Currently reading: Ultra-luxurious Mercedes SL is Maybach's first sports car

Ultra-luxury brand turns AMG V8-engined two-seat drop-top into the "sportiest model in its history"

Maybach has turned its hand to the Mercedes-AMG SL, creating an ultra-luxurious sports convertible to rival the Bentley Continental GTC and Ferrari Roma Spider.

Revealed at Monterey Car Week in California, the new Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series is "the sportiest model in the Maybach brand's history".

Mercedes' ultra-luxury arm has previously been best known for its exclusive reworkings of the S-Class limousine and GLS SUV. 

The first Maybach EV, based on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, was revealed last year.

Its latest model is the reborn brand's first convertible, although it did produce a landaulet version of the S-Class-based 62 S in limited numbers in 2008.

It's marked out from the standard SL by one of two unique two-tone liveries – black over red or white – but can be painted in other colours "upon specific customer request".

In keeping with Maybach tradition, the grille is swapped for a distinctive chrome item (now with illuminated slats) and there's a chrome fin running the length of the bonnet.

That can be optionally decorated with the 'Maybach pattern', applied by hand in contrasting grey paint.

Meanwhile, the headlights receive rose-gold detailing, the windscreen surround is finished in chrome, there are chrome details on the side sills and there's a bespoke front splitter that "emphasises the vehicle's width".

The 21in wheels can be had with a choice of two bespoke designs: a five-hole 'monoblock' one or an intricate multi-spoke one.

The interior is finished in crystal-white nappa leather and decorated with chrome trim elements, while the seats are trimmed with a bespoke floral pattern.

The touchscreen infotainment system meanwhile has been reprogrammed with Maybach-specific graphics and animations.

Power comes from the same 577bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that's available in the standard SL. However, the accelerator is remapped to give the "supremely dynamic driving pleasure expected of a Maybach".

Refinement is boosted by a "noise-optimised" custom exhaust and an "extensive insulation and absorption package".

Mercedes hasn't yet given any indication of pricing or availability, but the Maybach versions of the S-Class and EQS SUV are each priced from just north of £200,000, commanding a significant premium over their Benz- and AMG-badged counterparts.

With the current range-topping SL already costing nearly £200,000, the Maybach version is set to take the brand into even more rarefied air.

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The unveiling of the Maybach SL comes just a few months after AMG revealed the SL-based Purespeed concept, a Formula 1-inspired speedster that previews a new line of ultra-exclusive 'Mythos' special editions.

Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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harf 18 August 2024

This is, I'm afraid, what happens when the car companies take way too much notice of the blingtastic influencer that is Supercar Blondie. Oh dear!

(Tho the number of logos splattered across it did make me laugh, quite a lot). 

Boris9119 18 August 2024

When Ford was struggling to shift Escorts back in the day, they would do just this, put some different wheels on them, lots of special edition badges and stickers, different paint colour and a bit of interior trim and tell the mugs tempted to buy one to hurry up as supply was 'limited'. Some things never change!

jason_recliner 17 August 2024
Eh. Haters gonna hate. The only thing I dislike is the price. I love it!