The development history of Maybach

Automobile Pioneer

On February 9, 1846, Wilhelm Maybach was born in Heilbronn, Germany. He

Left: Daimler Mr. Right: Mr. Maybach

Has four brothers and sisters, and later the family moved to Stuttgart (stuttgart). When William Maybach was 10 years old, his parents died one after another, leaving him an orphan. Fortunately, when Wilhelm Maybach was facing difficulties in life, a charity saw an adoption notice in the Stuttgarter Anzeiger newspaper and agreed to take care of him. During the school years of Reutlinger Bruderhaus and Gustav Werner, the founder and director of the school discovered William Maybach's technical talent and trained him well, which laid a solid foundation for William Maybach's future development.

In 1865 in the small town of Reutlingen, William Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler, known as the "originator of the automobile," met for the first time in the Bruderhaus workshop. Wilhelm Maybach, who was only 19 years old, quickly attracted the attention of Daimler with his extraordinary talent in drawing. The same interests and hobbies built a bridge of friendship between Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler, and the two became close friends.

In 1869, Wilhelm Maybach accepted Daimler's invitation and came to the gasmotorenfabrik deutz company as a technical draftsman. In 1872, Daimler entered the gasmotorenfabrik factory founded by Nicholas Otto as technical director. The research and development of four-stroke engines began at the Otto factory, and Maybach, who was only 27 years old, was also appointed director of the design room.

Gottlieb Daimler left gasmotorenfabrik deutz in 1882 and came to Bad Cannstatt (bad cannstatt) near Stuttgart due to the increasingly serious conflict with Otto himself over design concepts. He purchased a large property with a house and a small garden which he converted into his workshop. In October of this year, William Maybach also came here and began to research and develop lightweight high-speed internal combustion engines with Daimler. After careful and extensive research, Wilhelm Maybach invented the irregular heat pipe ignition system, which was an important part of the development of high-speed engines. But this invention has been patented by a British man named Watson. So they had to give up this achievement and instead make technical improvements to the original internal combustion engines on the market. Through their unremitting efforts, the engine speed was greatly improved. These invention patents laid a good foundation for subsequent commercialization.

Following the horizontal engine in 1883, a light and small engine with a vertically fixed cylinder called the "grandfather clock" came out. The prospects of this small, high-speed engine were widely recognized. Be optimistic. In 1885, this new engine was first applied to a bicycle, which was actually a precursor to motorcycles. In 1886, the engine was first installed on a four-wheeled carriage, becoming the famous "gasoline carriage." But Wilhelm Maybach was obviously not satisfied with using his invention only on a four-wheeled carriage. The first product he conceived was a steel wheel car. Wilhelm Maybach successfully installed a sliding pinion 4-speed on this car. Gear transmission, and the sliding gear system was officially introduced into automobile manufacturing. This "gear transmission car" appeared at the Paris World's Fair in 1889. The widespread praise from users is the best verification of this technology.

Maybach - the diamond in the crown

When Daimler, Duttenhofer and Lorenz founded the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft company in 1890, Maybach was appointed chief engineer , and developed the honeycomb radiator that year. This effective engine cooling system laid a solid foundation for the invention of modern automobiles. The French called him "roides constructeurs" (the king of inventions). However, in February 1891 he left the company because he could not accept the terms of the contract. For the next year and a half Wilhelm-Maybach continued to work on the design in his workshop, but with financial support from Daimler. In the fall of 1892, some of Wilhelm Maybach's important design inventions during this period were announced at the Hermann Hotel, including the nozzle carburetor, the Phoenix engine and improvements to the belt drive system. British industrialist Frederick Simons put pressure on DMG and finally William Maybach was re-appointed as the company's technical director in October 1895. After returning to his original position, Wilhelm Maybach achieved one technological achievement after another. For example, he invented the first four-cylinder automobile engine. Between 1898 and 1899, he invented the engine that could produce 6 to 23 horsepower. Five different engine models.

Maybach and Mercedes-Benz

Among all Wilhelm Maybach's design inventions, the most outstanding one is the first car invented after Daimler's death in 1900. A "Mercedes" car and caused quite a stir at "NiceWeek" in March 1901. The birth of this car is attributed both to Wilhelm Maybach and to Emil Jellinek.

The origin of the name "Mercedes" also has a small episode. Emil Jelinek was the Austrian consul in Nice, France at the time. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Daimler cars. He once drove a Phoenix sedan manufactured by Daimler in the Nice Automobile Competition in France in 1899. Win the championship. He named the car "Mercedes", after his youngest daughter. He believed that this beautiful name and his beautiful daughter brought him good luck in the competition, so he suggested that Daimler use this name as the trademark of the car. In order to thank this enthusiastic supporter, Daimler put this name on his cars, and the sales were indeed very good.

