Used 2011 Maybach Landaulet Sedan Convertible Review & Ratings

While all Maybach sedans are extraordinary, the Landaulet is one-of-a-kind. This ultra-luxury auto is similar to the Maybach 62 S, except for a key feature: this exceptional vehicle has a retractable roof. Of course, with the roof retracted and the black soft top installed, the Landaulet is wind and weather proof, so passengers can enjoy pleasant weather while riding in unparalleled comfort. The V12, 620 horsepower biturbo engine offers a lot of power without the associated noise. The main differences between the 62 S and the Landaulet are the retractable roof and the partition between the front and rear seats; however, the Landaulet costs three times as much.

One of the most notable features of the 2011 Landaulet is its muscular engine which produces 738 pound-feet of torque, the reason why this 3 ton machine can reach 60 MPH in a mere 5.2 seconds. Additionally, this sedan includes Airmatic Dual Control (ADC) suspension and double wishbone front suspension, which contribute to a safer, smoother ride. At 20 feet long, however, the Landaulet has some trouble managing curves, especially at higher speeds. The massive weight and capacious engine mean very low fuel efficiency: 10 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway. This vehicle is better suited to ferrying its passengers to meetings or galas, not tearing down the Autobahn.

Although all Maybachs are eye-catching, traffic-stopping vehicles, the Landaulet stands out from the pack. After a sixty-year absence on the automotive market, Daimler purchased the Maybach brand about ten years ago, hoping to compete with Volkswagen (which owns Bentley) and BMW (which owns Rolls Royce) and has been manufacturing these remarkable ultra-luxury sedans for about ten years. Unfortunately, the deteriorating economy proved the death knell for this ultra-luxury line, so Daimler will stop producing Maybach as of 2013. The Maybach Landaulet is built on the Mercedes S-class chassis, and many critics fault Maybach for sharing too many genes with the Mercedes and yet costing an astronomical sum. The Landaulet is best suited to a small pool of buyers who want to add a chauffeur-driven car with a retractable roof to their collection.

The Maybach Landaulet includes a remarkable list of safety features, which should put the driver and the passengers at ease. In addition to the 4-wheel ABS with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC), this sedan features Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which provides greater traction and stability. To make parking this massive vehicle a little easier, the Landaulet has PARKTRONIC technology, which uses rearview camera, ultrasonic waves, and audible indicators. Finally, this Maybach includes multiple airbags: side airbags for front and rear passengers and side-curtain airbags.