New Maybach gets spotted on the road

It seems like Mercedes is testing the next generation of its Maybach S-Class out in the open. The car wears a tricky wrap, but who are we to complain?

The immediately noticeable changes include narrower headlights and pop-out door handles. The body dimensions seem identical to those of the current generation (much unlike those of the new EQS liftback). Specifically, the car is 5,453 mm (17.89 ft.) long with 3,365 mm (11.04 ft.) between the wheels. Things may change when (or if) a long-wheelbase ‘Pullman’ version is released. The current Pullman is 6,499 mm (21.32 ft.) long with 4,418 mm (14.5 ft.) separating the axles.

As usual, the new Maybach can be expected to have a wheelbase larger than that of the regular S-Class, wider rear doors and a differently styled greenhouse (including the small glass panes in the c-pillars).

Data submitted to the Patent Office so far indicates that the new model will be called ‘S 680’. The current Mercedes-Maybach flagship is the S 650, packing 630 hp (463 kW) along with 1,000 Nm (738 pound-feet) of torque. Those hoping for even more displacement room that before will be disappointed, since the range-topping 6.0 V12 has been discontinued. Chances are the new Maybach ships with the same four-liter, twin-turbo mill as most other high-end Mercedes vehicles these days. There are certain odds of a hybrid powertrain with a single electric motor thrown in.

An S 600 might make a comeback, too. The iconic luxury sedan/saloon used to ship with the abovementioned 6.0-liter V12 engine (530 hp / 390 kW, 830 Nm / 613 lb-ft). The alleged new S 600 will likely squeeze out the same horsepower rating, but out of a V8 TT this time around. 

With the above in mind, it is still possible that the series gets access to the three-liter inline-six engine used on the current-gen Mercedes-Benz S 450 and S 500. Both are mild hybrids assisted by 22-hp (16-kW) electric motors. The S 560 e packs a 3.0-liter V6 paired with an electric motor for 476 hp / 350 kW total output. Mercedes has been known to produce ‘entry-level’ Maybachs before, the best example being the S 400 (333 hp / 245 kW, 480 Nm / 354 lb-ft).

In all likelihood, the upcoming Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV will be getting a similar drivetrain based on a twin-turbo V8 and a small electric motor. The top trim version will likely be called the GLS 680.