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Merc boss Dieter Zetsche has admitted that the super luxury Maybach saloon will be facelifted next year - but he refused to confirm that a next-generation car was being planned, adding to rumours that the brand is being axed.

"The contribution of Maybach is not significant or relevant but there are only two players in this market and we are one of them. But there are no plans in the long run," he told Autocar.

Zetsche also revealed that he thinks that luxury buyers' tastes are ch...Read the full article

Autocar:

"The contribution of Maybach is not significant or relevant but there are only two players in this market and we are one of them. But there are no plans in the long run,"

- those two players are Rolls Royce and Bentley, right?  Not Maybach.

- agreed, the contribution of Maybach is not significant or relevant.  To pretty much anything.

 

 

... Zetsche also revealed that he thinks that luxury buyers' tastes are changing towards more "discreet and subtle luxury".

Well I never ... it has taken you a long time and a lot of money to discover that !

"The contribution of Maybach is not significant or relevant' - Can we please have confirmation that this is the true quote Autocar - this is a serious self put down for Zetsche to say about his own brand. I assume that it is a misquote, or Zetsche's poor English, or has been quoted out of context.

It's not true anyway - Maybach is certainly significant and relevant, they exist to highlight just how good Rolls Royce are.

Come on Maybach, read the clues, the Excelero was the only Maybach that put wood in people's pencils. Give over with the sponsoring of Golf tournaments, you're not Volvo. Make something desirable like a CLS style Maybach with a twin turbo 6.2 V8 tuned for torque, make it 4 wheel drive to put down the torque, and you will offer something Rolls doesn't. And this time actually invest in some development, rather than being so arrogant as to think you could bundle some existing obsolete parts together, stick a tree in it and triple the price. We expect more for our money outside the Middle East, and RR gives it to us - their culture, people, factory, and everything is designed to be the best - the car follows automatically.

Here are some spy shots (quality not that good) of the facelifted model. As ever, the unrelenting pace of development at Maybach shows RR and the rest of the world what it takes to be at the top of the automotive tree.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/maybach-62-2010.html

Please let me know if you can spot the difference.

I liked the comment underneath: 'Preposterous. This will do nothing to improve its ‘Ring time.'

Autocar:

the super luxury Maybach saloon will be facelifted next year

 

Does this mean it will be less ugly ? They need to facelift their mascot/badge - it looks like two spiders having nookie.

The production numbers for Maybach is so small compared to RR and Bentley that they are barely a blip on their radar.

Given how nicely designed and equipped the MB S-class is, at a much lower price, it would make sense that this brand will go away.  Maybachs need to be very special, bespoke, and tastefully designed to compete with anyone.

The obscenely priced Maybach Landaulet is an excercise of vulgar excess, and that's the only "special" aspect of their line. 

Personally, I think the Maybach only really makes sense on the continent or in the States. While it is ugly, I know if I were to be driven for a long period in a car, I would prefare to be in the back of the Maybach than any other luxury car, more room, more toys, and more ways to entertain yourself. But these long drives do not exist in UK, or where I live.

As for all the people calling it vulgar, I agree entirely but I do not understand how a RR Phantom is not. Driving along wih a giant chrome snow plow on the front of a car and a badge that looks like an winged woman presenting herself to be taken from behind is neither discreet or unassuming.