The 2017 Mercedes-Benz S 550 Maybach: A Luxury Sedan for the Modern Overachiever

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like an absolute boss while cruising around in a car that combines luxury, power, and technology to the point of ridiculousness—then the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S 550 Maybach is calling your name. This is a vehicle that doesn’t just get you from Point A to Point B—it sends you there in such comfort and style that you might wonder if you're actually in a 5-star hotel suite on wheels. It’s a car so packed with opulence that you'll feel bad for anyone driving a regular S-Class.

The Maybach badge is basically a free pass to the world of ultimate automotive excess. For those who think “standard” luxury is for the uninitiated, the S 550 Maybach takes everything the regular S-Class offers and cranks it up to an 11—while somehow making it look effortless. It's like buying a fancy suit, but realizing you’ve actually stumbled upon a tuxedo that could potentially make James Bond jealous.

Let’s dive into every outrageous detail of this car, shall we?

First Impressions: Looks So Good, You’ll Forget You Have a Wallet

As soon as you see the 2017 S 550 Maybach, you’ll have one of those “Is this real life?” moments. It’s long, it’s sleek, and it’s glorious. If the standard S-Class is an A-list actor, then the Maybach is the same actor but with a personal stylist, unlimited sushi, and a chauffeur. The Maybach has an extra 7.9 inches in the wheelbase compared to its sibling, making it longer, more imposing, and, honestly, kind of intimidating in a way that makes you want to buy a monocle just to look the part. This car looks like it’s ready to take over the world. Or at least the valet parking lot at a five-star hotel.

This sedan doesn’t just drive past your neighbors—it glides. The Maybach has an exterior that screams “I’ve made it,” and for good reason. Every curve, every line on this car seems to say, “Yes, I belong in the top tier of luxury sedans… and no, you can’t sit in the back unless you’re extremely important.”

Engine: A V8 with the Subtlety of a Freight Train

If you think this car is all show and no go, think again. Under the hood of the 2017 S 550 Maybach lies a 4.7-liter V8 biturbo engine that delivers 449 horsepower. Let’s break that down: 449 horsepower might not seem like enough to make a Ferrari sweat, but it’s more than enough to make you feel like you're being gently pushed forward by the hand of a very powerful, well-dressed chauffeur.

And let’s not forget about the torque—516 lb-ft of it. When you hit the gas pedal, the S 550 doesn’t just move—it lurches forward with the kind of smooth, powerful acceleration that makes you question how Mercedes packed so much muscle into something that feels like it’s gliding on clouds. In the world of luxury sedans, this V8 is like a velvet hammer. It’s not about roaring to attention; it’s about moving with purpose, but in a way that makes everyone around you wonder, "How did they do that?"

The 9-speed automatic transmission shifts so smoothly that you’d think the car was reading your mind. If you need to pass someone on the highway (not that you’d ever need to), the Maybach does so with such quiet authority that the other car probably doesn’t even know it’s been overtaken.

The Interior: Comfort So Luxurious, It Might Be Illegal

Ah yes, the interior. Step inside the 2017 S 550 Maybach, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a five-star spa with leather seats and wood that doesn’t look like it came from the clearance aisle. It’s all about luxury, and Mercedes-Benz went full throttle on the opulence here. Everything in this car feels carefully crafted to pamper you into oblivion.

The seats, for example, are wrapped in Nappa leather, which is softer than a pillow made from angel feathers. There are 16-way power adjustments for the front seats—so no matter your height, you’ll feel like you were born to sit here. If you’re in the back seats, brace yourself for full-on royal treatment. The rear seats not only recline, but they also have built-in massagers. That’s right, you can get a massage while cruising down the highway in a $150,000 luxury sedan. Life is too short to not be pampered, right?

The cabin also features hand-finished wood trim that looks like it was taken from an ancient tree that only grows in the land of ‘money can’t buy this.’ But it’s not just the looks that matter here—Mercedes has gone above and beyond in the tech department. The Maybach comes with a 12.3-inch display that’s clearer than your ex’s excuses, and a Burmester surround sound system that makes you feel like you’re sitting at a live concert. Even the ambient lighting has 64 colors, so you can choose from a kaleidoscope of options to match your mood. Feeling calm and collected? Go with soft whites. Want to feel like a rock star on your way to a private jet? Go with some fiery reds.

The Ride: Smoother Than a Netflix Queue

The ride in the S 550 Maybach isn’t just smooth—it’s like driving on the world’s finest velvet. Mercedes-Benz’s AIRMATIC air suspension ensures that the car feels like it’s floating over every bump, pothole, and poorly paved road. You might forget that you’re even driving, and that’s the point. It’s all about effortless luxury, where every road feels like a freshly laid carpet.

