The distance from Mathura to Agra is a little under 50km. It isn’t a remarkable drive except for the McDonald’s opposite the gates of the Mathura refinery where most people stop to tank up their cars with fuel and themselves with combo meals. The recent Mercedes drive however resulted in a new meaning to the word ‘drive’ to yours truly, thanks to the car I was in. For once, I was not driving. I had no wish to either, for the car was a Maybach 62 and driving it is to get a chauffeur’s experience. I had just finished driving two C Class Mercs and an E200K. Now I was to have a go at the Maybach. What I wanted and did get was an experience most Indian dignitaries have never experienced, the reason being that there are only 4 Maybachs in India owned by the likes of gutka manufacturers and corporate bigwigs. I however prefer to say that for that seemingly short drive from Mathura to Agra, I lived life and experienced the same luxury and comfort as King Juan Carlos of Spain.

The Maybach 62 is the longer of two Maybachs available and costs a mere Rs 5.5 crores. No, that’s not a misprint — it does cost Rs 5.5crore and more depending on what features you specify in the car. What ‘my’ Maybach had was a profusion of luxurious features.

How about a DVD player, two colour monitors as well as a refrigerator compartment in the rear? Or even, the two-system AC for effective four-zone climate control? If there is an epitome of elegance, comfort, equipment and technology, the peak of automobile development, it is the Maybach 62.

One does not just swing the door open and get into the Maybach. One has the door opened for him or her and then stands shell-shocked for a bit gawking at the opulence and vastness of the interior.

How about these figures then, just to make owners of any other car on this planet go green with envy — the interior length, measured from the driver’s accelerator heel point to the rear seat back is 2682mm in the Maybach 62. The distance between seats (front hip point to rear hip point) is 1570mm and the distance between the front seats is 840mm, measured from seat-centre to seat-centre.

Once I finished gawking, (actually I never quite did) it was time to enter, as opposed to get into the behemoth. I was helped along by a quiet ‘Sir, we need to leave’ from Anthony. Anthony, a serious- looking, ‘give-me-the-Maybach-over-the-SLK-anyday’ type, bespectacled person, was the only person allowed to drive the Maybach. Behemoth is a word apt for the Maybach, which is 6165mm long, 1980mm broad and 1573mm wide. I still lingered for a bit though, as I tried to take in the interior. The (rear) AC was on my left and on my right, two enormous armchair-like seats — in leather of course! I sank into my seat, continuing to look around as I did and noting the console next to my shoulder — the top lid hid the DVD player, the centre lid housed the amplifier and bottom one stored CDs, DVDs etc.

I heard the sirens going on the police escort car but never felt the Maybach’s engine start. It was the hint of gentle motion that brought about the realisation that we were on the move. Looking up, I saw ahead of me three gauges, one each for indicating, speed, time of day, and temperature. Why on earth would you have that in the cabin, when you can see the instrument console, I wondered. I got my answer shortly as Anthony began to explain the various features. Between Anthony and me was a very thick half-wall, a partition. It was made of aluminium, wood and glass. Anthony pressed a button and suddenly, in front of me, an opaque glass rose up and curtains drew behind me making the cabin into a cosy private space.

Now the gauges make you aware of the speed the car is doing — believe me, at 80kph on NH2 in the Maybach, the road surface seems to be billiard table smooth. Its not so actually — I’ve driven down that stretch several times in various different cars. Want to see where you are going but still have the partition glass up? Anthony pressed another button and suddenly the glass turned from opaque to clear. It’s called electro-transparency and is all about liquid crystals. All this while, I was conversing with Anthony via the intercom and hearing him speak over the music system speakers.

The panoramic roof has the same capabilities — it becomes clear allowing a view of the stars. It was cloudy that night so I never saw any stars.

You know what the best thing about the Maybach is? I’ve never flown First Class but have often wondered about the slumber seats many airlines offer — the ones that become beds. The Maybach brought that First Class down to ground level — yes; the Maybach seats become beds too! So I promptly put mine into the pre-programmed recline mode and as the backrest slowly reclined to the rear, a thigh support and footrest were pivoted forward from the lower seat section. Seven electric motors are used to carry out the adjustments.

Was I in heaven or what? As we carried on, Anthony continued to explain the other functions but gave up when he realised I was almost asleep. Checking out the most luxurious car in the world can be a tiring job, you know! In the distance somewhere, I could hear the sirens blaring as the three escorting police cars led the Maybach through the crowded streets of Agra. I have a vague recollection of strangers perched on bikes coming close to the windows to take a look at who this ‘special dignitary’ was and taking pictures of the car. At the Mughal Sheraton, while drums were beating to announce my arrival, I descended from the car in as royally possible a manner as any photographer in dishevelled clothes, wielding a camera in one hand could.

In recollection, all I can say about my experience is ‘Wow’!