Mercedes-Benz Maybach Review

It's been called the most exclusive automobile in the history of mankind. Named after Mecerdes-Benz's first designer, Wilhelm Maybach, Daimler produces just 5 hand-built units per day, or about 1000 units annually. Sit back in the $425,000 (no, that's not a typo) Maybach 62, and all your

- senses are pampered in luxury as your chauffeur takes care of actually driving the 543 horsepower twin-turbocharged V-12 beast.

But what kind of navigation system do you get in a vehicle that costs about $100,000 more than the average cost of a new home sold in the United States in 2006? Read on.
Although we'll be primarily focused on the Maybach's integrated navigation system (COMAND Navi), it's worth a quick walk-through the Maybach's luscious exterior and interior.
The Maybach 62 shares the same basic shape as

Maybach's doors feature a sophisticated hydraulic system that holds the door securely in any position past an opening angle of 15 degrees, even when parked on a hill or when the wind is blowing. A pneumatic servo locking system pulls the doors (and trunk lid) securely closed - so even if you don't close the door fully, the system will pull the door into the locking position for you.

Sure, the Maybach may cost more than an average home, but it's a lot nicer inside than your average house too! Both hand-sewn Grand Nappa leather rear seats can be fully reclined. His and hers DVD/TVs are built into the back of the front seats, both of which can tap into the 21 speaker Bose sound system -- although you can also use the included wireless headphones that stow neatly in each rear door if you prefer.

What, your car doesn't have a refrigerated rear console?

Naturally, there's no shortage of the obligatory cherry wood trim in the Maybach 62. Notice the retractable curtain on the rear window and rear door - one touch of a button and the shades are drawn for an even quieter, more private driving experience. Draw the shades, recline the seat, and throw on a DVD and you've got a traveling home theater.

Ambient lighting (notice the three small lights above the headrest), extra soft leather pillows, and noise dampening curtains all add to the overall quiet calm that washes over you as you sit in the back of a Maybach.

The rear door curtains can be partially or fully closed, as shown above.

Both rear seats have a rotating backrest, lower leg rest, and foot rest. Aircushions in the -backrest, massage function, and active seating ventilation complete the "Maybach experience".

If your important enough to drive around in a $400+ car, you just might need an emergency SOS button one day...