We don’t know why the Mercedes Maybach exists and we assume Mercedes executives also ask themselves why the Maybach exists at all. Since the ultra-luxury brand was revived in 2002 until it ceased in 2013, only 3,000 Maybachs were sold. In 2013 Mercedes sold 6 Maybachs for the entire US market. The Maybach brand was subsequently ended only to be revived in 2014 as a sub-brand of the S Class. And the S Class is why the Maybach has a problem and why very few people buy one. But the biggest problem is this. An S Class or Maybach will never be in the same class as a Bentley or Rolls Royce. A Maybach will always be premium luxury as opposed to decadent, ultra-luxury offerings from Bentley and Rolls Royce.

And they, being Mercedes, have done it again. Mercedes have done it again by missing out on an opportunity to turn the Maybach into a pure electric luxury limo. Instead, they fitted a 6.0-litre, 621bhp V12. The V12 engine is becoming the steam engine of our time it is dying, it should be consigned to the history books now. But Mercedes has done it again.

Mercedes have to ween themselves off the V12 era, it was good, it was a blast and nothing will ever again compare to the roar of a V12 at full pelt. Electric cars don’t do the doppler-effect. Those days will be missed for sure. For us here at DCB HQ the days of the V12 are over.

For sure the Mercedes Maybach will be luxuriously appointed, ride like it’s high on weed and offer and the latest technology. And it will cost an eye-watering $184k for what is an extended wheelbase S Class. The S680 is scheduled to go sale in June 2022 for the North American territories.

If you live in Germany and have no shame, you can order one right now.