Luxurious comfort

/ Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea

By Park Jin-hai

The luxury offered by Mercedes-Maybach S-class cannot be replicated.

This super luxury sedan is overwhelming at first glance, giving the impression that it is not just an extended version of the S-class.

Yet, apart from the stately beauty of the exterior, what makes it “genuine” luxury is inside with the executive lounge-style back seats.

As the saloon is designed largely as “chauffeur-driven,” I had the luxury of being seated in the back seat of a chauffer-driven Mercedes-Maybach S600 for an hour drive between the commercial district of Yeoksam and the small alley streets of Bukchon on a sunny Thursday morning.

Simply put, the drive gave the feeling of being served in a first-class suite, not traveling in a car.

Sitting in a large size nappa leathered executive seat with the seat massage function on was a comfortable experience that one wouldn’t get in a car normally.

The leg room seemed enough even for the tallest people to stretch their legs. But, when the front passenger seat was folded forward and my seat placed in an extended recline position, it was just perfect for relaxing.

All amenities inside the car, including Agarwood interior perfume, boasted a sensuous elegance, adding pleasure just to be inside.

As it was praised as the world’s quietest production saloon car, all throughout the one-hour drive the outside noise was almost inaudible.

I found the Mercedes-Maybach S600’s newest function, the Voice Amplification, very interesting.

The device, which amplifies speech depending on the amount of driving noise and continuously adjusts the speaker's volume, making it easier to communicate with the rear passengers from the front discreetly, was novel. While I was driving, the outside noise level was not so loud as to discern the function, but I think it would be useful, for instance, if I were off-road or on a highway.

The device with ambience lighting matched well with the modern surroundings as well.

Like an aircraft seat, the centre console has two tables which can be easily folded in or out using one hand, turning the cabin into a moving luxury office at once.

The back seat screens were large enough and the controls for media and seat positions were really easy. The resolution of the screens, however, was a small minus for the car.

I think with a price tag of less than 30 million above the S-class, this car definitely has a place for those who want even more exclusivity and luxury.