About Maybach

Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach with his son Karl Maybach as director. The company was originally a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin/GmbH and was itself known as "Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH" (literally Airship Engine Company) until 1918. Today, the brand is owned by Daimler AG and based in Stuttgart.

Models

Pre-war

• 1919 Maybach W1: Test car based on a Mercedes chassis
• 1921 Maybach W3: First Maybach, shown at Berlin Motor Show. Featured a 70 hp (52 kW) 5.7L inline six.
• 1926 Maybach W5: 7L inline six, 120 hp (89 kW)
• 1929 Maybach 12: V12 precursor to DS7/8
• 1930 Maybach DSH: Doppel-Sechs-Halbe ("half a twelve cylinder") 1930-37
• 1930 Maybach DS7 Zeppelin: 7L V12, 150 hp (112 kW)
• 1931 Maybach W6: Same engine as W5, longer wheelbase. 1931-33
• 1931 Maybach DS8 Zeppelin: 8L V12, 200 hp (150 kW)
• 1934 Maybach W6 DSG: Featuring a twin overdrive transmission system.
• 1935 Maybach SW35: 3.5L 140 hp (104 kW) I6
• 1936 Maybach SW38: 3.8L 140 hp (104 kW) I6
• 1939 Maybach SW42: 4.2L 140 hp (104 kW) I6
• 1945 Maybach JW61: 3.8L 145 hp (108 kW) I6

W2 were the 5.7L inline six engines built for and ordered by Spyker. Not all were purchased, and Karl had to build cars featuring the engines to offset costs.

Around 1800 Maybachs were built before WW2.

Post-revival

• 2002 Maybach 57 and 62
• 2005 Maybach Exelero (prototype shown at the IAA in Frankfurt)
• 2005 Maybach 57S (the S standing for Special rather than Sport)
• 2006 Maybach 62S
• 2007 Maybach 62 Landaulet (prototype)

Future models

Three new models are expected, a 4-seat coupe derived from the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, an ultra-luxury crossover SUV derived from the GL-Class, and a smaller sedan, which would be sold for $250,000. Recently, they announced that they will launch a Landaulet convertible like the Maybachs of old and this will be first shown in Dubai.