Mercedes Maybach Agarwood Interior Fragrance

by: Elena Knezhevich

Тhis week-end we spent in Santa Barbara, where the presentation of the newest Mercedes S-Class automobiles—including the top of their range, Mercedes Maybach—took place. Our team was invited to test their new feature, the Air-Balance Package, while riding in the luxurious autos, one by one. Аn offer one can't refuse.

The Air-Balance Package and four interior perfumes were introduced last Summer (2014) in Berlin. Miguel Matos described them very well. Preparing for the event, we already knew what was waiting for us, but still there was something new we had to experience: a new interior perfume especially designed for the new Mercedes Maybach. Its name, Agarwood, which might seem quite straightforward, nevertheless raised our curiosity. 

From left to the right: Barbara Herman of Yesterday's Perfume and the author of Scent and Subversion, Sabine Engelhardt of Mercedes, Elena Knezhevich of Fragrantica

The author of the idea and Mercedes interior fragrances, Sabine Engelhardt, had to bevery convincing, as she explained, to have this nice feature added to the best Mercedes cars. But once she did, Mercedes engineers and designers hit the ground, working hard on the technical realization of it, and they made it as good as anything else on  the car. It's called simply "Air Refreshener" in the Menu, but it is much more than that.

Flacon with the Maybach scent (15 ml) inside the diffuser

The Air-Balance Package works independently of the ionization system and climate control. Its construction is simple but smart. It works in intervals of five minutes, evenly filling the car with the aroma. Our nose can't smell the scent permanently; it needs some rest or contrast to sense it again. That is why diffuser works in intervals, and we smell the scent in natural waves without being overwhelmed. From the Menu you can select three stages of its intensity, or disable the feature entirely. The flacon can easily be taken out and replaced with another. One full bottle will be enough for approximately one year of everyday driving (1500 hours). There is no alarm signal reminding you to change your interior fragrance, though, and I find it quite tasty. Your nose rules in this domain.

Important detail: the fragrance of your car does not stay on your clothes. It belongs to the car and will not interfere with your own personal fragrance.

The flacon is easy to install and remove

It was explained how the diffuser works on an external diffuser model. The one inside the car is the same. We enjoyed smelling the perfumes from the diffuser and listening to Sabine's explanations, but we also eagerly wished to experience the scent in the car while riding in it. It was a part of the experience—without the car it was just a nice scent from a diffuser.

It's me, experiencing the scent in a proper way.

Working on the perfumes, Sabine was thinking exclusively about the automobile without paying much attention to different markets and customers' tastes: when buying a Mercedes, they also buy a certain image which has to have a certain unique aura. The scent should match the automobile and enhance your experience of luxury while riding in this stylish car.

Feeling good ;о)

In the case of Mercedes Maybach, Sabine wanted to express and celebrate history of the car, i.e., to find the fragrance that would had have a story it could tell. After a few versions, Sabine and her perfumer, Marc Vom Ende, chose a rich woody, spicy and warm agarwood. Marc orchestrated the agarwood out of fruity (raspberry), floral (jasmine), spicy and woody notes. As a result, Mercedes Maybach has received a warm and smooth, luxurious and appealing aroma, which is also very cozy. Smelling the perfume in the room from the diffuser, I was affraid it would be too strong in the car, but Sabine was quite sure about her creation.

When I started the car, shortly we sensed its warm presence. It fit quite well with the leather and wood of the interior. It was on the lowest level of intensity, and after a pronounced wave we lost track of it for a while. The fragrance was muted and innoffensive and this lowest level would please people with a very sensitive nose or when they are in a non-fragrance mood. We found that the most comfortable level is second or medium. You smell the fragrance, it doesn't overwhelm you and it would surely contribute to a good mood. Your passengers who are not aware of your interior perfume, might be impressed by your automobile even more, unconsciously sensing the luxury dispersed in the air.

The flacon inside the diffuser is located in the glove compartment

The most difficul task for Sabine was to create a unique fragrance, with a story behind it, which still wouldn't bother the driver or passegers. The perfume had to please a wide audience. They could have bought perfumes from any producer, but Sabine insisted that all Mercedes things, especially new inventions, had to be developed inside the company with all the necessary attention and personal approach. Sabine put all her strength and soul into her project, just as Mercedes engineers do. 

Top: Jasmine, Raspberry
Heart: Ciste Labdanum, Incense, Sandalwood, Vanilla
Base: Musk, Patchouli, Vetiver, Benzoin, Tonka beans
 

Agarwood was chosen because of its reputation as the most luxurious scent and a long history of being used as an interior scent. The choice was quite obvious.

Sabine passionately speaks about her perfumes

Warm, spicy agarwood became the right addition, a perfect fragrant signature of Mercedes Maybach. It will be available for this car exclusively. I want to give you my impressions about Sabine's other creations as well. There are four perfumes designed for the Mercedes S-Class: Freeside Mood, Nightlife Mood, Sports Mood and Downtown Mood. When you order the Air-Balance Package, the Freeside Mood comes with it by default. You receive complimentary samples of the other three perfumes which you can order additionally.

Freeside Mood
Citrusy fresh, clean and airy. We were enjoying it on our way to the event. At the beginning we were not aware that our fragrance test had already started. We enjoyed the ride, the car and felt good and relaxed. The clean and joyful citrus fragrance was already making a special climate inside. After our discovery we turned it up higher and shared our guesses of its composition: it was citrusy, sometimes floral, dewy green. Citruses are unbeatable in their uplifting aromatherapy, they make you feel younger. Besides that, they are a good addition to a leather scent.

Sports Mood
A two-door coupe was our first car to ride, so I was longing to smell this perfume. Strangely it happened to be a scent based on linden blossom. Its main floral accord was supported by a deep green nettle note, as well as watery and citrusy nuances. Sabine was inspired by an aromatic signature of Berlin—the season of linden trees in bloom. Although an unexpected fragrance for a sports mood, it is very romantic, and in this connotation defends Sabine's point of view.

Nightlife Mood
This fragrance is the darkest among the four. It's based on amber, woods and spices, and would please people who like a scent to be present around them. Sabine's personal choice.

Downtown Mood
This is my favorite interior perfume of all Mercedes fragrances. I guessed the inspiration immediately while its warm and complex aroma was spreading from the machine. It was New York! Sabine discribed it as very lively: it is New York before dark, when the sky is deep blue and lights start to warm the grey silhouettes of buildings; people hurry in all directions, but now they are relaxed, the work is done, a family dinner or night out with friends is ahead. You feel a good energy and the warmth of the big city and its people. You can sense a whiff of roasted vanilla nuts (New York's signature), and a cozy chaos of smells of a different nature.

Barbara Herman, Sabine Engelhardt and Elena Knezhevich

The next day the Mercedes Team went on to the Car Show in Detroit. If you happen to be there we advise you to test this nice feature yourself. 

Source: Mercedes Press event in Santa Barbara, pictures from the event by Fragrantica

Official pictures of Mercedes Maybach S Class: