Enjoy plugging into the Mercedes-Maybach S580e from this test. Logical or does this not suit this car?
Let’s refresh what it was like again: Maybach was a separate brand a long, long time ago. At the beginning of this millennium, Mercedes reintroduced it, but it was not successful. Since 2015, Mercedes-Maybach has been a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz and they are selling like crazy.
It does mean that as an S-class buyer you have to show your true colors. Do you go for a touch of sportiness and the Mercedes-AMG S63 or do you opt for the opulent luxury of the Mercedes-Maybach S580e. This test will hopefully help you with this choice.
Confusingly enough, we already did the test with the Mercedes-Maybach S580. That was the version without “e”; a dirty, polluting petrol car. That is really no longer possible, and this segment also needs to make improvements. The S580e is a true plug-in hybrid, so your driver can plug it in.
S 580e – the logical choice
The main reason to go for the S580e is so that you can tell your staff that this Maybach hardly consumes any gasoline. A little solidarity with your account managers who travel hundreds of kilometers every day in their e-208 to visit customers.
To be very precise, the Mercedes-Maybach S580e has CO2 emissions of 14 g/km and a standard consumption of 0.6 l/100 km. That’s all negligible, so well done by Mercedes-Maybach.
The basis for the success is the electric motor that has 150 hp and 440 Nm. It draws its power from a 28.6 kWh battery, giving the Mercedes-Maybach S580e an electric range of 100 kilometers. More than enough to reach a nice lunch spot at noon.
If the battery is empty, it can be charged with 11 kW via a regular AC connection. However, fast charging is also possible with 60 kW on a DC charger, but then you have to have lunch very quickly.
The alternative is to address the six-in-line in the forecastle. It is three liters in size, has a maximum power of 367 hp and delivers 500 Nm of torque between 1,600-4,500 revolutions per minute.
The total system power is 510 hp/750 Nm. It makes the S580e the slowest of the Mercedes-Maybach S-classes: the sprint to 100 takes 5.1 seconds. The top speed is set at 250 km/h in accordance with good German custom.
Are there any negatives?
A hybrid has two (or more) engines on board, so there are always switching points. If the owner sits in the back left, you as a driver want smooth acceleration, smooth cornering and silky smooth braking. “The left in the back” shouldn’t really notice that we are on our way. If you ever come across a big S-class on a cloverleaf, you might notice: they really don’t drive fast through the bends.
Driving 100% smoothly with a PHEV: that demands even more from the man behind the wheel. They will probably choose to drive solely on the electric motor or to always run both engines.
Killer features of the Mercedes-Maybach S580e
Spacious, luxurious and lavish. Life on board the Maybach S-class is really nice. The basis is formed by a “normal” S-class, but with a much longer wheelbase. The Mercedes-Maybach has a 29 cm longer wheelbase, bringing its dimensions to 3.40 meters. The total length is 5 meters and 48 centimeters. A standard parking space is 5 meters, so you won’t be able to park the Mercedes-Maybach S580e just anywhere.
The extra length fully benefits the rear passengers. At the rear right, the seat can be placed in a particularly comfortable reclining position. The question is whether, as a busy CEO, dictator or EU official, you have the time to relax. Usually the travel time also has to be converted into working time, doesn’t it?
Alternatives for the Mercedes-Maybach S580e
The amount of space on the back seat is unique, or you have to move to something with a flying lady on the hood. An EU official with a Rolls-Royce may have a really hard time in the re-elections and the rather lavish appearance will not suit more people.
There are long versions of the Audi A8, BMW 7-series and Lexus LS, but they still don’t match the Maybach. A Range Rover Long Wheel Base may be a surprising alternative, the high entry and seating is not very surprising for a car driven with a driver.
If it were up to me, I’d give up some wheelbase and go for the excellent Mercedes-AMG S63. It offers almost the same comfort, slightly less space (on the back seat), but is surprisingly fun to drive. And oh, how fast the S63 AMG is.
Conclusion
There are two reasons to go for the Mercedes-Maybach S580e and pass up the S580. The latter has a V8 with approximately the same specifications, but is about 50 grand more expensive. CO2 emissions are 18-23 grams/km, so the purchase tax is pleasantly low.
The other reason to plug in your Maybach is public opinion. If you allow your employees to drive electrically, you may also have to plug in yourself. The same applies to your subjects as EU regents.
By the way, the Mercedes-Maybach S580e drives electrically quite sublime, but of course the performance is somewhat limited. That is not a real problem, because the man in the back does not want to feel the G-forces at all. So subtly zipping through the city without any emissions is definitely an advantage. Would you like to take another look?
