Mercedes-Maybach already a hit with Oz elite

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• Mercedes plans more Maybach models

A dozen of Australia's wealthiest have already stumped up for the ultimate Mercedes-Benz.

The German brand launched its most luxurious model, the Mercedes-Maybach S600, at the Motorclassica expo in Melbourne this week, confirming final prices and specifications for its ultra long wheelbase limousine.

Despite commanding a price tag of $448,610 (plus on-road costs), Mercedes said it will deliver 12 of the opulently-appointed cars before the end of the year and expects to shift even more over the next 12 months as production increases. By comparison, Mercedes sold just 13 of the eponymous, million-dollar Maybach models between 2008 and 2011.

The S600 is the first in a new series of high-end models planned under the Mercedes-Maybach sub-brand, which the German car maker says will signify the epitome of luxury in much the same way its AMG division delivers on performance. 

Mercedes has yet to officially confirm any extensions to the Maybach family, but has admitted taking on the new breed of super SUVs - including the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce's project Cullinan. It is expected that Mercedes-Maybach's rival will be based on the refreshed GL due next year.

Before then, the Mercedes-Maybach S600 cost just $35,000 more than the regular S600. For that, the Maybach shares its 390kW twin-turbo V12 but has an even longer wheelbase - with 200mm added between the axles for additional rear seat space - and is fitted as standard with Executive rear seats that feature reclining back rests, heating and ventilation functions and a hot stone massage function.

It even has a voice amplification system so that chauffeurs can communicate clearly with rear-seat occupants without the need to raise their voice, which shouldn't be an issue in the first place as Mercedes claims the Maybach S600's cabin is the quietest in the world.

And it is loaded with all the comfort and safety features expected from a range-topper, including a sumptuous leather-lined cockpit with fine wood grain highlights, high-end Burmester 3D audio system, Wi-Fi connectivity, semi-autonomous cruise control in stop-start traffic, night vision and Mercedes' Magic Body Control suspension that uses stereo cameras to read the bumps in the road and pre-load the dampers to maintain a flat ride.  

In other markets, the Mercedes-Maybach is also available with a 4.7-litre V8, but Mercedes Australia will not offer the smaller engine to maintain the exclusivity of the flagship.

Mercedes-Maybach earlier this year also revealed an even longer Pullman version at the Geneva motor show. 

At 6499mm in length, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Pullman is a generous 1046mm longer than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. This has been made possible by a 1053mm lengthening of the wheelbase, which grows from an already generous 3365mm to a whopping 4418mm, in the process requiring an additional side window and providing the opulent German limousine with unparalleled levels of rear seat legroom.   

The new fifth-generation Pullman, conceived as an indirect replacement for the discontinued Maybach 62, offers a series of rear seating layouts, including a four seat vis-à-vis arrangement behind an electrically operated partition that can be ordered with an electrochromatic glass screen. 

Alternatively, customers can choose a two seat rear arrangement with back rests that recline to an angle of up to 43.5 degrees and an added 60mm of headroom over the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Among the many options available on the new range topping Mercedes-Benz is an 18.5 inch monitor that automatically deploys in front of the partition at the press of a button. 

Mercedes-Benz Australia has no plans at the moment to offer the Pullman variant locally.