Mercedes-Maybach SL680 launched at Pebble Beach

Talk about right place, right time. Right everything, in fact. There could hardly be a more fitting new car to make its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours (another event that makes up Monterey Car Week) than a Maybach SL. Or a Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series, to give the new car its full name. Think about it: sunny California, colossal wealth, a Mercedes badge, a V8 convertible, sustainably tanned crystal white nappa leather… It’s all too perfect. A reveal in a European conference centre just wouldn’t have been right.

“Our customers love something special,” said Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach. “The Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series adds a sporty two-seater to our model family for the ultimate open-air pleasure. It combines a dynamic driving experience with everything that characterises a Mercedes-Maybach: excellent craftsmanship, exquisite design details and fine materials.” Certainly the SL in its current, quite focused form, will feel a million miles away from anything else that’s ever carried the Maybach badge. This is about as far from a GLS as it’s possible to imagine a Mercedes.

Power comes from the familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, here in 585hp form that we know from the 63 AMG. Performance for the Maybach is comparable to the standard SL, with 4.1 seconds to 62mph and 155mph claimed. Indeed mechanically it’s very similar (no bad thing), with the nine-speed auto, rear-wheel steer and fully variable 4Matic as standard in the Monogram Series. That being said, a ‘typically Maybach driving experience’ is promised thanks to the more sound insulation, a comfier suspension setup and even the addition of softer engine mounts. A ‘noise optimised exhaust system’ won’t be the normal kind of sound optimisation, you’d wager. Given the current SL has always felt more like an AMG GT drop-top than a laid-back Mercedes cruiser, it’ll be interesting to see what effect the Maybach changes have. 

More visibly, it’ll be the ‘uniquely cohesive combination of colours and materials for the exterior and interior’ that distinguishes this car from the rest of the SLs. The Monogram Series will be launched in either White Ambience or Red Ambience specification; both are two-tone, because old habits die hard at Maybach, with obsidian black over either garnet red or opalite white magno. Mercedes says that the ‘exceptionally brilliant red and the elegant white both embody sensuality, beauty and lightness.’ In case the colourways didn’t mark it out, all Maybach SLs will be recognisable thanks to a chrome fin running the length of the car, an upright star on the bonnet like it’s the good old days, more chrome on the grille, Maybach lettering and rose gold accents in the headlights. Of course. The Monogram Series is probably exactly how you might expect a Maybach SL to be. There’s more chrome around the sill, more Maybach logos in the roof and lights, plus a choice of 21-inch wheel designs. 

The interior is appropriately decadent, too, decked out with sustainably tanned, crystal white nappa leather in both specs for an ‘exceptionally exquisite ambience’. For when plain old exquisite just won’t do. There’s a floral design to the seats, Maybach badges, Maybach animations and even more chrome alongside. It really is Monterey Car Week on four wheels. There is even a range of accessories from Maybach Icons of Luxury to go with the SL, presumably just for owners of the car but potentially available for those who just love the lifestyle as well. They include a leather jacket, trainers, a tote bag, a scarf and – no word of a lie – a dog bag. Apparently, the materials of the car have inspired the accessories as well. Crystal white nappa leather probably works better for the trainers than the dog bag. 

Surprisingly, Mercedes says that the Maybach SL680 Monogram Series will arrive in Europe first ahead of other markets. That’ll be in spring 2025, it says, which leaves enough time for these to reach California customers for next year’s Car Week. Finally, for those with more traditional Maybach tastes (and rather smaller budgets), check this out: a 57 saloon from 2003 in Dark Cote d’Azur Blue, fresh from a light resto at a brand specialist, for the price of a new Golf R. Just the ticket.