Maybach coupe renderings revealed

We recently brought you images of the facelifted Maybach range, but here's a variant you won't find in the updated line-up.

Pictured alongside are the first renderings of a Maybach-derived coupe conjured up by German engineering firm Xenatec, which plans to build and sell 100 examples, priced in Europe from 650,000 euros ($985,000).

The swoopy two-door will target ultra-premium opposition such as the Bentley Brooklands and Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe.

Although it's the same length (5730mm) as the 57S sedan from which it's derived, the Xenatec-designed coupe is appreciably lower and wider, which is no doubt why it looks so much better than the frumpy donor car.

The project was apparently given the green light by Maybach's Daimler parents, and the company is supplying Xenatec with built-up 57S chassis. What's more, Euro sources suggest Daimler design boss Gorden Wagener had a hand in the coupe's design.

The coupe retains the signature Maybach face, but the front and rear windscreen rake is far more pronounced, and the B-pillar sits 200mm further back to allow for the longer doors.

There's more than a hint of Mercedes CL in the coupe, and this is no bad thing, according to our eyes.

Propulsion comes from the same twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 as the Maybach 57S, and this unit thrashes out a towering 457kW and 1000Nm, which means it should have the wherewithal to comfortably match the Brooklands and Phantom Coupe in the performance stakes.

The coupe sits on a widened track and retuned air suspension, while the 10-spoke rims are 20-inchers.

There's no doubt the coupe is a much better visual proposition than the sedan, but we remain to be convinced that there 100 buyers queuing up to buy one. Time will tell...

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi