China debut for updated Maybach range

Perhaps realising that China now represents its best (or only) prospect for sales growth, Maybach has chosen the Beijing motor show to wheel out its facelifted/updated range, which gains a range of visual and technical tweaks, as well as more luxury gear.

External mods include a larger, more upright chrome radiator grille that comes in two different variants. In the Maybach 57 and 62 models it has 20 fine longitudinal bars, and in the Maybach 57 S and 62 S it features 12 solid double louvres and a "shadow strut".

Other visual changes include a reprofiled bonnet (more arrow-shaped than before), a mildly revised bumper/spoiler with LED daytime lights bordered by a chrome insert, dark red taillights and a newly developed paint finish.

There are also new exterior mirrors with optimised aerodynamics for less wind noise, while the Maybach 57 and 62 models gain new high-sheen 21-spoke 19-inch wheels in titanium silver.

Meanwhile, the 57 S and 62 S models will come as standard with new 12-spoke 20-inch wheels in noble sterling silver. All models are available in the new Bahamas Blue paint.

Optional new luxury features include seat piping that is hand-braided or refined with CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements, a flacon perfume atomiser and a WLAN router for wireless internet access [Ed: No, we're not sure what all that means either].

Also available for rear-seat passengers in the 62 and 62S is a 19-inch cinema screen and an overview camera. Meanwhile, 57 and 57 S buyers will also be able to opt for the rear reclining seat from the Maybach 62 models.

As you'd expect of an ultra-luxo limo that will be carting around dignitaries and VVIPs, the Maybach can be ordered with a privacy partition -- which, incidentally, can now also be personalised with motifs of the customer's choosing. The overview camera then enables rear passengers to keep an eye on the traffic in front without being seen themselves.

The power output of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 in the 57 and 62 models remains unchanged, but the 57 S and 62 S now eke out 463kW -- yet Maybach claims emissions levels have been reduced across the range.

In case you're wondering about the significance of the model numbers, they reflect the length of the vehicle in decimetres (so the 57 is 5.7m long and the 62 stretches a gargantuan 6.2m from bumper to bumper).

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