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2008 Maybach Landaulet 6.0 V12 (621 Hp) – The Pinnacle of Open-Air Luxury

Introduction

The 2008 Maybach Landaulet 6.0 V12 is more than just a car—it’s an engineering marvel and an unparalleled statement of opulence. Designed for royalty, tycoons, and those who demand absolute comfort paired with maximum prestige, the Maybach Landaulet redefines the ultra-luxury chauffeur-driven experience. Built on the bones of the Maybach 62S, the Landaulet adds a majestic soft-top convertible rear section, making it one of the most iconic limousines in automotive history.

This article dives deep into the specifications, performance, design philosophy, technology, and historical significance of this majestic vehicle, delivering a comprehensive look at one of the most exclusive and expensive production cars of its time.

1. Overview of the Maybach Landaulet

Manufacturer: Maybach (a Daimler AG brand)
Model: Landaulet
Production Year: 2008
Engine: 6.0L V12 Bi-Turbo
Horsepower: 621 Hp (Maybach Type 12)
Torque: 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft)
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Transmission: 5-speed automatic (Tiptronic)
Top Speed: Electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph)
0–100 km/h: Approx. 5.2 seconds
Body Style: Extended luxury sedan with convertible rear roof (Landaulet style)
Price (MSRP): Over $1.4 million (USD) at launch

2. Design Language: A Symbol of Prestige

2.1 Exterior Design

The Maybach Landaulet is visually distinguished by its grandeur and sheer scale. With an overall length exceeding 6.2 meters (around 20.3 feet), it effortlessly dwarfs standard sedans. The most iconic element is its removable soft-top convertible roof over the rear passenger compartment—evoking designs from 1920s ceremonial limousines.

Color themes: Frequently offered in two-tone paint jobs (e.g., black and cream white)
Wheels: 20-inch Maybach-exclusive alloys
Grille: Prominent chrome vertical-bar grille symbolizing power and heritage
Roof mechanism: Electrically operated, reinforced soft top folds back silently at the touch of a button
Rear window: Clear partition with electrochromic tinting to ensure passenger privacy

2.2 Interior Design

If there’s a definition of "rolling palace," this is it. The Landaulet’s rear cabin is a masterclass in extravagance:

Material choices: Napa leather, granite inlays, exotic woods like piano black lacquer, and suede roof lining
Seating: Individual rear seats that recline up to 62 degrees, with memory function, massage, heating, and ventilation
Partitions: Electrically operated privacy glass between driver and rear passengers
Lighting: Ambient lighting and adjustable reading lamps
Details: Chrome accents, analog Maybach clock, foldable tables, cooled champagne compartment

3. Performance and Powertrain

3.1 The Heart of the Beast: 6.0L V12 Bi-Turbo

Under the hood lies a hand-assembled 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, derived from AMG technology. Despite being a luxury sedan, the Landaulet has performance figures comparable to sports cars of its era.

Power output: 621 horsepower at 4800–5100 rpm
Torque: 1000 Nm available from 2000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic gearbox developed to handle immense torque
Drive Mode Selector: Comfort and sport settings to alter suspension and drivetrain behavior

This level of performance allows the vehicle to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in approximately 5.2 seconds, an astonishing feat for a car weighing over 3 tons (with passengers and options).

3.2 Suspension and Ride Quality

Suspension Type: AirMATIC Dual Control (air suspension with adaptive damping)
Leveling System: Automatic level control adjusts based on road conditions and load
Drive Experience: Almost completely silent cabin, "magic carpet" ride quality
Braking: Ventilated disc brakes with advanced stability control and ABS

4. Luxury Features and Technology

4.1 Rear Cabin Amenities

Full entertainment system: Dual 19-inch screens with DVD, HDMI inputs, and wireless headphones
Bose Surround Sound System: Designed specifically for Maybach’s extended cabin acoustics
Champagne Fridge: Temperature-controlled compartment for two bottles
Humidor: Custom cigar humidor embedded into the rear console
Tray Tables: Electrically folding aviation-style tables with leather covering

4.2 Connectivity and Controls

Command center: Rear passengers control all cabin functions via dedicated interfaces
Voice control system: Available for media, climate, and lighting
Satellite Navigation: Advanced for its time, covering global maps
Telephone: Built-in GSM and satellite communication phones
Privacy curtains: Electrically operated side and rear window curtains

5. Historical Significance and Inspiration

5.1 Origin of the Landaulet Concept

The “Landaulet” body style has its roots in ceremonial cars used by heads of state and popes. The Maybach Landaulet draws direct inspiration from:

Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet (1960s)
Maybach Zeppelin (1930s)

These were symbols of ultimate prestige, and the 2008 Landaulet modernizes this tradition for the 21st-century billionaire.

