Daimler's Maybach nameplate returns to the US in the form of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 that goes on sale this April priced from $189,350, plus a $925 destination and delivery fee (*). That represents a $31,450 premium over the S600 long wheelbase.

Mind you, it's not the most expensive model in the ever-expanding S-Class universe, as that distinction belongs to the S65 AMG priced at $222,000 for the sedan and $230,900 for the Coupe.

What you get over the S-Class LWB is an extensively redesigned and elongated body that's 200mm (7.9 in) longer at 5,453 mm (214.7 in) with a massive 3,365 mm (132.5 in) wheelbase. It also weighs 331 pounds (150kg) more and it eliminates every exposed plastic surface of the S-Class by dressing it in leather.

You also get all sorts of additional tech and comfort features such as the voice amplification system that uses microphones and speakers to aid communication between the rear passengers from the front.

The U.S. version of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 comes with the following standard equipment, among other features, of course: Driver Assistance Package (Intelligent Drive), MAGIC BODY CONTROL, Night View Assist PLUS, a Warmth and Comfort Package with a heated windshield, Head-Up Display, LED Intelligent Lighting System, Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System, Executive Rear Seat Package, Rear Seat Entertainment System and the Air Balance Package.

If that's not enough, Mercedes offers an extensive customization and personalization program for the Maybach S600.

Under the bonnet, you'll find the same 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 523hp (530PS) and 612 lb-ft (830Nm) as in the regular S600 driving the rear wheels through an automatic transmission. Acceleration to 62mph (100km/h) is completed in 5.0 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155mph (250km/h).

What you get over the S-Class LWB is an extensively redesigned and elongated body that's 200mm (7.9 in) longer at 5,453 mm (214.7 in) with a massive 3,365 mm (132.5 in) wheelbase. It also weighs 331 pounds (150kg) more and it eliminates every exposed plastic surface of the S-Class by dressing it in leather.

Hendrikse said of the increase in global sales to 1.74 million in 2014 from the previous year’s 1.56 million, Asian accounted for 100,000, Europe 50,000 and NAFTA 20,000.

“The CLA and GLA were responsible for half the growth, with a stellar jump also of 45,000 S Class sales to 117,000. For 2015, we forecast continued growth of a further 120,000 to 1.86 million, up seven percent, on continued growth from the GLA and from deliveries of the new C Class,” Hendrikse said.

Last year in the U.S. Mercedes sold 330,391 vehicles, up six percent, lagging BMW’s 10 percent better 339,738. In third place was Lexus with 311,389, up 14 percent.

Hendrikse said the biggest factor behind Mercedes performance last year was the success of the S class, with sales jumping from 72,000 to 117,000.

“We believe this 45,000 jump in S Class sales alone may have driven Mercedes revenues up by over 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion), or half our forecast revenue growth for Mercedes. Assuming at least an average gross margin of 30 percent, the impact on Mercedes EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) from S Class alone could easily top 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion),” he said.

This might be too good to be true to last until the end of 2015.

“Daimler (which owns Mercedes) continues to catch up on growth with peers. Less obvious is the absolute profitability of that growth. With consensus forecasting continued EBIT margin improvement at Mercedes, but without incremental S Class margins, and with all growth from lower (priced) models, we think EBIT margin improvement may slow sharply in 2015,” Hendrikse said.

Meanwhile both Mercedes and BMW are likely to be U.S. also-rans in 2015.

“Following the introduction of the new (Lexus) NX and the replacement of the RX, we see Lexus taking the number one spot in the U.S. premium car market by the end of this year,” said Evercore ISI in a report.

The absolute flagship of the S-Class range, the Pullman limousine, will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, according to a report from Reuters. The six-seater stretch limo will sit above the recently-unveiled Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, as it will be the longest model available based on the brand’s luxury platform.

It will be around 6.4 meters (21 feet) long, or about 200mm (7.8in) longer than the longest Maybach, the 62. This means the Pullman’s wheelbase will be a full meter longer than the standard version to accommodate an extra row of seats.

The new Mercedes-Benz Pullman’s second row of seats will be facing rearward, allowing passengers to have face-to-face conversations. No official details were offered, but in April last year a report said the armored version of the limousine could cost up to $1 million.

The Pullman may be built to customer specification by Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus and will most likely feature the V12 engine from the S 600. However, it’s not sure whether the Pullman will get an uprated version of the regular S 600’s 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine or will adopt the standard version producing 523hp (530PS) and 830 Nm (612 lb-ft) of torque.

As for the design, the S-Class Pullman will most likely look identical to the official trademark photos that surfaced on the web last year.