New Life for Maybach?

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed)
Sep 6th 2010 at 6:01AM

Disheartened by talk that Maybach could be given the axe? Then we may have some good news for you. Although as yet unconfirmed, reports indicate that parent company Daimler may be planning to keep its most prestigious marque around a while longer, with several new models planned to make it so.

If they prove accurate, a slew of new Maybachs could be based on the upcoming new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Among them could be replacements for the current 57 and 62 models, along with a "four-door coupe" in the same mold as the Mercedes CLS, and potentially a four-door convertible – a body-style not seen for decades but often rumored to be in the works at Maybach.

Motivation is expected to come from even more powerful versions of the current twin-turbo V12, along with a new transmission with as many as nine speeds and a possible hybrid variant.

Gallery: 2011 Maybach