This car was something the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) company had never built before, and brought the world from the horse-drawn carriage era into the automobile age. At the same time, this historical design concept of "real" cars pointed out the future development direction of the automobile industry and opened the door to automobile industry design. Since then, streamlined silhouettes, high performance, honeycomb radiators, low hoods, long wheelbases, positioning plate shift mechanisms, oblique steering systems, front and rear wheels of almost the same size, and lightweight have all become Key factors in automotive engineering design.

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach 1865-1907

1865

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach and Wilhelm Maybach first met in the Bruderhaus workshop. Wilhelm Maybach, who was only 19 years old, quickly attracted the attention of Daimler with his extraordinary talent in drawing.

1868

Daimler joined the Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft factory and recruited Maybach six months later and appointed him as a technical draftsman.

1872

Daimler entered the Gasmotorenfabrik factory founded by Nicholas Otto as technical director. When Otto began to develop four-stroke engines, the 27-year-old Maybach was appointed Head of the design office.

1882

Due to intensifying conflicts with Otto over design concepts, Gottlieb Daimler left the Gasmotorenfabrik factory and bought a large and spacious building near Stuttgart. Property with a small house. One of the small gardens was converted into his workshop. Wilhelm Maybach also arrived later.

1883

Daimler and Maybach developed the heat pipe ignition mechanism in the workshop and worked on more improvements in internal combustion engines. These invention patents laid the foundation for later commercialization. Good foundation.

1884

The test engine reached 600rpm for the first time. This gasoline-powered vertically placed single-cylinder engine has also been experimentally installed on ships, fire boats and other on the device.

1885

The "Grandfather Clock" engine was used in bicycles, which was actually the forerunner of motorcycles.

1886

The engine was installed on a four-wheeled carriage for the first time, becoming the famous "gasoline carriage". Daimler and Maybach also realize the huge potential of electric transportation.

1887

Series production begins in Cannstatt, and a large number of engines and test vehicles are built.

1889

Daimler's "Spoke Wheel Car" met the public at the World Exhibition in Paris. This lightweight four-wheeled vehicle was equipped with a V2 engine and a stepped transmission. .

1890

DMG was established. Daimler serves as acting chairman of the supervisory board, and Maybach also joins the company's management.

1891

Maybach left DMG and was ordered by Daimler to establish a new laboratory at the Hermann Hotel.

1894

DMG faced bankruptcy and Daimler also left DMG.

1895

British engineer Frederick Richard Sims purchased the right to use the Phoenix engine patent for a high price of 350,000 marks, saving DMG from bankruptcy. And restored Daimler and Maybach to their original positions in DMG. By the end of the year, *** had produced 1,000 engines.

1897

Maybach further perfected the front-engine Phoenix sedan.

1900

Gottlieb Daimler died on March 6. Wilhelm Maybach made numerous improvements to his product, resulting in the first modern car we see in the history books with only 35 horsepower.

1901-1906

Wilhelm Maybach developed more different engines and chassis for Mercedes cars.

1902

A fire destroyed DMG's production workshop. New factory moved to Stuttgart.

1907

Maybach left DMG due to disputes with the company's management, and began to guide his son Karl Maybach to design the engine of the Zeppelin-style rigid airship.

1916

The Technical University of Stuttgart awarded Wilhelm Maybach an honorary doctorate.

1929

Wilhelm Maybach passed away in Stuttgart on December 29.

1996

William Maybach's name was entered into the Automobile Hall of Fame.

Although Mercedes-Benz achieved great success in the following years, Wilhelm Maybach apparently became a victim of internal competition for interests within the company. He was replaced as chief engineer and his work activities were restricted. So he left DMG angrily in 1907. When the Zeppelin LZ4 airship crashed in Echterdingen after a storm on August 5, 1908, Wilhelm Maybach agreed to build a new and improved airship engine for Graf Zeppelin.

Later, on March 23, 1909, he established the Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau-GmbHBissingen company. The technical director was his son, Karl Maybach, who was also one of the founders of Maybach. Carl Maybach was also involved in designing the new engine.

He left DMG angrily in 1907. When the Zeppelin LZ4 airship crashed in Echterdingen after a storm on August 5, 1908, Wilhelm Maybach agreed to build a new and improved airship engine for Graf Zeppelin. Later, on March 23, 1909, he established the Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau-GmbHBissingen company. The technical director was his son, Karl Maybach, who was also one of the founders of Maybach. Carl Maybach was also involved in designing the new engine.

Maybach W5[4]

After the Berlin Motor Show, the achievements of the new sedan greatly encouraged the Maybach team. At the end of 1926, Maybach launched the W5 sedan, which was equipped with a 6-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 6992 cc and a power of up to 120 horsepower. Later, an improved version of the car (W5SG) was equipped with a very advanced transmission with overdrive gear at the time. When Karl Maybach turned 45, William Maybach gave his son a birthday gift - a gold watch to express his recognition of his son's achievements. This watch was first given to Wilhelm Maybach by Emil Jelinek to encourage greater development in the automotive field.

