Wait, Are You Sure This Is a Maybach?
How could we not be? Maybach made several significant changes to the AMG SL-Class on which the Maybach SL680 is based, and we’ll endeavor to document them all. However, upon close inspection, the proliferation of logos is likely the first thing you’ll notice. The new grille is a forest of 3D Maybach logos, and these logos are prominently etched into the door panels, stitched into the fabric roof, and found on each of the seats and pedals. Wait, what’s that, Potential Buyer? You want more Maybach logos? OK, then! You can get a gaggle of them painted on the all-black hood, one of only three options offered on the 2025 Maybach SL.
No one can fail to notice this is the Maybach version of the Mercedes-Benz SL—unless perhaps they are driving it, because the steering wheel inexplicably bears not a Maybach logo but a giant Mercedes star. Still, there are enough repetitions of the Maybach logo that if Louis Vuitton were alive, he’d probably say, in beautifully French-accented English, “It’s enough already.”
Changes Beyond the Logos
Let’s run through the changes from front to back: The new 2025 Maybach SL680 gets a unique grille, a stand-up Mercedes hood ornament (not a Maybach logo? That seems like an oversight), and a chrome strip down the center of the hood. The windshield is framed in chrome, and while we are told this was an unintended consequence, under just-right conditions it reflects the sky and makes the windshield seem to disappear.
Shield your eyes, and let’s skip over the dazzling white interior for just a moment. While the Mercedes-AMG SL is a 2+2, the Maybach version loses the vestigial rear seats for a small storage shelf of sorts. However, due to German regulations, this cannot be called a storage shelf, which presumably would trigger all sorts of safety requirements.
Over the not-a-shelf is a plastic fairing that is etched with more Maybach logos. Atop it—bearing no Maybach logos—is a central glass panel that serves as a windbreak, eliminating the need for the AMG SL’s fussy folding windscreen. The fairing blends the transition from headrests to trunklid, which, like the rest of the sheet metal, is unchanged from other SLs. It gives the Maybach SL a handsome profile, though many will note a resemblance to the Porsche 911 Targa. The new Maybach SL680 finishes with a unique rear fascia that de-emphasizes the exhaust pipes and diffuser, delineating the Maybach’s role as a cruiser rather than a racer.
A Kinder, Gentler Mercedes SL?
Press the start button, and you engage the same powertrain as found in the AMG SL63, a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 rated for 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission, which uses a wet clutch in place of a torque converter, is also identical, but the all-wheel-drive system is retuned for less rear-axle bias. The 2025 Maybach SL680 weighs around 175 pounds more than the AMG SL63 due to its added features, and estimates suggest it will reach 60 mph in 4.0 seconds.
Engineers adjusted the chassis to indeed make the new Maybach SL more of a cruiser than a racer. Its springs are softer, particularly in the rear, since SL occupants sit closer to the rear axle. The shocks have a unique valving system that allows greater differentiation between Comfort and Sport modes. Moreover, the steering gear is newly designed, both in hardware and software, to relax the SL’s aggressive off-center response, which is advantageous for a relaxed cruise.
How Much? If You Have to Ask…
Maybach will announce pricing closer to the launch, which is expected in the summer of 2025. With the existing AMG SL63 starting at $188,150, and the Bentley Continental convertible priced well over a quarter million before options, it’s likely that the 2025 Maybach SL680’s price will begin with a two.
Mercedes will offer the Maybach SL680 with only three options: a choice of red or matte white paint, five-hole-disc wheels or multi-spoke rims, both 21 inches in diameter, and those Maybach logos painted on the hood. No other customization will be allowed, although special requests may be considered. Maybach compares its SL to a chef’s tasting menu, where the best elements have been curated for you. However, the fact that the SL680 is labeled as the Monogram Series suggests that more customizable versions may be in the pipeline.
Our Take: Concerns About Comfort and Customization
Yes, we have some concerns. First, the regular SL tends to be a relatively rough-riding car, even by AMG standards, so there is hope that this platform can be softened to deliver the smooth ride Mercedes claims for the Maybach version. Additionally, the wet-clutch transmission is not renowned for its smooth starts, and a slight, unwelcome judder has been noticed in other new SLs we’ve driven. As always, we reserve judgement until we have a chance to drive the new Maybach SL for ourselves.
We’re also skeptical of the “curated meal” approach: brands like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Porsche have had considerable success with customization, and Maybach has its own Manufaktur customization program for its sedan and SUV. Luxury is increasingly associated with bespoke options and experiences, which might make some customers hesitant about showing up in identical vehicles. Ultimately, while we may not fully grasp the appeal of a Louis Vuitton handbag, it’s clear the luxury market is pivoting towards exclusivity.
