Author Archives: veryimportantcars
2015 Porsche Cayman GT4
Porsche’s GT family is proud to announce the addition of an exciting new member: the Cayman GT4. This is the first Porsche GT sports car based on the Cayman and features components of the 911 GT3. Clocking a lap time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds on the North Loop of the Nürburgring; the Cayman GT4 earns the same lap time as the 2011 911 GT3 and positions itself as the new benchmark atop its market segment but not only… this lap time put its in some very fast though unofficial company, like a Gallardo Superleggera, a Mercedes SLS, a 997 GT3, and faster even, than a 911 Turbo S.
The Cayman GT4 clearly demonstrates Porsche’s dedication and passion to continue to promote truly industry-leading two-door sports cars in the future – sports cars that are developed at the Motorsport department in Weissach. GT sports cars engineered by Porsche embody the most passionate connection possible between everyday driving and Porsche’s competition heritage and highlight the sporty core of the brand: Intelligent Performance.
Technical aspects of this new GT sports car are based on the 911 GT3. As a mid-engine sports car and a prime example of driving dynamics in its class, it follows the conceptual tradition of such cars as the 904 GTS, 911 GT1, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. Underneath, there’s a 385 hp at 7,400rpm, 3.8-liter 6 cylinder boxer (flat engines in general) engine amidships, credited as being derived from the Carrera S. While there are those out there still lamenting the fact that the GT3 can only be had with a dual-clutch transmission, the Cayman GT4 transmits its power solely through a six-speed manual transmission with dynamic gearbox mounts. The extra power reduces the Cayman GT4’s 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) per hour sprint to 4.4 seconds, a half second quicker than its “sister” Cayman GTS, and bumps top speed up to 183 mph (295 km/h).
The Porsche Cayman GT4 celebrates its world premiere in early March at the Geneva International Motor Show. This vehicle will arrive at dealers in this 2015 spring (July for the Americans). If you want to take it further, the options sheet will include ceramic brakes and carbon fiber bucket seats. The starting price for the Cayman GT4 is €90,000 or $85,000
2015 Ferrari 488 GTB
Less of a completely new model and more of an evolution, the latest mid-engined V8 supercar from Ferrari is the first in history to get a turbocharger. This is the new Ferrari 488 GTB and is provided by a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8; when both turbos are scrolling up the result is more than 660 hp, a substantial improvement over the normally aspirated V8 that powered the 458 Italia, this car’s predecessor.
The adoption of turbos may be considered by some as a dilution of the character that made the contest between the McLaren and Ferrari V8s so compelling. Boosty, whooshing McLaren or screaming, hot-blooded Ferrari – each brilliant in its own right and making for one of the great supercar rivalries of recent times. To remain competitive in important markets like China Ferrari needed to go sub 4.0-litre – the McLaren is of course a 3.8 – and turbos were inevitable; you can be sure much effort will have gone into making the 488 sound as good as the 458 and Ferrari promises “a new soundtrack that is full, clear and totally distinctive.”
But as well as more power, it’s also faster – faster than its current closest competitor, the McLaren 650S. Ferrari is claiming a 0-62 Mph( 0-100 km/h) time of just 3 seconds and a top speed of 208mph (334km/h). Most impressively, thanks to a smaller cubic capacity and horsepower generated by turbos, the 488GTB is more economical than the car it will be replacing.
But emissions is the only area in which Ferrari is holding back. The 488GTB has a revised double clutch, seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox and updates to the intelligent traction control and differential system and to the stability control, meaning that drivers will be able to use more of the car’s ferocious power more of the time without leaving the track in a tight bend.It also features a revised Side Slip Control 2 (SSC2) system, working in tandem with the F1-Trac and E-Diff systems to keep the supercar on the razor’s edge without sliding off of it. The revised bodywork also generates 50 percent more downforce, thanks in no small part to the active diffuser that necessitated moving the exhaust pipes upwards – and a more slippery shape than any production Ferrari yet. The interior has likewise been revised with new control clusters, air vents, instrument panel and infotainment system for optimized ease of use.
