Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Maybach Zeppelin Cabriolet DS8 8.0 V12 (200 Hp)
Overall Rating
Maybach Zeppelin:
The Maybach Zeppelin was the Maybach company's Repräsentationswagen model from 1928 to 1938. Named for the company's famous production of Zeppelin engines prior to and during World War I, it was an enormous luxury vehicle which weighed approximately 3,000 kg. This weight was so great that German drivers required an additional goods vehicle licence. Along with the Voisin, and behind the Daimler Double Six, this was Europe's joint second luxury V12 car in production....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Cabriolet Overview:
Maybach Zeppelin (Cabriolet). At around 3000 kg, it’s on the heavier side. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. The top speed reaches 160 km/h. A convertible car with a retractable roof, offering open-air driving experiences. With seating for 8, it’s perfect for larger families.
As a vehicle from the 1930s, the Maybach Zeppelin Cabriolet predates modern safety standards and testing protocols like Euro NCAP. It lacks contemporary safety features such as airbags, ABS, or crumple zones, offering only basic structural protection.
DS8 8.0 V12 (200 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
For its era, the 8.0 V12 engine delivered truly exceptional performance, offering smooth, effortless power and a top speed of 160 km/h, making it one of the fastest and most luxurious cars of the early 1930s.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy was not a priority for such a luxury vehicle; the 28 l/100 km consumption is extremely high by modern standards, reflecting the large displacement and carburettor technology of the time.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Iconic pre-war luxury and engineering masterpiece
- • Powerful and smooth 8.0 V12 engine for its time
- • Exceptional comfort and opulent interior
- • High historical significance and collector's value
- • Distinctive and grand design presence
Cons:
- • Extremely high fuel consumption (28 l/100 km)
- • Lacks any modern safety features
- • Very high maintenance costs and complexity
- • Challenging to drive by modern standards (e.g., drum brakes, manual steering)
- • Extremely rare and expensive to acquire
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Maybach |
| Model: | Zeppelin |
| Generation: | Cabriolet |
| Modification (Engine): | DS8 8.0 V12 (200 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1930 |
| End of production: | 1937 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Cabriolet |
| Seats: | 8 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 200 Hp @ 3000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 25.1 Hp/l |
| Engine displacement: | 7978 |
| Number of cylinders: | 12 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHV |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 92 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 100 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 6.3:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 28 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 160 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 15 kg/Hp, 66.7 Hp/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 3000 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 135 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 5520 mm mm |
| Width: | 1820 mm mm |
| Height: | 1900 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 3735 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1520 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1520 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 190 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 14 m |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Drum |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Steering type | Worm-reduction unit |
| Wheel rims size | Front wheel rims: 7J x 20 |
| Front suspension | Rigid axle suspension, Leaf spring |
| Rear suspension | Rigid axle suspension, Leaf spring |
Show off your Maybach Zeppelin knowledge – drop a review below!