When status counts for everything, it’s always been hard to go past the Mercedes-Maybach badge.

The arrival of a new flagship, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680, provides a fresh opportunity to evaluate whether the storied Maybach marque retains all the power, poise and presence of its forebears.

One way to test the theory is to park the S 680 – the largest, longest and most expensive production model in the current Mercedes-Benz Group family – on a hotel forecourt and throw open its big doors.

The rare opportunity to see inside a bastion of such tremendous luxury proves irresistible. A crowd gathers, drawn initially to the gleaming chrome grille, and then the sheer decadence of the sprawling interior clad in creamy Nappa leather and open-pore walnut trim set with striking vertical aluminium pinstripes. Poise? Check. Presence? In spades.

The last ever V12?

Many in the crowd also spot a badge affixed to the front quarter panel of the S 680. Unassuming in proportion, it nevertheless makes a huge statement about this vehicle: V12. Never a common engine configuration, to be sure, and now all-but extinct.

“Is it the last one we’ll ever see?” a self-confessed Mercedes-Benz fan wants to know. Not officially, is the company line. But you don’t have to be a fortune teller to see which direction Mercedes-Benz is headed with its powertrain development. Already a very special car for so many reasons, this Mercedes-Maybach may well also be remembered as the last of its type.

The very next question, of course, is what it’s like to drive? On that note, it’s time to shoo away the curious, and get this rolling hotel suite of a saloon onto the road to find out.

Easing away from the kerb into light traffic, the first thing to stand out about the stunning 12-cylinder shoehorned under the long bonnet is how fabulously civilised it is. It feels about as far from the rumble and fury of a V8 as you could possibly get, despite toting half as many cylinders again. In any gear, momentum stealthily builds on a fat, inexorable band of torque.

It later occurs to me that the only other powerplant I’ve experienced to resemble the quiet effortlessness of this goliath of the internal combustion breed is one that is its polar opposite in almost every conceivable respect: the fully electric drivetrain. Perhaps it’s ironic, or maybe highly prophetic, that the former is inevitably to be supplanted by the latter.

‘Tread softly, carry a big stick’

None of this is to suggest this beast of an engine is past its best. Should you (or the chauffeur) ever be tempted to sink a hand-made Italian leather loafer to the thickly carpeted floor and unleash the full force of its 463 kW and 900 Nm, the S 680 surges forward with a huge dose of enthusiasm.

To own this S 680 is the automotive equivalent of Theodore Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy declaration: Tread softly, carry a big stick. And when it comes to status, even in these rapidly changing times, the purchaser of this vehicle still wants to be seen to carry the biggest stick of them all. It doesn’t matter if you never actually use all that power; it’s the mere fact that you can.

The next unique thing you might notice about the driving experience becomes evident when you turn a corner. Fitted as standard with four-wheel steering that allows the rear wheels to add steering input up to 10 degrees, the S 680 corners with agility that belies its behemoth footprint.

It’s initially disconcerting to feel the back of the car participate in cornering of its own volition, rather than being dragged along for the ride, but you quickly come to love the sense of effortlessness. Even more so when it’s time to park. The same feature is able to counter-steer the rear wheels at low speeds, lending the stretched chassis the manoeuvrability of a much smaller vehicle.

The ‘Maybach Mode’ magic carpet ride

Such an opulent rig as this must offer unblemished ride comfort for all occupants, including those important passengers who ride in the rear seat, rather than behind the wheel.

Once again, Mercedes-Maybach outdoes itself. With air-sprung suspension underpinning the default Comfort mode, all-round compliance is superb. But as you might expect, there’s more. Toggling to ‘Maybach Mode’ further pronounces the comfort characteristics specifically for passengers in the rear seats, while also dulling accelerator and transmission responsiveness that might disrupt the general serenity. The outcome for those fortunate enough to be ensconced in the plush second row is akin to a magic carpet ride that even Aladdin would envy.

Thus insulated from road and mechanical noise, and isolated from the world at large, a sanctuary of serenity has been achieved that’s fit for captains of industry and the highest of high rollers.

The chauffeur has never had it so easy

Appropriately, there’s an option to go first class all the way by installing a pair of electronically reclining armchairs with extendable footrests, finished in supple Nappa leather. A dual-bin centre console between the seats (in optional gleaming piano black trim in our test car) theatrically glides open at the touch of a button.

Giant screens set in the back of each front seat afford the occupant the ability to take full control of the entire infotainment and navigation system. Another button sees the front passenger seat glide fully forward, enabling the rear seat to be reclined and a footrest electronically deployed. Yet another button high on the door frame triggers the big rear door to ease open of its own accord, or gently pull itself closed again. The chauffeur has never had it so easy.

You can also specify a refrigerated compartment between the seats to keep the bubbly chilled, along with champagne flutes that fit precisely into custom-made holders – but you probably already guessed that.

A decadent audio experience

Perhaps the pièce de résistance of this truly exceptional experience is the 1750-watt Burmester 4D surround sound system that’s fitted as standard. With 31 speakers studded around the cabin – some heroed as stunning visual features, others completely invisible – this is the very definition of ‘surround’ audio. It’s heightened by so-called exciters that are built into every seat to add another entire dimension in enjoyment.

Remember standing next to a speaker stack at a rock concert and not just hearing the music, but also simultaneously feeling it resonating through your core? This Burmester system enmeshes that deeply visceral connection with astonishing sound reproduction, underpinned by the S 680’s salubrious serenity. The combination must surely be one of the most decadent audio experiences that money can buy.

How much money? Another common question that arose from our open house session back at the hotel. You know what they say: ‘if you have to ask …’. But for the eternally curious, the feature-loaded Mercedes-Maybach S 680 in standard (read: exceptional) configuration comes in at $574,000, before on-road costs are applied. The rear seat armchairs that the vast majority of customers are expected to specify add an entirely reasonable $15,600, and that refrigerated compartment for the Bolly or Mumm (not included, sadly) is $9,100. Along with $3,400 for the designo black piano lacquer trim, the car which wowed our test audience comes in at a cool $602,100.

Too much for most, sure, but for the type of buyer who really wants to carry the biggest stick of them all, it’s money well spent.

Discover more highlights of the Mercedes-Maybach S 680.

By Steve Colquhoun