The Mercedes-Maybach S600 has the pinnacle of three-point star luxury appointments, a 523-horsepower twin-turbo V12, and, like all S-Classes, a long list of innovative safety features.
For instance, the elongated super-lux sedan comes with technology that keeps it steady in crosswinds, night vision, an Active Lane Keep Assist System, and airbags in the back seat belts to protect passengers riding in the Nappa-leather-lined rear quarters.
The Canadian firm makes the S600 CEN 1063 BR7-compliant in terms of ballistic protection, which means it can withstand multiple full-metal-jacket rounds from a rifle. Despite that, its bullet-resistant windows can be fully raised and lowered, and still provide useful transparency. Run-flat tires keep the armored S moving when the road gets rough (or bullet-y) and a smoke screen system can cloak the massive Maybach as it escapes whatever unsavory characters may be pursuing it. According to INKAS, “Other features fitted to the INKAS® Armored Mercedes-Maybach S600 include an independent air-conditioning system as well as a fire suppression system.”
Of course, those upgrades add weight. However, INKAS adds beefier suspension and braking hardware to handle it. Those changes also increase the Mercedes-Maybach S600’s price – from a base of $189,350 to $500,000.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
