Once a standalone luxury carmaker, Maybach in recent years has become the top tier of luxury within Mercedes' sub brands. Don't be too ashamed if you aren't exactly familiar with Maybach's offerings. After all, these ultra-luxury cars are not only expensive, but a rare sight on the roads here as well.

Seven years after its previous models were released, Mercedes-Maybach has now refreshed its lineup with an all-new S-Class and the first Maybach SUV based upon the GLS.

Mercedes-Maybach hosted a media event where we got up close and experienced first-hand, the pinnacle of luxury, being chauffeured around in the rear of both cars.

Both the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and GLS, while sharing a similar silhouette with their conventional Mercedes-Benz counterparts, have been peppered with distinct Maybach-specific features.

Upon arrival at Raffles Hotel's lobby, we were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the Maybachs. 

The GLS was dressed in Maybach's iconic two-tone paintwork with hand-drawn pinstripes - this paintwork takes up to a week to be completed, meanwhile, the S-Class was wearing an understated yet classy shade of grey, both cars unmistakable, adorned with the Maybach emblem on their respective C-pillars.

Take a closer look and you'll notice all the finer details such as the Maybach exclusive front fascia with high-grade chrome front grille and wide air inlets on the front apron, the Maybach-specific chrome-plated tail pipe trim and wheels.

However, in our opinion, the true display of Maybach's sophisticated luxury really begins at the point you open the rear door to one; the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class even sports a pair of electrically opening and closing comfort doors at the rear, the door closes at the push of a button after you get seated within.

As you approach the rear door of the Maybach S-Class, you'll notice how it looks oddly substantial - no your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, they really are.

To maximise rear passenger comfort, the Maybach S-Class has an 180mm longer wheel base than its Mercedes counterpart, and all of these additional length have been dedicated to the rear cabin, resulting in that clearly stretched rear door.

Inside, you'll lounge comfortably on the electrically adjustable Executive seats with every adjustment that you'll need. With an empty front passenger seat, you can even go for the reclining position resulting in a continuous and comfortable surface for a pleasant sleeping position.

The rear seats also include various massage programmes, including a new calf massage function, and neck and shoulder heating as standard. Opt for the optional First-Class Rear compartment and you'll get temperature-controlled cup holders along with foldable tables not unlike what you'll find on an aircraft seat. There's even an optional refrigerated compartment in the rear armrest should you require easy access to chilled drinks on the go.

Meanwhile, the Maybach GLS offers a raised seating position with its SUV body type, though any concerns regarding ingress and egress has been cast away with yet another piece of exclusive Maybach feature - an electrically retractable and illuminated running board emblazoned with the Maybach emblem.

Inside, similarly lavish seats with a copious amount of adjustments and massage functions can be found.

Both the Maybach GLS and the S-Class offers an unmatched ride quality, with the E-Active Body Control and Airmatic suspension effectively predicting and soaking up bumps and uneven surfaces on the respective cars. Excellent noise insulation allows a ride experience akin to lounging within a quiet room, you'll never really need to raise your voice within the cabin.

While the Maybach GLS and S-Class are truly enjoyed from the rear seats, drivers will get to enjoy the performance of the 4.0-litre V8 engines producing 550bhp and 730Nm of torque, and 493bhp and 800Nm of torque respectively, along with a the whole suite of driving assistance features that you'll expect.

Having enjoyed the pampering ride of current-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class awhile back, it almost seems ludicrous that anyone could improve upon such excellence. However, the Maybach experience has once again broadened my perspective on luxury cars.