5.2 Rarity and Production Numbers

Units Produced: Fewer than 30 units globally
Purpose: Showcase vehicle and ultimate expression of Maybach engineering
Collectors’ item: Frequently seen at auctions for $2–3 million

6. Comparisons and Competitors

At the time of its release, few vehicles could compete with the Maybach Landaulet in terms of outright luxury and uniqueness. However, some alternatives included:

Vehicle	Engine	Luxury Level	Approx. Price
Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB	6.75L V12 NA	High	$450,000
Bentley Arnage RL	6.75L V8 Twin Turbo	High	$350,000
Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman	5.5L V12	Medium-High	$500,000
Maybach 62S (Base model)	6.0L V12 Bi-Turbo	Very High	$450,000

The Landaulet stood apart not just due to pricing but because of its rear convertible roof, a feature no competitor dared to replicate at this level.

7. Reception and Market Reaction

7.1 Media Response

Automotive media universally acknowledged the Landaulet as:

“The most decadent sedan ever built” – Car and Driver
“Beyond excessive—in the best way” – Top Gear
“An automotive private jet on four wheels” – Autoblog

7.2 Celebrity and Royal Ownership

Reported owners and users include:

African heads of state
Middle Eastern royalty
American music moguls
Ultra-wealthy collectors in Monaco and Switzerland

8. Maintenance and Ownership Experience

8.1 Service Complexity

Owning a Maybach Landaulet is not like owning any regular luxury sedan. It’s akin to maintaining a private jet on wheels. Here are key points:

Specialized Service Centers: Only select Mercedes-Maybach certified workshops can handle repairs.
Hand-Built Components: Many parts are bespoke and not interchangeable with other Maybach or Mercedes models.
Diagnostics: Require proprietary diagnostic software and tools

8.2 Maintenance Costs

Annual Maintenance: Approx. $10,000–$25,000
Tire Replacement: Over $4,000 for premium Maybach-approved sets
Brake Servicing: ~$6,000 due to special rotors and calipers
Convertible Roof Maintenance: The soft-top mechanism is motorized and prone to expensive failures over time if not serviced regularly

Despite the cost, those who buy a Landaulet aren’t concerned with maintenance bills—they demand perfection and exclusivity.

9. Resale Value and Auction Trends

The Maybach Landaulet was produced in ultra-limited numbers, and its value has appreciated significantly since its release.

9.1 Original MSRP

Over $1.4 million USD, with custom orders pushing prices toward $2 million

9.2 Current Market Value (As of 2025)

Condition	Mileage	Estimated Auction Value
Excellent (Mint)	Under 10,000 km	$2.5 – $3.5 million
Good	10,000–30,000 km	$1.8 – $2.4 million
Used	30,000+ km	$1.2 – $1.7 million

Rare appearances at RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, and Barrett-Jackson auctions typically result in bidding wars due to the Landaulet’s legendary status.

10. Environmental Impact and Fuel Efficiency

10.1 Fuel Economy

Luxury and performance come at a cost:

City: ~8 mpg (29.4 L/100 km)
Highway: ~13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km)
Combined: ~10 mpg (23.5 L/100 km)

The car's 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 is tuned for torque and smoothness, not efficiency.

10.2 Emissions

CO2 Emissions: Over 500 g/km
Environmental Rating: Euro 4 (by 2008 standards)
Not compliant with modern Euro 6 regulations

This is a car made for indulgence, not environmental consciousness.

