Mercedes-Benz's most luxurious sub-brand, Maybach, has provided updates for the latest model year across its range. These changes extend to the 62 model, which is an extended-wheelbase version of the normal 57 ultra-luxury sedan.
Updates include a restyled exterior with a raised hood, larger grille, divided bumper, LED daytime running lights and darker tail lenses - all of which add a welcomed mid-cycle refresh to the model to help set it apart from the previous model year.
Interior changes include .925 sterling silver " Maybach Manufaktur" badging in seat backrests, new seat stitching as well as new interior colors, trims and paints to update the already incredibly luxurious cabin.
Also changed is the hefty 5.5-liter bi-turbo V12 engine, now slightly uprated for a total output of 543 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, while still being mated to a stout five-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, all of that power must be transferred to the asphalt, and in the latest model year the 62 continues to do so with 19-inch wheels, albeit with a new 21-spoke light-alloy design.
Maybach also says that the aerodynamic signature of the vehicle has been improved, which also helped to reduce interior noise levels and increase passenger comfort.
Like the rest of the Maybach lineup, the Maybach 62 is rated at 10 city, 16 highway miles per gallon.
As with all Maybach models, the 62 doesn't particularly have a list of "standard" features as each model is custom ordered and is highly customizable. In fact, Maybach doesn't even publish a content list for its models for media or customers - to get this information one must visit a dealer to view the massive custom order guide.
That said, there are a few details known about the latest 62, but the automaker did announce new items that are available on request, among them seat piping which is hand-braided or refined with crystallized Swarovski Elements, an exquisite flacon perfume atomizer and a WLAN router for wireless internet access.
This state-of-the-art WLAN connection uses HSDPA, UMTS and GSM/EDGE transmission standards. A new mobile phone hands-free system with Bluetooth functionality is also available in the rear, and a newly developed DVD player in the rear now also reads extended DVD formats.
As an option a large, high-resolution cinema screen with a 19-inch diagonal can now be fitted to the center of the partition in the Maybach 62 models.
If required Maybach will also fit the vehicles which have a partition - which, incidentally, can now also be personalized with motifs of the customer's choosing - with an overview camera, via which the rear passengers are able to keep an eye on the traffic in front of them without being seen themselves - even with an opaque partition window.
Other luxurious features include full power closing of the rear doors, optionally available electro-transparent rear roof section and optional power glass partition with a retractable curtain and intercom system.
As one would expect in a luxury executive sedan with a starting price fast approaching $430,000, the Maybach 62 showcases masterly handcraftsmanship with no compromises in the interior, where materials of the highest quality abound. There are also three new interior appointments with different leather, carpet and headlining colors.
Key Competitors
With parent company Daimler preparing to shutter the Maybach brand in the near future, buyers should either make a move to purchase a 62 sedan quickly. The alternative is to start considering a model from a rival brand such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Bentley Mulsanne and the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG. It should be noted that none of these competitors are quite as large, particularly in the backseat, as the enormous Maybach.