Sports Car Modification

The tradition-laden Maybach luxury brand is adding a fifth model to its line-up. The new Maybach Landaulet resurrects the legend of the classic luxury landaulets, a feature of which is that only the chauffeur’s area is closed. An extra-large folding roof opens up over the pampered rear-seat passengers when required, leaving no obstructions between them and the blue sky above. The Maybach Landaulet thus offers a majestic open-air experience currently unrivalled by any other automobile. Boasting a certain romantic quality and allowing its passengers the opportunity to savour closeness to nature, this exceptional vehicle also features the ultimate in comfort and technological sophistication and as such sets the new standard for the world’s most exclusive luxury saloons.

In November 2007, Maybach had revived the aura of the grand carriages of days gone by with its Landaulet study. The European premiere of this sparkling white one-off study is taking place at the 78th Geneva Motor Show. Even beforehand, however, the response from the public to this masterpiece has been overwhelming, so much so that Maybach decided to offer the hand-built Landaulet based exclusively on the customer’s own specifications.

The Maybach name epitomises high-end luxury motoring. It stands for effortlessly superior automotive engineering at the very highest level, timeless and stylish elegance, and precision craftsmanship. Since approximately two-thirds of Maybach customers wish to tailor their cars exactly to their own tastes and ideas, Maybach is constantly expanding its exclusive range of customisation options.
In technical terms the Maybach Landaulet is based on the Maybach 62 S - which can claim to be the world's most powerful series-produced chauffeured saloon. Maybach technicians have removed the rear roof module in order to afford passengers an unobstructed view of the sky above. The side walls have been invisibly reinforced with an integral tubular steel structure. As these measures have not altered the silhouette of the luxury saloon, the generously dimensioned doors and the complete interior with reclining seats remain unchanged.

Maybach has adapted the luxurious rear compartment to the requirements of open-top motoring. For instance, the rear head restraints are slightly larger than on the saloon and effectively help reduce wind turbulence.
Designed from the outset as a chauffeur-driven limousine, the Maybach Landaulet is equipped with a partition. The lower section of the partition consists of an aluminium sandwich structure. The upper section comprises an electro-transparent laminated glass panel that can be lowered by electric motor.

The Maybach Landaulet is powered by an uprated V12 engine which Maybach engineers have developed further for the Maybach 57 S and Maybach 62 S together with the specialists at Mercedes-AMG. Thanks to twin turbochargers and water intercooling, the V12 develops a maximum output of 450 kW/612 hp from a displacement of 5980 cubic centimetres. This is continuously available between 4800 and 5100 rpm, and the engine also delivers an impressive maximum torque of 1000 newton metres between 2000 and 4000 rpm.

Equipped with the AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) electronically controlled air suspension system and the Adaptive Damping System (ADS II), the Maybach Landaulet achieves an outstanding level of ride comfort whilst at the same time proving that even a prestigious automobile can display excellent agility and handling qualities.

The 2010 model year XF features all-new 5.0-liter direct-injection V8 engines. There are also significant trim and specification changes – including many new features unique to the new XFR – and the introduction of a new Portfolio derivative.
The enhanced exterior styling of the Jaguar XFR moves those sporting credentials on even further, to deliver the ultimate expression of Jaguar's new saloon car design language - carrying a number of visual design cues that are intrinsic to Jaguar's 'R' car philosophy. Its unique front-end design has a larger lower grille with new black-finished mesh, plus chrome outboard air intakes. The upper mesh grille retains XF's bright finish, while the bonnet carries distinctive louvres.The supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that powers the new XFR is Jaguar's new flagship engine, but it is only half of the petrol engine story - a naturally-aspirated version of the all-new engine brings additional advanced technologies and performance to other models in the XF range.
Power comes from an all-new 5.0-liter direct-injection supercharged V8 engine delivering 510bhp and 461lb-ft of torque. Immediately recognizable thanks to unique new 20-inch wheels, a new front end design with revised chrome air intakes, 'Supercharged' hood louvres, four polished exhaust tailpipes, an aerodynamically functional rear spoiler and side sills, the new XFR also sports discreet ‘R’ badging.
The attributes that marked out the XF at launch are still very much new and in the public eye. The four-door XF has the visual excitement of a coupe, but room inside for five adults to enjoy an interior wholly contemporary in style yet uniquely Jaguar.
Minimising internal friction is key to improving fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and as such was a key aim when it came to the design of the engines. As a result, the new Jaguar AJ-V8 Gen III engines achieve another best in class, setting a new industry benchmark for cranktrain efficiency.A sixth-generation, twin vortex system (TVS) supercharger is fitted to the Jaguar XFR's 510PS engine.
The all-new 5.0-litre AJ-V8 Gen III and the 3.0-litre diesel AJ-V6 D Gen III engines transmit power through an enhanced version of Jaguar's acclaimed ZF 6HP28 electronically controlled, six-speed transmission. Additional clutch plates and an uprated torque converter have been added for the supercharged V8 to facilitate the extra power.

And alongside these new engines, the naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine will continue to play a key role for the Jaguar XF and will be available starting January 2009. Customers will be able to order the latest naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 versions of the new Jaguar XF range from January 2009.The 510bhp supercharged V8 XFR will be available to order from February 2009.