Mercedes-Benz is known the world over for producing luxury automobiles, but even among Benzes there’s a hierarchy. The S-Class sits at the top of the Mercedes range, the Maybach at the top of the S-Class, and what you see here sits at the top of the Maybach line. It’s the new Pullman limousine, and it arrives on the 50th anniversary of the original.
Stretching a massive 21.3 feet, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is even longer than the previous Maybach 62 by a full foot, and a good 3.5 feet longer than the standard-wheelbase Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, or two feet longer than the G63 AMG 6×6. In other terms, it’s over a foot longer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB, and the better part of a yard longer than even the Cadillac Escalade ESV. Heck, you could just about fit Benz’s other flagship, the Mercedes-AMG GT, inside the new Pullman’s 14.5-foot wheelbase. As if that’s not enough, it also stands 3.9 inches higher than a standard S-Class to the benefit of its imposing presence and interior space.
Should you be so fortunate as to be graced with an invitation to step inside, you’d find an interior entirely clad in leather with four seats: two recliners and two fold-down seats facing backwards. Those principal rear seats can recline between 19 and 43.5 degrees and offer an extensive array of individual adjustments to cater just-so to the occupants’ individual preferences.
Ingress and egress are enabled by larger rear doors that open in front of – instead of next to – those rear seats to enhance the privacy of the traveling dignitaries, who will be able to monitor the state of affairs through the analog thermometer, speedometer and clock mounted in the roof liner. They’ll also enjoy privacy thanks to the electrically operated glass partition wall with an 18.5-inch monitor mounted in front of it and a choice of Burmester sound systems.
Long the favorite of heads of state and captains of industry, the new Pullman will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show now just weeks away. We don’t doubt that Mercedes will offer its customers a choice of engine options (as long as they’re capable of motivating the new Pullman’s assuredly substantial heft), but most suitable to the task will of course be the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 with its 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. Prices will start at around half a million euros, which works out to about $570k at today’s rates, but US availability is still being sorted out between Daimler and either the Department of Transportation or (more likely) the State Department.
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THE NEW MERCEDES-MAYBACH PULLMAN
High-end luxury-class motor vehicle with a proud pedigree
February 17, 2015 – Stuttgart/Geneva — The 50th birthday of the best-known Pullman sedan of them all, the Mercedes-Benz 600, is set to coincide with a special debut at the Geneva Motor Show: the launch of the new Pullman. Mercedes-Maybach’s second model will assume the top-of-the-range position, with vis-à-vis seating in the passenger compartment and high-end automotive luxury that is traditionally associated with Maybach.
Its length of 21.3 feet (6.50 meters) alone is a sign of the special status of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman. It provides space for a generously-sized and tastefully-appointed club lounge in the rear, which has a multitude of creature comforts fitted as standard. This chauffeur-driven limousine is more than equal to today’s demands for the ultimate in exclusivity and luxury. The VIP occupants sit on two standard-specification executive seats facing the direction of travel. They can enjoy the greatest legroom in the segment; and can get into and out of the car with the greatest of ease and comfort. As is typical for a Pullman, the four passengers can sit facing each other in the compartment with an electrically-operated partition window. The prices for unarmoured models start at around half a million euros (as of mid-February 2015, EURO 500,000 = USD $566,922); the first customers will be taking delivery of their vehicles, which of course offer unrivalled scope for individualization, at the beginning of 2016 (this model is TBD for the U.S. market).
Many governments, rulers and royal families around the world have for decades chosen Mercedes-Benz sedans with the designation “Pullman” to drive them with the stateliness and style befitting their status. With its new model, the company is now extending its unique position in this demanding segment: “Quite apart from providing stately and stylish seating for high-ranking passengers in the comfort and spaciousness for which it is famed, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level,” commented Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler AG Management Board responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail.”
The Mercedes-Maybach Pullman provides extremely spacious seating combined with unique features characterized by their extraordinary and perfect craftsmanship. It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualize the appointments of their top-class limousines. The exquisite Maybach paint finishes, which are applied in several layers, count as part of this specification.
