06 Mar 08
The opulent Landaulet is a Maybach for sun-seekers. A version of the 62 S saloon with a huge folding roof, it has to be the ultimate luxury convertible. First seen at the Dubai Motor Show last autumn, the Landaulet will be available to special bespoke-build order with prices from €900,000.
Designed as a chauffeur-driven vehicle, only the front compartment has a fixed hard-top roof. The folding section is fully powered and near-silent, with a tubular steel structure and neat leather tonneau cover, and it tucks away in less than 20 seconds.
The Geneva show car is finished with white leather massaging, reclining seats and piano black trim with granite inserts, but virtually any colour combination or material can be specified. There are larger head restraints than in the saloon, to help reduce wind turbulence, plus an automatic wind deflector.
The climate control system can be controlled from the rear compartment, and there is a powered laminated panel and intercom system to communicate with the driver. Between the rear seats are storage compartments and a console with DVD player, CD autochanger, cooler compartment and securely-gripped silver champagne flutes. Buyers can request no end of comforts, conveniences and luxuries - from monogrammed or laser-etched upholstery to gold keys, 24-carat gold trim details, a mobile office system and a compass indicating the direction of Mecca at all times.
Pulling all this along is a version of the Maybach twin-turbo V12 giving 612bhp and 738lb ft, and the whole thing rides on air suspension with adaptive damping. It's hardly a sports car, but the Landaulet can nonetheless do 155mph and 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds. Fuel consumption? 17.2mpg, but then if you're buying one of these, you probably own an oil well.
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