The exterior that wraps around all of this engineering excellence is once again designed by Pininfarina and picks up where the 458 Italia left off. The new car retains the same proportions and stance but appears more balanced. The biggest visual differences between the old and new car are the front nose air inlets and the side venting over the rear wheel arches that improve cooling and down force – the inlets are actually integrated spoilers. Inside, the cabin has had another upgrade too. Ferrari is persisting with the multifunction steering wheel which is great on the track but confusing on normal roads but the infotainment system is new as are the lever switches and even the air vents.
The car will make its official debut in 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March, and expect it to be joined in the not to distant future by a convertible version. No word about pricing yet, but it’s worth knowing that the current 458 Italia starts at roughly $230,000 (205,000€). Don’t be surprised if the up-rated 488 demands something of a premium!
2015 Cadillac CTS-V
We know that we don’ t speak a lot about American cars, Europeans are better 🙂 but , in this case, we have to make an exception. Today we write about the 2015 Cadillac CTS-V. The big news is what’s underhood: General Motors’ supercharged, 6.2-liter LT4 V8, tuned to 640 hp and 630 pound-feet of torque. That’s 10 hp and 20 lb-ft less than the monstrous Corvette Z06, and the result is the most powerful car Cadillac has ever produced. With rear-wheel drive, launch control and the eight-speed automatic transmission (sorry, folks – no more manual transmission here), Cadillac says the 2016 CTS-V will sprint to 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 200 mph.(320 km/h)
Naturally, Cadillac’s engineers say they have tuned the CTS-V to ensure it can put all that power to the ground with the most precision and poise possible. That starts with the excellent Magnetic Ride Control active damping system (with a claimed 40-percent increase in responsiveness)and a 25-percent increase in structural stiffness that should improve overall handling and steering. What’s more, a high-performance Brembo brake package comes standard, as do 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in seriously sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires that will reportedly offer 1g in lateral acceleration.
Cadillac also says that all changes to the bodywork are functional. That includes a carbon-fiber hood, front splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser that are super light and aid with aerodynamics and weight reduction – all of which will be available as an optional package for folks who like the exposed carbon look. Inside, it’s more of what we’re used to on lesser CTS models, but there’s newly optional carbon fiber trim, microfiber suede upholstery trim, and some seriously awesome Recaro seats.
Additionally,Cadillac will offer GM’s Performance Data Recorder in the CTS-V. It records high-definition video with data overlays that’s sharable via social media. Beyond that, Cadillac will offer the usual smattering of tech goodies, including Siri Eyes Free, OnStar with 4G LTE, CUE infotainment with navigation and Bose audio.
The CTS-V will launch later next year, following the debut of the smaller ATS-V. In the meantime, the sedan will officially bow at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we assume it’ll be revealed in the not-too-distant future. In any case, this thing looks seriously good, and to say we’re stoked to drive it would be an understatement. This ought tobe the maximum Cadillac V-Series, indeed.
2015 Audi RS3 Sportback
Audi has released details for the hot five door Audi RS3 Sportback a four-wheel drive, 362hp super hatch that’s aiming directly at the Mercedes A45 AMG.
The last RS3 was based on the previous generation A3, so this latest version carries many improvements that the newest platform offers. As a result, the 2015 RS3 is claimed to be faster, lighter, safer and more refined than before.
The 2.5-litre turbo charged unit is carried over from the old RS3, and with it, the wonderful five-cylinder sound that testers and petrolheads love. One change immediately noticeable to drivers will be the introduction of flaps in the exhaust pipes, which open on heavy throttle opening to enhance the noise further. That isn’t all Audi changed though. Thanks to various tweaks, power has risen by 22hp, to 362hp. Torque now stands at 465 Nm (343lb ft) which is available right from 1,625rpm through to 5,550rpm, enabling it to punch vigorously at the horizon in any gear and at virtually any speed.
This boost in power, combined with both a 55kg reduction in weight and a quicker-shifting seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, means that the latest RS3 will hit 100km/h (62mph) from a standstill in 4.3 seconds(looks like an Aston Martin DBS V12 !) , an improvement of 0.2 seconds over the old one. It means it’ll be very, very fast.
