In 2002, the brand Maybach returned to the car industry.
The former ultra-luxury vehicle was back on the market aiming directly to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but with more technology displayed.

In 2009, the German car-maker introduced a new version for its already known Maybach 57 model: the 57 Zeppelin. It was a tribute for the former air-ship glory that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, equipped with Maybach engines. It was the most luxurious way to travel in the world.

Traditionally, most of the Maybach vehicles were built by independent coachbuilders based on a Maybach chassis. 80% of the pre-WWII Maybach cars didn’t feature a Maybach bodywork. But the economy had changed and the Maybach 57 was built by Mercedes-Benz. From the outside, the 2009 57 Zeppelin model featured a two-tone paint. The beltline was painted right through to the background of the headlamp assemblies in the Rocky Mountains light brown, in contrast to the Taiga black finish used for the rest of the vehicle body. By special order, the customers could choose whatever color they wished.

Inside, the Maybach 57 featured the most luxurious cabin offered in a passenger car. For the arrangement of the interior, Maybach customers could choose between six grand Nappa leather colors and piano-black wood trim. The door panels were engraved with the “ZEPPELIN” word. A special fragrance was designed for the interior, which was sent through the ventilation system.

The engine was a 6.0-liter V12 with three valves per cylinder and bi-turbocharged was a carryover from the Maybach 57S. It delivered 640 hp to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission.

In 2002, the brand Maybach returned to the car industry.
The former ultra-luxury vehicle was back on the market aiming directly to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but with more technology displayed.

While Rolls-Royce and Bentley used to build very expensive cars for rich and, usually, older buyers, Maybach was built for the young guns. Rich buyers from the younger generation. Unlike the other two, traditional, British brands, the Maybach was loaded with new technologies. The brand was revived by Mercedes-Benz in an attempt to counter-balance the success obtained by BMW with the Rolls-Royce brand.

Traditionally, most of the Maybach vehicles were built by independent coachbuilders based on a Maybach chassis. 80% of the pre-WWII Maybach cars didn’t feature a Maybach bodywork. But the economy had changed and the Maybach 57 was built by Mercedes-Benz. And that was not the best idea. The car’s shape reminded of that from a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Despite the new headlights, the new radiator grille, and the new taillights, the shape was way too similar to be named as a different brand.

Inside, the Maybach 57 featured the most luxurious cabin offered in a passenger car. For the arrangement of the interior, Maybach customers could choose between six grand Nappa leather colors and three high-quality types of wood. It offered more than any other luxury car on the market.

The engine was a 5.5-liter V12 with three valves per cylinder and bi-turbocharged. It was the most powerful unit installed in a sedan at that time. With 550 hp and 900 Nm (663 lb-ft) at the crank, the engine was just too much for the latest 7G-Tronic gearbox so the older 5G-Tronic was chosen instead.

The 57 S model was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 as a special enhanced version of the previously released “regular” model.
The car was tweaked to the extent of exaggeration with the introduction of a grand AMG hand-built 6.0L V12 plant with power and torque outputs of 603 hp and 1000 Nm. Acceleration to 62 mph is done on the 5 second realm while top speed has been increased to 171 mph compared to that of the “common” 57 model which was electronically limited at 155 mph. Other features include larger 20” alloys and lower sophisticated air-cushioning for a firmer ride.