If you’ve driven a normal luxury car, you might think that’s what a “good ride” is. But the Maybach is so smooth, it might make you question everything you’ve ever known about road comfort. And the best part? It’s not just about floating down a straight highway. The car handles corners with surprising ease, giving you that feeling that you're controlling a giant, well-dressed yacht—but one that actually stays on the road. It’s an experience that can only be described as "effortless."

The Wheels: Rollin' in Style and Precision

Let’s face it: when you spend six figures on a car, you don’t want it rolling around on anything less than a set of wheels that would make a king’s crown jealous. The wheels on the Maybach aren’t just about aesthetics, though—although, if you’re into large, multi-spoke wheels that could double as a spaceship turbine, then you’re definitely going to appreciate the 20-inch forged wheels that come standard. These wheels are designed not only to look like they were plucked from a high-end luxury concept car but also to give you that perfect balance of sporty appeal and sophistication.

These wheels are made from forged aluminum, which is like the lightweight champion of the wheel world. They're tough enough to take on potholes like they’re minor inconveniences, but lightweight enough to ensure your ride remains smooth and effortless. So, you get a combination of style and substance—kind of like wearing a tuxedo while lifting weights. It’s the best of both worlds.

The design of the wheels themselves is gorgeous. They sport a multi-spoke layout that creates the kind of visual drama that gets you noticed. The spokes seem to stretch out in all directions, almost like they’re saying, “Hey, look at me!” without being too aggressive. If cars had personalities, the S 550 Maybach’s wheels would be the sophisticated, smooth-talker who enters the room and immediately owns it. In short, they’re stunning.

The Brakes: Stop Like a Superhero (But Classy)

Now, we can’t talk about wheels without mentioning what they’re paired with: the brakes. The 2017 S 550 Maybach doesn’t just roll around in style; it has the stopping power to match. When you’re driving a car this powerful, you need brakes that can stop you on a dime—because let’s face it, if you’re doing 60 mph in this thing, you want to make sure you can bring all that luxury to a smooth and quick stop without breaking a sweat.

The Maybach’s brake system is equipped with large, ventilated disc brakes on both the front and rear—perfect for keeping this heavyweight luxury sedan under control, no matter how fast you decide to take that exit ramp. With an advanced electronic brake-force distribution system and brake assist, you’ve got tech working overtime to ensure you're always in control. It’s the kind of stopping power that says, "I’m classy enough to know when to slow down, but I also know how to get things done quickly."

And yes, the braking performance is fantastic, even under high-speed conditions. You’re not going to feel like you’re driving a beached whale when you slam the brakes. Instead, you get a controlled, smooth deceleration. The Maybach has been designed with the intention of providing the kind of stop that’s as composed as the rest of the car. Think of it like your favorite ballroom dancer gracefully coming to a halt after a flawless performance.

If you’re worried about brake dust or the aesthetics of your wheels looking all grimy after a few hard stops, don’t be. The brakes are engineered to minimize brake dust buildup, which means those gorgeous 20-inch wheels will keep shining like new—even after you've slammed on the brakes because someone cut you off (not that you’d ever need to do that in a Maybach, of course).

Tech and Safety: Your Car Knows You Better Than Your Best Friend

Of course, this car is packed with tech so advanced, it might just have a PhD. The S 550 Maybach comes with all the modern luxuries you’d expect—adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, a 360-degree camera system, and more. It even offers a Night Vision Assist system, which lets you see pedestrians and animals in the dark. In case you’re ever out driving at night and feel the need to show off your car’s infrared capabilities (we’ve all been there), the Maybach has you covered.

And let’s not forget about the seats in the back. The Maybach isn’t just a car—it’s a limousine with a PhD in passenger pampering. If you’ve ever felt that the back seat of a car was a bit lacking, the Maybach rear seats will cure you of that. Full recline, heated and ventilated seats, and even a rear-seat entertainment system for those long drives when you just can’t be bothered to interact with the world.

Final Thoughts: The Car for the Ultimate Overachiever

In conclusion, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S 550 Maybach is not just a car; it’s a statement. It’s the vehicle for those who demand the best of everything—power, luxury, comfort, and technology—without ever having to ask for it. The S 550 Maybach gives you the feeling of being a VIP every single day, whether you're driving it yourself or being chauffeured around.

This is the car that makes everyone else on the road feel like they're just taking the scenic route. So, if you’re ready to step up your automotive game and enter a world where every drive feels like a red-carpet event, the Maybach is waiting. Just don’t be surprised if you start turning heads in every parking lot. After all, when you drive a car this good, the world is your runway.