Conveniently, it also means that this figure is identical to that of its closest rival, the Mercedes A45 AMG. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155mph), but that can be optionally lifted to 280 km/h (174mph)!!!
Some of the upgrades to the engine have improved efficiency too. The motor is now compliant with the latest EU emissions regulations, and the RS3 will now return a claimed 34.8mpg – an improvement of nearly 3mpg over the last version.
Previous Audi RS models have been criticised for a sightly nose heavy feel, which leads to understeer (the wheels pushing wide in fast corners) when driving enthusiastically. Audi’s answer to this is to adjust the four-wheel drive system so that between 50 and 100 per cent of torque is sent to the rear wheels at all times. With the Electronic stability control system set into Sport mode, Audi even claims a spot of drifting is possible…
The suspension set-up is unique to the RS3. Bespoke aluminium and high strength steel components are designed to handle high cornering loads, and optional magnetic dampers offer instant and adjustable control depending on road conditions. Huge 370mm brake disks at the front are gripped by eight-piston callipers, so stopping sharply shouldn’t ever be a problem. As an option, carbon ceramic brakes are available, which should be more resistant to fade under extreme (i.e track) use.
There are numerous styling changes to set the RS3 apart from the regular A3 Sportback. At the front, a new bumper houses two huge air dams beneath each headlight, and are framed by a large swooping ‘blade’ of matt aluminium running the width of the bumper. The familiar Audi grille features large Quattro lettering at the base to make its performance intentions clear. Along the flanks, 19 inch wheels sit beneath the arches, and the car rides 25mm closer to the ground, while the details are finished with aluminium door mirrors and roof rails. Around the back, huge twin tailpipes are housed within a re-profiled bumper, and a larger spoiler sits on the leading edge of the rear window.
The interior gains some typical RS touches to add to the sporty feel. A flat-bottomed steering wheel sits ahead of the driver, and new front sports seats – made from carbon fibre and trimmed in leather – save seven kilos each compared to the standard seats. Fancier pedals, sportier dials and glossier trim complete the look.
The previously mentioned Mercedes A45 AMG is the RS3′s closest competitor, but the likes of the BMW M135i and Volkswagen Golf R would also be well worth considering.The RS3 Sportback will be available to order from March, and deliveries start in the summer. Prices have yet to be announced.
2016 Mercedes – Benz GLE 450 AMG Sport Coupè
Call it the answer to BMW’s X6, or call it simply another monstrosity foisted upon the world at the behest of success in China, but the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Sport Coupe is here, and it’s … certainly something. When it is introduced late summer 2015, the GLE coupe will do what few have dared to even dream of: deftly fuse the elegance of an E-class sedan with the strength of the ML SUV, adding that dash of AMG flair that discriminating individuals of moderately high net worth crave. The result will be, we’re promised, a “superior feeling of calm, coupled with serene driving dynamics.”
Yes, the GLE 450 AMG Sport coupe could be the single most earth-shattering car since the Patent-Motorwagen, forcing us to re-envision personal luxury transportation in its variably dynamic wake. Or we could be reading the Mercedes-Benz press release a little too closely.
Under the chiseled hood of the GLE 450 AMG, the first of Mercedes’ AMG Sport models, sits a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6. Unlike the 330 hp unit in the C400 and E400, the force-induced V6 generates 362 hp and an equally robust 384 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated up to a new nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ 4Matic AWD system. A new version of the popular Airmatic suspension is being offered with the ADS Plus continuously variable dampers while Mercedes is also fitting its Active Curve System, complete with active roll stabilization.
Mercedes doesn’t provide many additional details on the GLE Coupe range, as it were. We know about the 450 AMG, but it’s not clear whether there will be a GLE 400 or non-AMG 450, or if Mercedes will move it down market and offer a GLE 350 to compete with the X6’s xDrive35i. There’s also no mention of when or where the new model will debut, although previous reports point to the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Prices and an on-sale date, meanwhile, have not been revealed.
Scroll down for the full press blast from Mercedes-Benz on its newest model, the 2016 GLE Coupe.
