Mercedes-Maybach SL is a super-luxury V8 drop-top
August 17, 2024 by Tom Wiltshire
Car changing is a big deal
Maybach’s first sports car is based on the SL and comes in two eye-catching themes
- Luxury drop-top gets unique styling and an opulent interior
- Powered by a twin-turbo V8
- Plenty of customisation options
- Maybach accessories to match the car
- Back seats lost to double-bubble rear deck
- Launched at Monterey Car Week in California
The Maybach name is more associated with ultra-exclusive limousines, but now for the first time Mercedes-Benz has applied it to a sports car. The Mercedes-Maybach SL is based on the regular Mercedes SL but gets a luxurious makeover and takes its place at the top of Maybach’s extravagant range – comprised of the S-Class, GLS and EQS SUV.
The Maybach SL doesn’t consider luxury to be flying under the radar – it’s an extravagant makeover, from some angles hardly recognisable as the car it’s based on.
Mercedes-Maybach SL: design
The most striking design change is to be found up front. The SL’s usual AMG grille has been replaced with a more traditional upright grille, complete with bonnet ornament. Not only is there plenty of chrome but it’s illuminated, and flanked by new headlights with rose-gold accents.
The rear deck has been extended into a new double-scoop affair, which eats into the space otherwise occupied by the rear seats – making the Maybach SL a strict two-seater compared with the regular SL’s 2+2 arrangement.
New bumpers front and rear are also extensively chromed, as is the windscreen frame.
Both curated colour schemes are rather eye-catching – with two-tone paintwork in either red or white with a black bonnet.
It’s not just a black bonnet, though – it has a chrome fin running along the centre, the Maybach logo repeated across it and several layers of lacquer. You’ll also find the Maybach logo integrated into the multi-layer fabric roof.
Mercedes-Maybach SL: interior and engine
The interior structure remains the same as the regular SL, but it’s as eye-catching as the rest of the car with ‘sustainably tanned’ Nappa leather in crystal white across the doors, centre console and seats. A floral design and chrome trim finish off the effect.
If you’d like to match your car, a full range of Maybach accessories including a leather jacket are available.
The Maybach uses a version of Mercedes’ twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, familiar across the regular SL range. It uses the most powerful version from the AMG SL63 – it produces 585hp and has four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
It’s tuned for comfort and refinement rather than outright pace, though – 0-62mph takes half a second longer in the Maybach than it does in the standard SL63. There’s also a quieter exhaust and extensive insulation to make the Maybach SL rather more refined than its AMG-tuned sibling.
How much is it and can I buy one?
The Maybach SL will be available in the UK, though pricing and release haven’t been announced. Expect a figure around £200,000, though.
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