Maybach Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222)
2015–2020 (X222; S 600 from 2015, S 650 from 2018) · Maybach Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222) — Luxury Saloon, V12 Twin-Turbo, designed by Gorden Wagener.
The Story
The original standalone Maybach 57/62 was a magnificent failure — roughly 3,000 cars in a decade, a $300k brand that never out-glamoured Rolls-Royce. So when Mercedes brought ‘Maybach’ back in 2015 it did the clever thing: not a separate marque, but a sub-brand sitting atop the S-Class, the way AMG sits atop performance. The X222 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class stretched the long-wheelbase car by about 20 cm, poured in sound-deadening until the rear cabin was (Mercedes claimed) the quietest in the world, and aimed squarely below Rolls and Bentley on price but above everything else on value.
It worked. Where the old standalone car limped, the sub-brand sprinted: ~15,000 sold in year one, ~60,000 by 2019, China taking the lion’s share. The headline car is the V12 — the S 600 (523 hp) and later the S 650 (621 hp, 6.0 biturbo) — though a V8 S 560 joined to do the same trick for less. This is the car that proved the Maybach name had a future, by stopping pretending to be a Rolls and instead being the best back seat money could sensibly buy.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Luxury Saloon class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Gorden Wagener
German car designer, b. 3 Sept 1968 (Essen); joined Mercedes-Benz 1997, Chief Design Officer since 2016. Author of the ‘Sensual Purity’ philosophy that defines the modern Mercedes-Maybach look. FLAG: reported to step down 31 Jan 2026. Source: Wikipedia Gorden Wagener.
Studio Motors POV
The Maybach S-Class is the smartest car in ultra-luxury: ~90% of a Rolls-Royce rear seat for a third of the money, and depreciation has turned the V12 cars into one of the great value plays in the segment. Buy the back seat, not the badge — and buy it used.
The Engine
M279
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222)
Worth Knowing About the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- • The Maybach name was nearly buried — the standalone 57/62 sold only ~3,000 in a decade and was axed in 2012; Mercedes revived 'Maybach' as an S-Class sub-brand (like AMG), not a separate marque.
- • The executive package ships with hand-finished Robbe & Berking silver-plated champagne flutes and a console fridge sized for a champagne bottle — plus a hot-stone massage in the reclining rear seats.
- • It's stretched ~20 cm in length and wheelbase over the long S-Class, with extra seals and sound-deadening; Mercedes claimed the world's quietest production rear cabin.
5 Fast Facts
- • The revival car: brought 'Maybach' back as a sub-brand after the standalone 57/62 flopped.
- • V12 power: S 600 = 523 hp / 612 lb-ft; S 650 = 621 hp / 738 lb-ft (6.0 biturbo M279).
- • Launch ~$189,350 (2016 S 600), rising to ~$198,700 for the 2018 S 650.
- • ~15,000 sold in year one, ~60,000 worldwide by 2019; China the dominant market.
- • Rear-seat first: ~43.5 degree reclining Nappa seats, 24-speaker 1,540 W Burmester 3D audio, fragrance/ionization.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
• Lewis Hamilton — owned a 2015 RHD Maybach S 600; listed it for sale May 2018 (~£104,990, ~27,500 mi) [Carscoops].
• Floyd Mayweather Jr. — added a 2016 Maybach S 600 (~$210k) in April 2015 [autoevolution; Hollywood Reporter].
• FLAG: Drake’s Maybach S-Class is the later Z223, NOT this generation — excluded here.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The V12 cars (S 600 2016–17, S 650 2018–20) are the true Maybach experience and the badge purist’s pick; the S 560 V8 (2018+) is the value daily but loses the V12 mystique. Check the air suspension (sag/leaks) and all rear-cabin electronics (seats, screens, fridge), and note the 2018–19 S 560 engine-oil-plug and steering-assist recalls. These shed ~40% in three years — a documented, low-mileage V12 is excellent value. Budget specialist V12 servicing.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Maybach Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222)
- Class
- Luxury Saloon
- Production years
- 2015–2020 (X222; S 600 from 2015, S 650 from 2018)
- Units built
- FLAG: not disclosed by Mercedes-Benz
- Variants
- S 600, S 650 (V12 TT), S 560 4MATIC (V8 TT), S 500/S 450 (market-specific)
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V12 Twin-Turbo
- Engine family
- M279
- Displacement
- 6.0 L (5,980 cc)
- Power
- 621 hp
- Torque
- 738 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 4.6 s
- Top speed
- 155 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 263 hp/tonne · 8.4 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 7-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC PLUS)
- Drivetrain
- RWD · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 5204 lb
Questions
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222) FAQ
What sets the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class apart from the standard S-Class?
The Maybach rides on a 7.9-inch (200 mm) longer wheelbase than the long-wheelbase S-Class, with the V12 powertrain reserved for the range-topping Maybach S 600/S 650, plus champagne-flute storage and bespoke rear-cabin trim and trim materials.
How much horsepower does the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 produce?
The range-topping S 650 uses the M279 6.0-liter biturbo V12 producing 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
When did Mercedes-Benz launch the Maybach sub-brand?
Mercedes-Benz relaunched Maybach as a sub-brand in 2014 with the X222 S-Class, going on sale in 2015, after the standalone Maybach 57/62 was discontinued in 2013.
How fast does the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 accelerate?
The S 650 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and is electronically limited to 155 mph, per Mercedes-Benz press specifications.
How can I source a used Mercedes-Maybach S 650 today?
The X222 generation ended production in 2020 and is now only available pre-owned. Specialty brokers source these through private owners and wholesale channels, often matching specific model-year and specification requests.
The Maybach Lineup
Explore every Maybach
Maybach 57 ’02Maybach 62 ’02Maybach Exelero ’05Maybach Landaulet ’08Maybach Zeppelin ’09
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (X222) ’15Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Cabriolet ’17
Mercedes-Maybach GLS ’20Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (Z223) ’21Mercedes-Maybach SL ’25
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