Pricing hasn’t been announced for the GLE 450 Coupe, though it will almost certainly play in the same space as BMW’s X6,
2014 MTM Audi S8 Talladega
If the ABT Audi S8 is not enought for you, MTM Audi S8 Talladega is the best you want; a handsome, mean and aggressive sports saloon with tons of power and a huge turn of speed. As for why it’s called Talladega, the reason is short and this: it’s an homage to the Audi 5000 CS Turbo that reached 350 km/h on the Talladega Speedway in Alabama in 1986.
This limited edition tuner car offers 760 hp and 945 Nm of torque, which is a huge increase over the standard car, already pretty potent at 520 hp and 650 Nm.
To achieve that frankly staggering power, MTM engineers have fitted the V8 engine in the S8 with M-Cantronic and V-Cantronic kits including turbocharger, MTM 4-pipe stainless steel exhaust system with flaps in 2 pipes. Being a professional tuner, MTM has also upgraded the chassis with F-Cantronic II suspension and 21-inch wheels, and powerful ceramic brake. They top it all off with an aero kit designed to both look good and increase the downforce.
With that kind of power and sophistication, MTM Audi S8 Talladega can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62mph) in 3.4 seconds and reach 325 km/h flat out.
All this goodness is, of course, not cheap. The standard S8 costs 115,000 Euro. The MTM Audi S8 Talladega, limited to 25 units, is 189 708€ (about 235 000$ or 150 000£)
Something about the tuner: MTM Motoren Technik Mayer GmbH, is a German car tuner and small manufacturer based in Wettstetten,
Roland Mayer was an Audi engineer involved in the development of the five-cylinder turbo engine of the quattro sport race car of Group B. In 1990 he founded his own company, which specializes in modifying the engines ECU. Since founded the company focused on the Audi brand but today also offers products for other VW brands like Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini and Bentley. MTM has a global dealer network of nearly 90 distributors in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.The company is a member of the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the Association of Automobile Tuners.
MTM achieved notoriety for its high-speed testing. For its projects the company uses the “Bimoto”, which is an Audi TT equipped with two 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engines from Volkswagen. This configuration gives a power of 375 kW (510 hp) from each motor, with a maximum output of 750 kW. The power from the engines is transmitted via two six-speed transmissions to both axles. In 2003 during an Auto Motorund Sport test drive, the “Bimoto” was measured at a speed of 374 km/h, a new record for this publication.
In September 2009, during auto motor und sport tests, a modified MTM Audi RS6 reached a speed of 344.2 km/h. Thus the vehicle set the world record for the fastest wagon
2014 Ferrari Sergio
This is the Ferrari Sergio! The first Ferrari Sergio has arrived in the United Arab Emirates. It has been delivered today to its new owner, the SBH Royal Auto Gallery in the UAE, at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, where the Finali Mondiali Ferrari are being staged and which is home to the Ferrari World theme park.
Designed by Pininfarina, just six of this incredibly limited edition roadster are being built. The car was created to celebrate the spirit and core values of the historic Cambiano(a small country near Turin) company in the 60th anniversary year of its collaboration with the Prancing Horse. Needless to say, Sergio was the only possible choice of name for the model, in homage to great Sergio Pininfarina ,who sealed the unique, longstanding partnership with Ferrari.
The Ferrari Sergio is a genuinely radical car. It is both exclusive and spare in the sense that every single element aboard is focused entirely on performance. An authentic open-top, it explicitly references the track, underscoring and intensifying its sense of sportiness, fun behind the wheel and the pleasure of design at its purest.
The Ferrari Sergio’s performance and dynamics are excellent in the extreme too. It is based on the 458 Spider and retains the latter’s technological content as well as all of the functional aspects of its cockpit. It is powered by the latest 605 hp version of Ferrari’s naturally aspirated 4497 cc V8 which has won the International Engine of the Year award on three consecutive occasions. This power unit also guarantees the car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3,4 seconds.
