The Z223 generation 2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class made its world premiere last week at the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show.

Based on the V223 generation S-Class, Mercedes-Benz’s latest flagship sedan benefits from a 18 cm longer wheelbase, itself already 11 cm longer than the standard wheelbase W223 S-Class.

As before, the rear doors are unique to the Maybach, necessitated by its longer wheelbase. For the first time ever for a Maybach, the rear doors close automatically, and we are not talking about soft closing function.

When equipped with the Comfort Rear Doors option, the hand gesture and voice-operated MBUX infotainment’s function extend is able to close the doors, even on a gradient, with just a simple wave of the hand near the door. The rear doors can also be closed from the driver’s seat.

The rear seat belt extender also works in the same gesture-operated manner. A simple act of reaching for the rear seat belt will automatically activate the rear seat belt extender.

Likewise for the ambient lights in the rear, which are also gesture operated.

Other notable features from the S-Class are also available, including Airmatic air suspension with adaptive ADS+ dampers, 4-wheel steering, frontal airbags for rear passengers, the latest semi-autonomous driving Drive Pilot, and Digital Light technology LED headlamps that projects warning symbols onto the road.

A two-tone colour, which takes one-week to complete for each car, is also available as an option.

Engine options are similar to what’s offered in the S-Class, meaning a 3-litre inline 6-cylinder M256 and a diesel OM656 of the same capacity and cylinder count. A plug-in hybrid and a V8 will be announced later next year.