The revival of the Maybach->ke52 name is happening under different circumstances than its last incarnation. According to Mercedes S-Class->ke359’ Development Director Dr. Hermann-Joseph Strop, the German automaker wants to turn Maybach into an entire range of sub-branded models, provided that the new 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a sales hit.

Strop stopped short of confirming those plans, telling Autocar that there are some qualifying conditions that need to be met before the company gives the green light to expand Maybach. It’s a different, if not more prudent approach than the last time Mercedes revived the luxury brand.

Back in 1997, the German automaker released two models, the Maybach 57->ke1854 and 62 sedans, but poor sales and impact caused by the 2008 financial crisis forced Mercedes to drop Maybach from its production plans in 2011.

This time, Mercedes->ke187 wants to test the waters and gauge the marketability of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class before making any decisions. If the luxury saloon is received well, there’s a good chance that Mercedes will expand Maybach as the luxury equivalent of AMG.

A separate report from Auto News also claims that Mercedes is already planning a Maybach version of the S500 And S400 4MATIC. But the company might not just stop there. According to Strop, supplying the Maybach brand to just one car wouldn’t make sense so if Mercedes decides to create a Maybach sub-brand, super luxury versions of the E-Class->ke373, the GLS-Class, and the S-Class Coupe are all possible.

Let that sink in for a moment. A Maybach version of the S-Class Coupe? Sounds very interesting.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Why it matters

It’s easy to be a little apprehensive about this plan because of Maybach’s history and the fact that Mercedes already has a lot of models in its name. The AMG sub-brand works because it deviates from the German automaker’s premium and luxurious reputation and creates edgy, high-performance versions that appeal to a completely different market than what Mercedes is accustomed to serving.

The problem with Maybach is that it covers the same “luxury” base as Mercedes, even if it takes a more extreme and opulent approach to its offerings. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class may have features the Mercedes S-Class doesn’t have, but at the end of the day, they’re still the same thing. How can Maybach differentiate itself from its Mercedes counterpart when the S-Class, on its own, is already regarded as one of the finest luxury cars in the market?

It also doesn’t make sense to expand the Maybach sub-brand on other Mercedes models. The S-Class Coupe is interesting because it's got a sporty potential as a two-door. But the E-Class? The GLS-Class? Nothing against those ranges, but if Mercedes pushes forward with that plan, they could indirectly cheapen the Maybach name altogether.

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class made its successful debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, marking the return of the Maybach brand for the first time since Mercedes buried it in 2011.

At first glance, the Maybach S-Class looks just like its Mercedes counterpart except for the fact that the former is a little longer than the long-wheelbase S-Class.

The big difference between the two models can be found in the interior where the Maybach S-Class is in a totally different world of luxury and opulence. From the soft bucket seats to the generous doses of space and refinement, the Maybach S-Class’ cabin is is in a completely different level.

Mercedes has plans to unveil the Maybach S-Class in two different versions, the S500 and the S600. The former will come with a 4.7-liter, twin-turbocharged, V-8 engine that pumps out 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to Mercedes’ new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, the first of its kind in the premium segment.

If the S500 isn’t luxurious enough for you, the Maybach S-Class S600 might be the ride for you. The S600 is powered by a massive 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V-12 that produces 530 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. Both the S500 and the S600 can spring from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds to go with a top speed of 155 mph.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class hasn’t been priced yet, but reports have surfaced that these bad-boys aren’t going for anything less than $250,000.