Who was Sergio Pininfarina:
Sergio Pininfarina ,whose design firm created the rakish and elegant auto bodies of some of the most popular, and fastest, cars ever made by Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Fiat. He was born in 1926 in Torino, Italy and died at 82 years (in 2002) in the same place. Following his graduation in 1950 from the Polytechnic of Torino with a degree in mechanical engineering, he joined the family firm. Not unlike most young designers, Sergio was first interested in designing sports cars. His father, however, had other ideas. The elder Pininfarina quickly involved Sergio in every aspect of the company: design, engineering, fabrication and manufacturing. He encouraged his son to become fluent in several languages and stressed the importance of building relationships both inside and outside of the company.
Sergio quickly came to understand the power and influence the name “Pininfarina” carried within the auto industry and the obligation to uphold the family reputation was always at the forefront of his mind. The seriousness at which he took the family business was rewarded in 1960, when he was named General Manager of the firm. In 1961, he also became Managing Director, and in 1966, at the time of his father’s death, took over the Chairmanship of the company. Under the superb leadership of Sergio Pininfarina, the firm created some of the world’s most significant automobiles and concept cars.
But the legacy of Sergio Pininfarina goes well beyond outstanding automobiles. During his five decades of leadership, automobile production increased 100 times, from 524 units per year to more than 50,000. In 1964 he constructed a new Studio and Research Center. In 1972, Pininfarina opened the first full-scale wind tunnel in Italy and one of only a few in the world. Sergio Pininfarina has long been involved in automobile safety, not only for road cars, but racecars as well. As early as 1963, Pininfarina created the Sigma prototypes, which featured both active and passive safety features, before many auto makers began taking vehicle safety seriously. Similarly, Sergio Pininfarina is keenly aware of the environmental stresses caused by automobiles around the world. With increasing vehicle production in North America, Europe and Asia, Pininfarina was an early advocate of reducing hydrocarbons and increasing fuel economy. His sign appears in lots of incredible supercars from the Ferrari F40, of which was lead design, to Maserati Quattroporte.
2014 Mercedes SL 63 AMG Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg Edition
Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its triumph in the Formula 1 World Championship with two exquisite special models of the SL 63 AMG – co-created by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Lewis Hamilton, who became the Formula 1 champion for the 2014 season after a series of memorable duels, proposed black as his base colour. Nico Rosberg, his fiercest rival in this season’s races, chose white as his colour theme. Mercedes-Benz is only producing 19 of each model. And each model in the “World Championship 2014 Collector’s Edition” is effectively one-of-a-kind: for each individual vehicle is dedicated to one of the 19 Formula 1 race tracks used this year and is unmistakeably identifiable as such through some of its equipment and appointment details.
Lewis Hamilton: The Formula 1 champion Hamilton demonstrated his penchant for glamour and the exceptional with a black SL – athletically challenging. This vehicle comes in the special paint finish designo night black magno which can be found on such detachable body parts as the exterior mirrors, door handles and rims as well. Gold-coloured lettering, fins and stripes on the rear bumper impart a feeling of power. The tailpipe trim is in chromed black.
Black and gold dominate the interior, too: gold-coloured stitching adorns the seats in black nappa leather, the instrument panel and centre console are also covered in black designo Exclusive nappa leather, with the trim parts gleaming in gold.
Nico Rosberg: Rosberg’s SL provides an elegant contrast. With the main body finished in designo cashmere white magno, the detachable body parts such as the door handles, wheels, lettering, fins, the insert in the front bumper, surround for the daytime running lamps, window trim and the spoiler lip in the boot lid provide a finely-judged contrast in designo himalayas grey. Both Formula 1 drivers were in agreement when it came to the tailpipe trim: it is in chromed black for the white car, too.Designo Exclusive Style leather in titanium grey sets the tone for the interior in the Nico Rosberg model. It adorns the seats, which have basalt grey topstitching, the steering wheel, the door beltlines, the soft-top cover and also the upper part of the instrument panel. The lower part of the instrument panel is finished in deep white nappa leather, as are the centre console and the door panels. The trim parts gleam in designo cashmere white magno.
The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine in both Mercedes-AMG SL 63 special models has an output of 585 hp and torque of 900 newton metres, giving them breathtaking thrust. The top speed limit of both has been raised to a championship level of 300 km/h, making them true high-performance roadsters. Both the Lewis Hamilton and the Nico Rosberg model have the same top-flight specification. It includes the AMG Driver’s package, numerous assistance systems, AMG sports suspension, AIRSCARF, the Bang & Olufsen B&OSound AMG sound system, a panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, as well as AMG sports seats and much, much more.
