Mercedes-Benz plans to elevate its E-Class to Maybach levels of luxury

By Miles Branman September 10, 2015

Mercedes E63 AMG front angle — Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

According to a new report from Autocar, Mercedes-Benz plans to add to its Maybach sub-brand with an elite extended-wheelbase E-Class variant.

Based on the next generation E-Class, the range-topping Maybach edition may debut as soon as next year’s Beijing Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz also plans to add a GLS Maybach SUV to rival Land Rover’s Range Rover Autobiography edition. There’s a good chance the Maybach range will expand to include a cross-coupe based on the GLE Coupe in the next several years as well. With an AMG-sourced engine, that model could rival the upcoming Lamborghini Urus.

Power for the E-Class Maybach will come from AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 tuned to 417 horsepower. There may also be a hybrid version with an all-electric range of 31 miles.

2015-S-CLASS-S600-MAYBACH — Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach

The Maybach E-Class will gain several inches of interior room thanks to a longer wheelbase, and the rear seats will be modified as individual massaging, reclining units like those on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Other improvements over the standard E-Class will include more premium leather upholstery, rear-seat entertainment systems, pillow-style headrests, a Burmester surround sound system, unique wheel designs, and additional chrome trim. Demand for a more premium E-Class comes mostly from the Chinese market, where long-wheelbase and more luxurious vehicles are commodities for executives. Presently, Bentley, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other luxury automakers sell extended, more refined variants of several models exclusively to China, while other markets focus on performance, efficiency, and styling.

While the standard E-Class closely rivals the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, the Maybach version will be more of a Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide S competitor due to its guaranteed price jump, upgraded styling, and rear-seat configuration.

The standard E Class starts at $52,650, but the Maybach edition could fetch as much as double that.

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