Two-Seat Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Is The Sportiest Maybach Ever, But Doesn’t Get S680 Sedan’s V12

Since Mercedes resurrected the Maybach brand for the second time in 2014 we’ve seen the name applied to luxury sedans, SUVs and EVs. But this week it makes its debut on a production convertible, the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram.

Though nowhere near as imposing as the 2017 Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet concept that previewed it, and very obviously a made-over SL, the 680 isn’t short on visual impact. The Maybach logo is sprayed around liberally, including on the front air intake and soft-top roof, in the same way that non-automotive luxury brands like Louis Vuitton apply their names to designer bags.

And customers can even go further, plastering Maybach symbols all over a hood that is bisected by a chrome bonnet fin.

Related: Mercedes-Maybach SL Coming To Pebble Beach, Will Be Joined By Two Special Editions

That retro-style fin isn’t the only piece of brightwork that’s designed to telegraph the SL680’s luxury message. The windshield surround, lower air intake in the front bumper, bespoke Maybach grille (illuminated, of course) and nose-mounted Mercedes star all buck the fashion for blackout- and color-coded trim.

The interior takes a similar approach to help differentiate the 680 from other SLs. Though the basic dashboard architecture and portrait touchscreen is the same, the media display and digital gauge cluster get Maybach-specific start-up animations and graphics and the steering wheel, seats, lower dash and door panels are all swathed in crystal-white nappa leather. Frankly, it’s stressing us out just looking at the pictures and wondering how you’d keep it clean.

V12 is a no-show

While the ‘680’ in the Maybach SL’s name raises hopes that Mercedes has somehow crammed the S680 sedan’s 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 under the hood, we’re sorry to tell you that there’s only a V8 located between the shock towers. And it’s not even the SL63 S E Performance’s 805 hp (816 PS) PHEV V8, just the regular 4.0-liter mill from the SL63.

Still, its 577 hp (585 PS) probably isn’t far short of the V12’s 603 hp (611 PS) when you consider it must weigh less, though the V12 does out-grunt the V8 with 663 lb-ft (900 Nm) to the 63’s 590 lb-ft (800 Nm). Power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes’ usual 9G-Tronic auto ’box.

Slower than an SL55 and SL63

Exactly how much more the SL680 weighs than the SL63, Mercedes doesn’t say. But it must be a lot because it quotes 4.1 seconds to 62 mph (100 km/h) for the Maybach and 3.6 seconds for the SL63 with the same engine and power output, and 3.9 seconds for the 470 hp (477 PS) SL55. The top speed is also reduced from the SL63’s 196 mph (315 km/h) to 162 mph (260 km/h) via an electronic limiter.

To help make the V8 feel as refined as a V12, Maybach’s engineers have made some important changes, including fitting softer engine mounts, recalibrating the throttle pedal characteristics and adding a “noise-optimized” exhaust system. The optimizing in this case is the exact opposite of what us car enthusiasts expect that term to mean when talking about V8s and exhausts.

The SL680 also features additional sound insulation versus the SL63 and a softer suspension setup. So in summary, it’s going to be more soggy and less exciting to drive than other SLs, but the tweaks should really ramp up the luxury feel. And besides, AMG‘s lineup has you covered if you want an SL that majors on performance and agility.

Room for two and no more

But there is one SL680 feature that makes it sportier than any other SL on sale: it only has two seats. Mercedes went back to a 2+2 arrangement for the latest SL, a configuration not offered since the late 1980s, but the 680 swaps the tiny rear chairs for an aerodynamic cover that extends the rear deck up to the front-seat headrests. This isn’t the first ever two-seat Maybach, however. Spohn Karrosserie’s stylish Maybach SW38 beat it to the punch by almost 90 years.

Prices haven’t been revealed, but considering the SL63 already costs $187,000, the check is going to be well in excess of $210k. And it’ll be even bigger if you opt for the launch edition SL 680 Monogram Series Red Ambience, or SL 680 Monogram Series White Ambience, which match either garnet red or opalite white magno paint with obsidian black metallic.

You can also you add items like the new Maybach leather jacket and bags to your shopping basket if you really have money to burn.

European deliveries begin in spring 2025, but other markets, including the US, won’t get their cars until later in the year.