or number, the German company is looking to broaden its appeal across all global markets. In doing so it has recognised that it needs to better classify its cars.

Hence, we have recently seen the launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT, a showpiece for the Mercedes-AMG brand – a name it hopes will eventually put it in the same league as BMW’s M division.

Its latest venture is in a similar vein but aimed at a different market altogether. In the luxury bracket the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley (ironically both now German-owned) reign supreme. Mercedes has tilted at their crown in the past but never quite been allowed in to their exclusive club.

Mercedes has therefore rummaged through its history books and come up with a name it hopes will allow it to be mentioned in the same breath as these British icons – Mercedes-Maybach.

Maybach was originally founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. The rights to the name now lie with Mercedes through its Daimler heritage.

The most recent incarnation of the brand was essentially a long-wheelbase version of the S-Class but while luxurious, the car suffered because of its poor image as a banker’s barge and came to characterise the worst excesses of the pre-crash economy. Some even declared it the world’s most uncool car.

Faced with such a marketing nightmare, Daimler opted to cancel the project and in November 2011 announced that Maybach would cease to be a brand by 2013. The last Maybach was manufactured in December 2012. Unlamented, the model sold just 3,000 since its revival in 2002.

Now, three years after the decision to can the brand, it’s back as the flagship of the Mercedes fleet and in an indication of the markets Mercedes has in mind for the car it opted for a simultaneous launch in the United States and China.

At almost 18ft long and with a wheelbase of more than 11ft, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class – to give it its full title – is by any standards, big.

This is a car it’s better to be driven in than driven yourself. With an extra eight inches on the standard S-Class, rear passengers have acres of legroom and can keep themselves amused between deals thanks to a raft of refinements.

In addition to all the amenities of the conventional S-Class, a number of exclusive interior touches underscore the car’s ambitions. These include the exclusive Maybach perfume Agarwood for fragrancing as part of the Air-Balance package and two silver-plated, handcrafted champagne flutes (both optional extras).

Voice amplification is a novel function emphasising the car’s status as a chauffeur-driven vehicle. Much to vulgar to shout instructions in such refined surroundings, the system allows the passenger to speak quietly to their man upfront – maybe to take the long way to the office.

Looking to switch off from the daily grind, the Burmester® high-end 3D surround sound system offers a unique optical and acoustic experience. For example, the tweeters in the rear doors of the car can be moved towards the passengers in a spiral motion.

The rear seats offer a unique level of comfort thanks to a special adjustable kinematics system. In contrast to the norm, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat remain unchanged. The cushion can be adjusted separately, with inclination and horizontal adjustment combined.

For the executive seats, the maximum backrest angle is 43.5 degrees. The most upright backrest position of 19 degrees is designed to allow relaxed working in the rear. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustable for length and angle. As standard, the luxury head restraints come with an extra cushion.

Should you be interested in the comfort of your driver or by some remote chance keen to get behind the wheel yourself, the Chauffeur package is also part of the standard equipment. A “chauffeur position” for the front passenger seat is one of the key components: due to changes to the kinematics system, the rear seat occupant on the front-passenger side has three inches more footroom compared with a normal front passenger seat in the furthest forward seat position. In addition to this “chauffeur position”, the front passenger seat can be folded forward and the rear seat placed in an extended recline position for breaks. Easy Adjust luxury head restraints come as standard for the driver and passenger, and the one on the front-passenger side is folding. For the rear passenger, the Chauffeur package also includes a heel support, which extends from under the front passenger seat. This allows a reclined position that sets new standards in the automotive sector with respect to sleeping and resting comfort.

The market launch of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is scheduled for February 2015. The top-of-the-range model is the Mercedes-Maybach S 600. Its V12 biturbo engine has an output of 530 hp. With a displacement of 5980 cc, the maximum torque of 830 Nm is available from 1900 rpm. The V8 biturbo engine in the Mercedes-Maybach S 500 generates an output of 455 hp from a displacement of 4663 cc. Its peak torque is 700 Nm. NEDC combined fuel consumption for the saloon is 31.7 mpg (premium petrol). CO2 emissions are 207 g/km.

This is what Mercedes has to say.

“The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class melds the perfection of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the exclusivity of Maybach. Mercedes-Maybach motor cars epitomise peerless exclusivity. Some of the features that distinguish these vehicles from production models include extra spaciousness with lavishly designed, prestigious interiors offering extensive scope for individualisation. As a result, the cars fulfil the requirements of even the most discerning customers worldwide.

