The Ultimate Grand Tourer: Unveiling the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram

Since Mercedes revived the Maybach brand for the second time in 2014, we’ve seen the name applied to luxury sedans, SUVs, and EVs. But now, at Monterey Car Week, Maybach has introduced its first-ever two-seat convertible, the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram.

While not as impressive as the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet concept introduced earlier, the 680 still has distinct features despite being an obvious redesign of the SL. This is evident in the Maybach logo sprayed everywhere, including on the front air intake and the soft top, similar to how luxury non-automotive brands like Louis Vuitton imprint their name on their handbags.

The luxury and class of the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram are further emphasized by exterior details such as the windshield trim, lower air intakes in the front bumper, a unique Maybach grille (of course, with lights), and the Mercedes star on the car’s nose, which does not follow the color-rimmed and black-rimmed trends.

Similar to the exterior, the cabin of the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram also features exclusive design elements to set it apart from other SL models. While the layout of the dashboard and vertical touchscreen are the same, the media display and digital instrument cluster feature Maybach-specific animations and startup graphics. The steering wheel, seats, lower dashboard, and door panels are all trimmed in white Nappa leather, providing an extremely luxurious experience.

Unfortunately, in terms of powertrain, the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram is only equipped with the standard V8 4.0-liter engine from the SL63. The power is transmitted to all four wheels through Mercedes’ conventional 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

Mercedes did not specify exactly how much heavier the SL680 is compared to the SL63. But it must be significant, as the company stated that the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram takes 4.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h, while the SL63 with the same engine and output takes only 3.6 seconds, and the 470-hp SL55 takes 3.9 seconds. The top speed has also been reduced from 315 km/h on the SL63 to 260 km/h on the SL680, thanks to an electronic limiter.

To make the V8 engine in the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram feel as refined as a V12, Maybach engineers made some significant changes, including installing softer engine mounts, retuning the throttle pedal characteristics, and adding an “optimized noise” exhaust system.

The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram also offers improved sound insulation compared to the SL63, along with a softer suspension. In summary, it will provide a less exciting driving experience than other SL models, but these refinements will undoubtedly enhance its luxurious feel.

However, there is one detail about the SL680 that makes it sportier than any other SL currently on sale: it is a strict two-seater. Mercedes has returned to a 2+2 seating configuration for the SL680 Monogram, a setup that hasn’t been offered since the late 1980s. However, the designers have equipped the car with an aerodynamic cover that extends from the rear floor to the front seat headrests to conceal the rear seats.

The official price of the car has not been revealed, but considering that the SL63 is priced at $187,000, it is estimated that the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram will cost over $210,000. And the price will increase even further if customers opt for the SL 680 Monogram Series Red Ambience or SL 680 Monogram Series White Ambience.

The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram is scheduled to be delivered to Europe in the spring of 2025.

TT (Tuoitrethudo)

Reference: Carscoops