2006 MAYBACH 57 | WDBVF78J36A001526

Body Styles

The Maybach 57 was offered exclusively as a four-door limousine, sharing its architecture with the W140/W220-era S-Class but stretched, reinforced, and entirely re-bodied to represent a bespoke luxury flagship. It measured 5.73 meters (225.7 inches) in length, which gave it its name ("57" = 5.7 m).

The body was ultra-smooth and understated — lacking visible aggression, instead opting for discreet opulence. Hidden dual exhausts, chrome accents, a long bonnet, and waterfall grille created a profile that whispered wealth rather than shouting it. The 57S added subtle sport cues like unique wheels, darkened tailpipes, and revised suspension, making it more appealing to owner-drivers.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

“Maybach” is named after Wilhelm Maybach, the early Daimler engineer who helped invent the modern automobile. Revived by Mercedes-Benz in the late 1990s, the Maybach name was chosen to crown the most luxurious vehicle the company had ever made, well above the S-Class.

The model number “57” refers to the car’s overall length in decimetres: 5.7 meters, differentiating it from the Maybach 62 (6.2 meters), which was chauffeur-focused. The naming system was intentionally subtle and metric-based — a departure from traditional luxury brands, reflecting German precision rather than aristocratic flair.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

The name “Maybach” is used globally without translation, and in many markets became synonymous with ultimate wealth — often in rap lyrics, film, and politics. In English and French markets, it was pronounced as “MY-bock,” while in German-speaking countries, it retained its original [ˈmaɪ.bax] pronunciation. The lack of linguistic adaptation added to the mystique — much like "Bugatti" or "Pagani.""57" as a numeral was easily recognizable across languages, and avoided any risk of misinterpretation — especially in Asia or the Middle East, where certain numbers can carry negative connotations.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Maybach 57, introduced in 2002 and produced through 2013, was the embodiment of ultra-luxury motoring — a handcrafted limousine designed to rival Rolls-Royce and Bentley while showcasing Daimler’s pinnacle of engineering and customization. The model name "57" referred to its 5.7-meter length, reinforcing its full-size limousine credentials. Both inside and out, the Maybach 57 was defined by bespoke elegance, discreet opulence, and personalization without limits.

The exterior color options were almost limitless, thanks to Maybach's individual paint program, which allowed clients to select from a curated range of factory tones or commission fully custom shades. Signature finishes included Baltic Black, Rock Crystal White, Casablanca White, Caspian Black, and Tahitian Silver — all chosen for their deep metallic flakes or rich pearl layers. Two-tone configurations were highly popular, with combinations such as Nepal Black over Rocky Mountains Silver or Arizona Beige over Cote d’Azur Blue, adding visual depth and exclusivity. Paints were hand-finished and polished to a mirror-like gloss, and the understated chrome trim, slender grille, and long flowing body emphasized the car’s quiet presence rather than flashy ornamentation.

Inside, the Maybach 57 delivered a yacht-like level of craftsmanship, with an interior fully tailored to the owner’s desires. The cabin offered an array of sumptuous leathers, fine wood veneers, and custom trim inlays, making each car a rolling statement of individual taste. Leather options spanned from Grand Nappa Beige, Java Brown, and Sierra Grey to Black with silver piping, all meticulously stitched and matched by hand. Exotic wood trims included Black Piano Lacquer, Myrtle Sunburst, Burr Walnut, and Poplar, often polished to a glass-smooth finish or satin-lacquered for modern restraint. Clients could choose custom embroidery, monograms, or contrasting piping, and many 57s featured reclining rear seats with footrests, refrigerated consoles, champagne flutes, and rear-seat entertainment systems with folding screens and wireless remotes. The attention to acoustics was exceptional, with double-glazed windows and a Bose Surround Everywhere™ system developed specifically for the car.

Wheels on the Maybach 57 were designed for elegance and ride quality rather than aggression, generally ranging from 19 to 20 inches, depending on the variant. Standard models wore multi-spoke polished alloys in silver or chrome finishes, while the Maybach 57S (Sport) introduced more aggressive 20-inch 12-spoke wheels in Titanium Grey, matched with a lowered suspension and subtle aerodynamic tweaks. These wheels were engineered to preserve the car’s smooth ride while complementing its immense weight and torque. Custom options included monoblock-style wheels, two-tone rim treatments, and even personalized center caps bearing the Maybach double-M logo.

Top Expensive Options

• Twin Rear Reclining Lounge Seats with Massage: ~$9,000
• Rear Center Console Refrigerator: ~$3,800
• Burmester High-End Sound System (late years): ~$5,000
• Rear Seat Entertainment with TV/DVD & Folding Tables: ~$7,200
• Two-Tone Exterior Paint (designo): ~$15,000
• Retractable Privacy Curtains (rear windows): ~$2,000
• 24-karat Interior Trim Accents (limited availability): ~$10,000
• Intercom with Chauffeur Talk-Through System: ~$1,500
• Custom Leather Color Matching (by sample): ~$5,000+
• Signature Maybach Champagne Flute Set in Crystal: ~$1,200

vs Competitors

The Maybach 57 was designed to outclass the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII, Bentley Arnage/RL, and BMW 760Li. Against the Phantom, it offered greater comfort, better technology, and superior ride refinement, though it lacked the Rolls’ imposing presence and heritage aesthetic. Compared to the Bentley Arnage, it was more spacious, quieter, and reliable — though arguably less emotionally engaging.

Unlike its British rivals, the Maybach’s styling was intentionally discreet. This worked well in the Middle East, Russia, and Asia, where many ultra-wealthy buyers preferred understatement. In North America, however, the Maybach struggled with identity: some viewed it as an “S-Class plus”, despite it being mechanically and financially in a different league.

The 57S version tried to capture the sport-luxury niche, offering sharper dynamics and more responsive throttle mapping. While it still wasn't a canyon carver, it became a genuine driver’s limousine — rarer in a segment designed for being driven.

Fun Fact

Maybach offered a "paint-to-sample program" that allowed customers to match their car’s color to anything — from a bottle of nail polish to a private jet. One customer famously requested their Maybach 57 be finished in a color-matched silver based on a yacht's hull — a process that took over six weeks and cost more than $30,000.