With a length of 21.3 feet (6499 mm), the Pullman is another 3.5 feet (1053 mm) longer than the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The wheelbase is an impressive 14.5 feet (4418 mm). Furthermore, at 5.2 feet (1598 mm) in height, the Pullman is more than 3.9 inches (10 cm or 100 mm) higher than a Mercedes S-Class, resulting in a tangible increase in headroom.
The absolute top-of-the-range model is the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman S 600. Its V12 biturbo engine has an output of 390 kW (523 U.S. SAE hp). With displacement of 5980 cc, the maximum torque of 612 lb-ft (830 Nm) is available from 1900 rpm.
The name Pullman was originally applied to railway carriages with luxurious open-plan compartments manufactured by the American Pullman Palace Car Company. This name was soon also applied to the motor cars from Mercedes-Benz which were based on an extremely long wheelbase and offered a very generously-sized passenger compartment. In the rear, separated from the driver’s area by a partition, there was space for four passengers to recline regally in four single seats facing each other.
Extremely spacious seating in the rear, entire vehicle interior is leather-clad
As its name suggests, the four seats in the rear of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman are arranged vis-à-vis. The owner and VIP guests are seated in the direction of travel on two executive seats which are part of the standard specification; other passengers can sit on the fold-down seats facing backwards. If specifically requested, the Pullman can also be delivered in an exclusive version without the additional seats.
The executive seats offer a unique level of comfort thanks to their special adjustment kinematics. In contrast to the norm, the backrest is adjusted separately while the footwell and seat reference point 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 allows relaxed working in the rear. The reclining seats feature a calf support, which is freely adjustable for length and angle. The luxury head restraints come with an extra cushion as standard. The two first-class travellers in the rear have the greatest amount of legroom of any car in the segment, as well as 2.4 inches (60 millimeters) more headroom than in a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
There is one design difference compared with the existing Pullman model: in the new model, all seats are easy to get to. This improvement was achieved thanks to the large rear doors and the position of the passengers on the executive seats, which is even further to the rear. A real boost in comfort for those heads of state and monarchs for whom protocol dictates that they must take their places ahead of their interpreters. This seating arrangement also preserves their privacy, as a large proportion of their bodies is hidden by the rear roof pillar.
The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is upholstered in leather throughout as standard. Not only is the roof liner upholstered in high-quality leather, but also the door frames and seat consoles. As one would expect of a Maybach, there are three analog instruments in the roof liner informing passengers in the rear of the outside temperature, speed and time.
The partition wall between the rear and the driver’s area ensures discretion. The glass partition wall can be lowered electrically. It can also change from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. This allows – in combination with the equally standard-specification curtains for the rear windows – for different levels of privacy. The standard-fit 16:9 format 18.5 inch (47 cm) monitor located in front of the partition can also be extended electrically.
Those who demand uncompromising quality of sound and appreciate perfect music reproduction can choose between two innovative Burmester sound systems. The existing Burmester surround sound system delivers the legendary and unmistakeable magical sound for which the high-end audio specialist from Berlin is famous. But as an option par excellence, the Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System provides matchless listening pleasure and outstanding sound quality.
It goes without saying that Mercedes-Maybach offers its customers unique opportunities to individualise the appointments of their top-class limousines. The key account managers in the exclusive Maybach centres throughout Europe as well as the sales advisors in the Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets are happy to provide further information on this.
The history: Pullman limousines from Mercedes-Benz
Happy Birthday: the best-known Mercedes Pullman, the Mercedes 600, is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015. Mercedes-Benz first started offering the prestigious-looking variant in this model series as a “series-production vehicle” in 1965. Having said that, the tradition of offering exclusive limousines with the Pullman name goes back even further at Mercedes-Benz:
Three special-design examples of the model 300 in Pullman dimensions, referred to in the vernacular as the “Adenauer Mercedes,” were made in 1960. And following on from the W 100 model series, in subsequent years there were Pullman versions of the S-Class 109 and 126 model series (special production) as well as the 140 and 220 (both standard production).
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