Zeppelin ds7

Maybach W6[5]

And Karl Maybach did not live up to his father’s expectations. In order to always maintain the absolute advantage of his brand, he In the late 1920s, development of a 12-cylinder passenger car engine began. Relying on the multi-cylinder engine manufacturing experience accumulated in the aviation industry, Carl Maybach built the Maybach "Type 12" in 1929 with a 150-horsepower 7-liter V12 engine. This was the DS 7, the predecessor of the famous Maybach "Zeppelin" DS 8 in the mid-1930s, which used the same engine and dual overdrive transmission as the "Zeppelin". What is of special significance is that the "Zeppelin" car was a generous gift from Carl Maybach to his father. In 1929, William Maybach's health was deteriorating, but he still had a persistent dream in his heart - to create a powerful top-end luxury car.

Zeppelin ds8

DS8 Zeppelin[6]

In 1931, the "Zeppelin" ds 8 came out. Its length is about 5.5 meters. It uses an 8-liter engine with a power of 200 horsepower. As Maybach's flagship model, the "Zeppelin" car represented the pinnacle of luxury cars and was the most prestigious German car at the time: it conquered the world with its unparalleled elegance and power performance. Of course, owning a "Zeppelin" car requires a strong financial foundation. The car's price is as high as 36,000 German marks. In the early 1930s, this cost was enough to buy three detached houses. However, Karl Maybach was not satisfied with the status quo. He once said: "For those customers with extraordinary taste, when customizing their frames, suspensions, engines, transmissions, radiators, front apron and other components, the perfect Technical details are very important. Therefore, whether in body manufacturing, interior decoration or body painting, Maybach always insists on cooperating with only the best supporting factories and experts in this field to meet the needs of consumers and provide consumers with the best products. An excellent product that complements its own image.

Conquer the world

Owning a "Zeppelin" car requires a strong economic foundation, and the price of the car is as high as

DS8 Qi. Berlin[7]

36,000 German marks, which in the early 1930s was enough to buy three detached houses.

However, Karl Maybach was not satisfied with the status quo. He once said: "For those customers with extraordinary taste, when customizing their frames, suspensions, engines, transmissions, radiators, front apron and other components, the perfect Technical details are very important. "Therefore, whether in terms of body manufacturing, interior decoration and body painting, Maybach always insists on cooperating with only the best supporting factories and experts in this field to meet the needs of consumers and provide and consume. An excellent product that complements the user's own image.

Forced to stop production

In 1941, Maybach was forced to stop production due to war, and then entered a 60-year-old era

Maybach DS7

years of slumber. As of 1941, about 1,800 of this high-end sedan had been produced, and its body was carefully designed and equipped according to customer requirements. At that time, art-like Maybach products included stately luxury sedans, noble Pullman sedans, dynamic 2 to 7-seat sports cars, stylish convertibles, and sports convertible top sedans. The interior of each Maybach sedan is unique, including exquisite leather and fabric upholstery, selected woods and paints, and numerous exquisite accessories, which make every sedan with the "MM" logo look unique. Each is different.

Re-entering the horizon

After half a century of silence, this vicissitudes of luxury brand re-entered people's horizons at the end of 2002. Today, the Maybach brand has gone far beyond the meaning of top luxury cars and is sweeping the luxury car field with unparalleled momentum.

Professor Schmidt, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales of Mercedes-Benz Car Group, said: "The Maybach brand represents unparalleled quality, ingenious production technology, continuous breakthroughs in technological level, and excellence. The reappearance of this legendary brand in the market is bound to become a new model in the field of super luxury cars."

Some people define the revived Maybach as "Germany's Rolls-Royce". This statement makes sense but is not exact. Because Rolls-Royce, the pride of the British automotive industry, has been included in the German BMW Group and has become an "authentic" German product. Another ultra-luxury brand, Bentley, has also joined the German Volkswagen Group. In this context, the Daimler Group, which is unwilling to lose to its "old rival", launches Maybach at this time is obviously a strategic consideration. It will use Maybach as a sharp knife in the ultra-luxury car market, rather than letting BMW Exclusively own this market. In terms of the products themselves, Rolls-Royce and Maybach should be equally matched. Moreover, for this type of car, the appeal and influence of the brand will be far more important than the quality of the car itself.

Stop production again

German luxury car giant Daimler-Benz said on November 25, 2011 that due to poor market performance, the company's super luxury brand Maybach series The sedan will be completely discontinued in 2013. [8]

Zetsche, chairman and CEO of Daimler Group, said that given that the Maybach brand sedan has been losing money in the market, it is unwise to continue to develop its series of models. Facing the competition in the top luxury car market that will become more segmented in the future, Daimler Group will focus its future research and development attention entirely on the Mercedes-Benz brand. According to the plan, Mercedes-Benz will begin production of the more luxurious and expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon model in 2013. [9]

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