“Mercedes-Maybach is not an equipment line – it is a sub-brand that in future will provide Mercedes-Benz vehicles in an even more exclusive form. Alongside Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach is thus the second sub-brand in the Mercedes-Benz brand world. Providing both prestige and exclusivity, it is aimed at customers for whom status is important.”

No details yet on price – but if you have to ask, then you probably can’t afford it.

Citysurfer Concept gets MINI out of a jam

WHEN I opened my Inbox to check on this latest release I felt compelled to check my diary – was it the first day of April?

But no, it really was headed “The MINI Citysurfer Concept”.

Sounds like some new beat combo or possibly Marvel’s latest superhero, I said to myself.

However, Citysurfer is – apparently – “an innovative concept providing increased flexibility for individual mobility in conurbation areas; Citysurfer combines the agile riding properties of a kick scooter with an electric drive and expressive design features in the style of the British premium brand”.

It gets better.

“The British premium brand is now facing up to the current and future challenges posed by the traffic situation in urban conurbation areas all over the world by presenting an innovative concept for flexible individual mobility. The MINI Citysurfer Concept closes the often time-consuming gaps in the transportation infrastructure of modern cities in a way which is convenient, emissions-free and also lots of fun.

“As a light and compact single-track vehicle in the style of a kick scooter with an auxiliary electric drive, the concept study shows attractive ways in which its users can get directly to their final destination without having to consider traffic congestion, the shortage of parking space and the timetable intervals of local public transportation.”

With a maximum speed of up to 15 mph and an electric range of some 10 – 15 miles, the Citysurfer is – so MINI says – “ideally suited for day-to-day use over short distances”.

Power is supplied by a lithium-ion battery permanently installed in the frame; charging is via a 12-volt automobile socket or household socket. It can also be charged during travel thanks to an F1-style brake energy regeneration system.
So basically, you drive somewhere, hit congestion, get it out of the boot and then scoot to your destination.

To me that seems to negate having a car in the first place. But then, what do I know.

Not resting on its laurels, Jaguar gives the F-Type some hardy improvements

JAGUAR’S popular new sports car, the F-Type is already proving a massive hit with customers around the globe.

But JLR is never one to rest on its laurels these days and has now given the car a new powertrain and driveline options intended to broaden the range from six to 14 models.

To enable the car to be driven to its full potential on wet, icy or uneven roads, torque on demand all-wheel drive (AWD) has been introduced to extend the F-Type’s performance and dynamic capability on all road surfaces and in all conditions.

Similar options are available for the XF and XJ – although not in Britain.

However, if anyone is worried about a loss of performance – don’t be. In AWD form, the 550PS F-Type R Coupé will accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, with a limited top speed of 186mph.

JLR has also developed what it calls Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD, a system designed to exploit maximum performance potential of AWD traction while retaining rear-wheel drive character.

To distinguish the AWD variants from the regular models, each gains a unique bonnet design featuring a deeper ‘power bulge’ and distinctive new vents.

For drivers preferring a more hands-on approach, JLR has also introduced a six-speed manual transmission option for the F-Type’s rear-wheel drive supercharged V6 models.

Jaguar is also introducing a 550PS supercharged V8 variant of the R Convertible. This will be available in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations, and replaces the 495PS V8 S Convertible.

Other changes see Electric Power Assisted Steering introduced to enable even greater precision and feel. This also has the added environmental benefit of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 4g/km on the EU combined cycle.

Torque Vectoring by Braking improves agility and – standard on R derivatives – is now also standard on S models and available as an option on entry-level V6 derivatives.

In addition, Sport Design Packs for the Coupé and Convertible models – standard on R derivatives – enhance exterior styling and offer the driver greater freedom of expression to personalise their car.

Other new touches include InControl Touch and InControl Touch Plus infotainment systems, which feature fast, intuitive operation and support Apple and Android smartphone connectivity – and even remote engine starts.

Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover said: “The F-Type Coupé and Convertible already represent everything you’d expect from a Jaguar sports car – seductive design, stunning performance and amazing agility. The addition of all-wheel drive and manual transmission options to the range will further enhance the F-Type’s dynamic capability and offer even greater driver reward – broadening its appeal to sports car enthusiasts worldwide.”

The new 2016 model year F-Type range goes on sale next spring.

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