“Inflated S Class“ is what the Maybach had been ridiculed as, which didn´t keep the 5th-generation-S-Class (W221) from drawing the Maybach´s rear lights´ design so that it could have equally been seen as a “deflated Maybach“. The “Maybach“ name was consequently dumped as its own brand and used as the top-trim level in subsequent S-Class generations. It may be due to this mishap that this 5th-generation S-Class was long largely neglected in the 1:18 scale. While Norev has been working its way up through Mercedes-Benz history to the 4th S-Class generation W220, W222, and current generation W223 have been brilliantly translated into scale by Almost Real. Only AUTOart made the W221 some 20 years ago in its “Contemporary Series”, but at least the Mercedes Dealer Edition without carpet or opening rear doors hasn´t aged well.

Our Model of the Year Winner MotorHelix has cared to fill the gap with a top spec facelift version, built from 2009, featuring a long wheelbase (hence V221 and L-appendix) and V12 engine, the S 600 L, not yet bearing the Maybach-trim-demonination.

The black limo is nevertheless elegantly poised, featuring more chrome than the pre-facelift, e.g. with the grille´s horizontal double chrome-lines, square quadruple-exhaust-tips and the photo-etched V12 badges on the fenders betraying the V12 engine under he bonnet.

To open the bonnet, be advised NOT to pull up the front first, but to lift the bonnet at the windscreen and pull it forward, before you can lift the front end via the intricate hinge and reveal another MotorHelix masterpiece. Engines are where MotorHelix shine most, always adding a second engine in an extra display case and a red motor crane to suspend it from as a display alternative. The engine cover is not attached magnetically like on the Giulia, though, but has pins. This is one point that shows that this model predates MotorHelix´s development of the Giulia and improvements made since.

Twenty years on from the AUTOart, MotorHelix´s wheels duly have tire branding, valves, more detailed rims and brakes with drilled discs and branded calipers. Lights are very detailed too, particularly the taillights with their sharply separated different sections, colours and fine LED-replications don´t fail to impress. In the trunk whose lid lifts on fine doglegs, you find fine carpet and the rear of the refrigerating unit behind the rear-benches folded armrest. Don´t expect the armrest to fold down, though.

Yet the sand-coloured interior is beautiful to behold through the panoramic roof, offering a complete view before even opening the doors. Nice wood trim and silver buttons, air vents and handles lend a luxurious touch. Seatbelts are fabric with photoetched buckles. Despite the model being priced higher than Almost Real´s Mercs, the upholstery is not as convincing as on Almost Real S-Classes, their Bentleys or MotorHelix´s own Giulia.

The MotorHelix Mercedes S 600 L fills a high-end gap in any collectible S-Class pedigree and is very sought after. Yet the deflated Maybach comes at somewhat inflated prices that are hard to justify in direct comparison with Almost Real’s S-Classes or the award-winning Giulia by MotorHelix.