11. The Legacy of the Landaulet and Maybach’s Rebirth

11.1 A Swan Song of the Old Maybach

The 2008 Landaulet was not just a celebration of ultra-luxury; it was also the final major statement before the original Maybach brand was discontinued in 2012 due to poor global sales. Ironically, the Landaulet, despite being limited, generated immense media buzz that temporarily reignited interest in the brand.

11.2 Influence on Mercedes-Maybach Today

After Maybach’s integration into the Mercedes-Benz brand, the lessons from the Landaulet were used to shape newer models:

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600
Conceptual return of the Maybach Landaulet based on the G-Class in 2017

These models blend German engineering with the over-the-top luxury pioneered by the Landaulet.

11.3 Iconic Status in Popular Culture

Though not mass-produced, the Landaulet is revered in:

Rap videos (Jay-Z, Rick Ross)
Luxury showcases in Dubai, Geneva, and Shanghai
Video games and modded simulators (e.g., GTA V luxury car mods)

It became a status symbol not through mass exposure but through its rarity.

12. Final Verdict: The King of All Sedans

The 2008 Maybach Landaulet 6.0 V12 is not a car—it’s a rolling palace, an engineering triumph, and a declaration of unfiltered wealth. For those who desire more than a Rolls-Royce or Bentley, the Landaulet offers the one thing they can’t: open-air motoring for the back seat.

Pros

Ultimate rear-seat luxury
Hand-crafted perfection
Timeless, regal design
Insane power and torque
Limited production = investment-grade collector car

Cons

Eye-watering price and running costs
Very poor fuel economy
Difficult to service
Cannot be enjoyed fully without a chauffeur

Conclusion

The 2008 Maybach Landaulet remains one of the most outrageous, opulent, and unforgettable vehicles ever made. It’s not for daily driving, it’s not for speed demons—it’s for those who have everything and want to show it. If the standard Maybach 62S was a billionaire’s sedan, the Landaulet was the emperor’s chariot.

Engine type

12 CYLINDER V-Engine
What engine is the 12 cylinder V-engine: a V12 engine is a twelve-cylinder piston engine where two banks of six cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft.

What is the 12 cylinder V-engine displacement: it is in a range between 3500 cc and 7312 cc in recent model line up powertrain.

How much is the power of the 12 cylinder V-engine: the power of the 12 cylinder v-engine is in a range from 264 bhp to 860 bhp.

Which cars use 12 cylinder V-engine: few automotive manufacturer engineered and built V12 engines.

Ferrari V12 engine powered Testarossa with a DOHC head and 4942 cc displacement and then 456,512,F50,Enzo, all iconic latest models including 812 and Purosangue.

Jaguar V12 engine was an all-aluminium SOHC design with displacements of 5.3-6.0 L (323-366 cu in) that was produced from 1971 to 1997 in the E-Type, XJS and XJ.

BMW production of V12 engines began with the BMW M70 SOHC engine introduced in the 1987 E32 7 Series luxury sedan. It was upgraded to a DOHC V12 engine in 2003, then to a turbocharged DOHC V12 engine which has been in production from 2008 to the present in the 7 Series. BMW V12 engines have also been used in several Rolls-Royce models, beginning in 1998.

Mercedes-Benz first V12 engine was the M120 engine, a 6.0 L (366 cu in) DOHC engine introduced in the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 600 SE luxury sedan. It was replaced by a SOHC V12 engine in 1998 upgraded to turbocharged which has been in production for 2003 to the present. Mercedes-Benz V12 have also been used in several Maybach models, beginning with the Maybach 57-62 in 2002.

Aston Martin the 1999 DB7 V12 Vantage used the first V12 engine, a 5.9 L (362 cu in) DOHC design. Variations of this engine were used in the Vanquish, DB9, DBS V12, Rapide, Virage, and V12 Vantage. This engine was replaced by a turbocharged DOHC V12 engine, which was introduced in the DB11 and has been produced from 2016 to the present.

Audi the 2008-2012 Q7 SUV was powered by 6.0 V12 48v TDI engine, which was the first V12 diesel engine used in a production car.

Toyota V12 engine from 1997-2016 Toyota GZ engine, a 5.0 L (305 cu in) DOHC design which was used in the Toyota Century limousine.