The World Championship 2014 Collector’s Edition thus offers the legend amongst sports cars that is the SL in two top-class versions. They reflect both the sporting rivalry and the goal shared between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
The price for the strictly limited-edition and unique pair of vehicles, both of which immortalise the exciting duels fought through this Championship, is €629,510. A single vehicle costs €320,000 (250.000£)
Aston Martin DB10: 007 Spectre
Aston Martin together with EON Productions, the producers of the James Bond film franchise, unveiled Bond’s stunning new car, the Aston Martin DB10, on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios.
The luxury British sports car brand is delighted to confirm that James Bond will once again drive an Aston Martin in Spectre. On this occasion, it will be a model developed specifically for the film and built in-house by the brand’s design and engineering teams.
Led by Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, the design team worked closely with the film’s director, Sam Mendes, to create the ultimate car for the world’s most famous spy.Celebrating the great British brand’s half century with Bond, which started with the iconic DB5, the DB10 gives a glimpse to the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martin.
Aston has now confirmed that the DB10 was ‘developed specifically for the film, production will be strictly limited to 10 of the bespoke sports cars, developed and built by the designers, engineers and highly skilled craftspeople at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters.That’s the official line, anyway.
However, do note that the film is set to be released around the time we’re excepting Aston to unveil the real DB9 replacement, which is set to go on sale in 2016.
Other intel on the upcoming model includes its continuing use of the aluminium VH architecture albeit in much updated form – while power is set to come from a twin-turbocharged V12 of as yet unconfirmed parentage. The DB9 replacement may also get the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that’s coming to lesser Astons; it’s also certain to use a Mercedes electronics package in place of existing systems.
2015 Mercedes Maybach S600
Here we are again speaking about one of the most elegant car you ever seen! Time, misfortune and unrealistic expectations have conspired over the years to kill the Maybach marque (this the last one that we spoke Maybach 57s Knight Luxury ), but it just won’t die! The 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600 represents the latest attempt. Mercedes says the car is scheduled to hit the market in April 2015 and will cost about $200,000(160.000€).
The model exhibited in the Auto Guangzhou and the LA Auto Show seemed to offer luxury comparable to Bentley, but a click below a Rolls-Royce. The expectation seems to be that a significant number of them can be sold in America and China. Indeed, the vehicle was introduced here almost at the same moment it was shown to audiences at another auto show in Guangzhou, China.
Mercedes claims the new Maybach S600 is the quietest sedan in the world. The cabin is lined with heated, cooled massaging seats that recline and include legrests; leather, wood and chrome everywhere; individual climate control; and hand-crafted, silver-plated Champagne flutes. Adding to the sense of calm and comfort are rear seats that wouldn’t look out of place in Business Class on a long-haul flight. They don’t just recline, they do so with calf support and each element of the seat can be adjusted individually. When it’s time to catch up on sleep, the front passenger seat can be moved forward and folded up so that the rear seat can recline almost flat.
Ola Källenius, a Mercedes board member, said in introducing the vehicle. “As an addition to the portfolio of S-Class sedans, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sets new standards in the luxury segment. The vehicle satisfies the very highest requirements in terms of exclusivity, appointments and comfort.”
It is, fundamentally, an S-Class sedan stretched by about eight inches (20 cm). On the outside, there is scant difference between a Maybach and a Mercedes.
The company said that the S600 would be the first of several vehicles in a new Mercedes-Maybach “subbrand.” No further details were provided.
The company said Mercedes-Maybach would provide a higher level of luxury to certain Mercedes vehicles, while the AMG division, ranked alongside Maybach as a subbrand, would continue to emphasize performance.
Even though Maybach will be more about opulence than performance, the Maybach version of the S600 will be powered by a twin-turbo, 6-liter V12 that produces 530 hp and 612 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight the car can still do a 0-to-60 mph (0-100 km/h) run in 5 seconds.
V.I.C. 