Limousine wars: Chrysler versus Maybach
CNET Car Tech compares the Maybach Landaulet Study and the Chrysler 300C Hollywood at the 2008 Detroit auto show.
At the 2008 Detroit auto show, we ran across two limousines, one by Maybach and one by Chrysler. The cars, the Chrysler 300C Hollywood and the Maybach Landaulet Study, featured some similar characteristics, which left us wondering if Chrysler walked off with some Maybach plans when it got sold off by Daimler. After looking at both cars, we started thinking about which one is better. To start off, Maybach is an extreme luxury brand owned by Daimler, while Chrysler isn't, so we give the first point to Maybach. The Chrysler is powered by a 2.7-liter V-6, while the Maybach has a 6-liter V-12. Although we question the need for that much power in a chauffeur-driven car, we give the second point to the Maybach just because it has more than double the engine of the 300C Hollywood. What really got us comparing these two cars was the fact that both have open roofs. Only, the Maybach has a retractable soft top over the back so well-heeled occupants can enjoy the sun, while the 300C Hollywood leaves the chauffeur uncovered. Only the nouveau riche would be so crass as to leave the help out in the rain, so the Maybach earns the third point. However, we also noticed that the back of the 300C Hollywood had three bottles of champagne nestled in the center console, more than the single bottle in back of the Maybach. We would have easily given the point to the 300C Hollywood, except that the single bottle in the Maybach was Veuve Clicquot, one of our favorites, so we call it even concerning champagne. We might give the 300C Hollywood a point for being cheaper than the Maybach, but both are concepts, so not priced. As we expected, our analysis gave the Maybach Landaulet study the win.
