DAIMLER-BENZ has given the all-clear for production of its new super S-class luxury limousine. The first Mercedes-Benz Maybach, estimated to cost between £140,000 and £150,000, will not be seen on UK roads until at least 2002, when the car goes into general production.

It is to be built at the Daimler-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. Jurgen E Schrempp, chairman of the Daimler-Benz AG board of management, said: 'By deciding in favour of building the Mercedes-Benz Maybach, we are once again underlining our claim of representing the absolute creme-de-la-creme in all segments. The Maybach will be a masterwork of automotive technology, setting ultimate standards in luxury features and engineering.'

The new model is named after Wilhelm Maybach (1846-1929), one of Germany's best-known car designers.