In the United States, no mass-produced V12 engines have been built since the 1940s, with U.S. manufacturers preferring to use large displacement V8 engines instead.
In China, the 2009 Hongqi HQE limousine, powered by a 6.0 L (366 cu in) DOHC V12 engine, is the sole Chinese car to be produced with a V12 engine.

What is the 12 cylinder V-engine angle: V12 engine use a V angle of 60 degrees between the two banks of cylinders. Each bank of a V12 engine essentially functions as a straight-six engine with perfect primary and secondary engine balance and outstanding smoothness: at any given time, three of the cylinders in a V12 engine are in their power stroke, reducing gaps between power pulses.

Racing use of 12 cylinder V-engine: V12 engines are not the choice in last seasons but were often used in the past in Formula One. The first V12 engine used in Formula One was in the 1964 Honda RA271 and in 1966 season V12 engines was the choice with new V12 engines from Ferrari, Maserati, and Weslake. Ferrari's engine debuted in the Ferrari 312 racing car and was used up to the 1975 Ferrari 312B, after which Ferrari switched to a flat-twelve engine.
Few V12 engines were used in the following decades, with the exception of the Alfa Romeo V12 which was first used by the 1979 Brabham BT48 and then by Alfa Romeo until the 1982 Alfa Romeo 182. Latest power train equipment began in 1989, with the introduction of the Ferrari 640 racing car and Ferrari continued to use V12 engines until the 1995 with model 412 T2, the last Formula One using a V12 engine.
The most powerful naturally-aspirated V12 engine used in Formula One was the Tipo 043, used by Ferrari in 1994, which produced 850 hp (634 kW) @ 15,800 rpm.
In prototype sports car racing, Audi in 2006-2008 season used a used a diesel twin-turbo V12 engine and the same did Peugeot in 2007 with the 908 HDi FAP.

General information

Brand	Maybach
Model	Landaulet (Sedan)
Version	Landaulet
Engine version	6.0 V12 (621 Hp)
Year production start	2008
Year production end	2012
Vehicle type	Sedan
Horsepower RPM	621 Hp @ 4800-5100 rpm.
Acceleration 0 - 100 kmh sec	5.1 sec
Curb weight kg -lbs total	2855 kg 6294.2 lbs.
Doors	4
Top Speed	250 km/h 155.34 mph

Engine specs

Engine position and orientation	Front, Longitudinal
Cylinders	12
Position of cylinders	V-engine
Displacement (liters)	5980 cm3 364.92 cu. in.
Eng. horsepower RPM	621 Hp @ 4800-5100 rpm.
Horsepower per litre	103.8 Hp/l
Weight / horsepower kg/hp - hp/tons	4.6 kg/Hp 217.5 Hp/tonne
Weight / torque kg/Nm - Nm/tons	2.9 kg/Nm, 350.3 Nm/tonne 2.9 kg/Nm 350.3 Nm/tonne
Torque Nm RPM lb-ft RPM	1000 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm. 737.56 lb.-ft. @ 2000-4000 rpm.
Fuel delivery system	Direct injection
Fuel type	Petrol (Gasoline)
Engine aspiration	Twin-Turbo, Intercooler
Emission certification	Euro 5
Powertrain architecture	Internal Combustion engine
Engine location	Front, Longitudinal

Transmission and Drive system

Drive configuration	Rear wheel drive

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system	ABS (Anti-lock braking system)

Steering

Steering type	Steering rack and pinion

Wheels & Tyres

Wheels size	275/45 R20
Wheels rims	20

Passenger

Passengers seats	4
Trunk space min liter \| cu. Ft.	590 l 20.84 cu. ft.

Weights

Curb weight kg -lbs total	2855 kg 6294.2 lbs.
Gross weight kg -lbs total	3380 kg 7451.62 lbs.
Capacities kg - lbs	525 kg 1157.43 lbs.
Fuel tank liters \| gallons	110 l 29.06 US gal \| 24.2 UK gal

Fuel economy

Combined l/100 km - Mpg	15.8 l/100 km 14.89 US mpg
Autonomy km (combined use)	733

Maybach Landaulet 6.0 V12 (621 Hp) 2008 Specs