Since the revival of the Maybach brand by Mercedes-Benz for the second time in 2014, we’ve seen the name applied to luxury sedans, SUVs, and EVs. But this week, it debuted on a production convertible – the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram.
While not as impressive as the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet concept that preceded it in 2017, as overall, it looks much like a redressed Mercedes SL, it still has no shortage of the ultra-luxury touches befitting a Maybach.
First is the Maybach logo, which appears everywhere, including on the front intakes and the soft top, much like how non-automotive luxury brands like Louis Vuitton apply their name to their handbags – a very classy way of identification. And customers can even go further by plastering the Maybach crest all over the bonnet, which is split by a chrome-trimmed wind deflector.
Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Officially Unveiled: No V12 Engine Like S680
So that classic styling isn’t the only detail designed to convey the message of opulence in the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram. The window trim, lower intake in the front bumper, Maybach-specific grille (of course, with lighting), and the Mercedes star on the nose are all finished in chrome, eschewing the trend of black and body-color trim.
The interior takes a similar approach to help distinguish the Mercedes-Maybach SL from other SLs. While the basic dashboard architecture and vertical touchscreen are the same, the instrument cluster and media display feature Maybach-specific animations and graphics on startup, and the steering wheel, seats, lower dashboard, and door cards are all trimmed in crystal white Nappa leather.
While the 680 in the name of the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram raises hopes that Mercedes has somehow shoehorned the bi-turbo 6.0-liter V12 of the Mercedes-Maybach S680 ultra-luxury sedan under the hood, we regret to inform you that there’s only a V8 nestled between the strut towers. And it’s not even the 805-horsepower PHEV V8 from the SL63 SE Performance, but the regular 4.0-liter from the SL63.
However, its 577 horsepower is probably not far off the V12’s 603 when you consider that it should be lighter, although the V12 is torquier than the V8 with 900 Nm versus 800 Nm for the 63. Power is sent to all four wheels through Mercedes-Benz’s regular 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t say exactly how much heavier the SL680 is than the SL63. But it must be quite a bit, as the company says it takes 4.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h for the Maybach, while the SL63 with the same engine and output takes just 3.6 seconds, and the 470-horsepower SL55 takes 3.9 seconds. The top speed is also down from the SL63’s 315 km/h to 260 km/h through an electronic limiter.
To help the V8 feel as refined as a V12, Maybach’s engineers have made some significant changes, including fitting a softer engine mount, retuning the pedal characteristics, and adding an “optimized noise” exhaust system. The optimization in this case is quite the opposite of what we petrolheads expect from a sporty convertible.
The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram also has additional soundproofing compared to the SL63 and a softer suspension setup. In short, it will be wetter and less fun to drive than the other SLs, but these tweaks will indeed increase the sense of luxury. And besides, the AMG offerings will cater to you if you want an SL that focuses on performance and agility.
But there’s one feature of the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram that makes it sportier than any other SL on sale – it’s a strict two-seater. Mercedes has gone back to a 2+2 arrangement for the latest SL, a configuration not offered since the late 1980s, but the 680 has swapped out the tiny rear seats for an aerodynamic cover that extends the floor all the way to the front headrests.
Pricing hasn’t been revealed, but considering the SL63 already costs $187,000, the amount you’ll have to pay will surely exceed $210,000. And it will be even more if you opt for the launch edition SL680 Monogram Series Red Ambience or SL680 Monogram Series White Ambience, which combine Garnet Red or Opalite White Magno paint with Obsidian Metallic Black.
You can also add items like Maybach leather jackets and bags to your shopping cart if you really have money to burn. The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram will start deliveries in Europe in the spring of 2025, but other markets, including the United States, won’t get it until later in the year.
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