Maybach S

Segment
Sedan

If the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class isn't exclusive enough for your needs, Mercedes has obliged by developing a new generation of the Maybach. Once again, it will face off against Rolls-Royce and Bentley rivals as the creme de la creme of luxury sedans. Yesterday, the first images of the V12-powered Maybach were unveiled and it didn't disappoint with its two-tone paintwork and generous chrome detailing.

But how fast will it be? We now have some details regarding its performance specifications thanks to an updated Maybach configurator from Mercedes in Russia. However, the V12 model appears to have been removed from the website but not before its secrets were shared.

Called the S680 in Russia and in some other markets, this king of the Maybach range packs a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine that makes 604 horsepower. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it will be able to reach 62 mph in 4.5 seconds before going on to a top speed of 155 mph.

Interestingly, last year's Maybach S650 was a bit more powerful but slower (0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds), but it was rear-wheel drive whereas the new S680 listed on the Mercedes Russia website directs its power to all four corners. The new S680 weighs in at 5,180 pounds, making it slightly lighter than last year's S650 despite the use of AWD.

As expected, the new V12-powered Maybach is prohibitively expensive. In Russia, it works out to the equivalent of over $370,000. While that's still some way off what the Rolls-Royce Phantom costs, it's comfortably more than the Ghost as well as the latest Bentley Flying Spur. It remains to be seen if the S680 badge will be adopted in North America as well.

As you can see from the pictures, the latest Maybach has an exquisite interior that shares a massive new central display and much of its design with the S-Class, although the detailing and trim in the Maybach are even swankier. It shouldn't be too long before Mercedes confirms the specs of the US-bound model. The S580 4Matic is due to arrive at US dealers midway through this year.