The New Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 with its $463k Swagger

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ABOVE: Mercedes-Maybach SL 680in White Or red note the monogram bonnet and roof detail

The Maybach Treatment: From Glorious Failures to Gilded Badges

Maybach’s history as a modern luxury brand is, frankly, a bit of a rollercoaster. In the early 2000s, Mercedes tried to resurrect the brand as a standalone Rolls-Royce competitor with the Maybach 57 and 62. They were essentially stretched S-Classes priced like small islands, and they failed spectacularly, depreciating faster than a block of cheese left in the sun.

Realising their mistake, Mercedes wisely pivoted. They killed the standalone brand and turned Maybach into a top-tier trim level—the “Mercedes-Maybach.” It was a stroke of absolute genius. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class quickly became the default transport for oligarchs globally. Then they got delightfully weird with it, giving us the G 650 Landaulet—a convertible G-Wagon with the rear seats of a private jet—and the bouncy, chrome-dipped GLS 600.

Now, the Maybach magic wand has been waved over the SL. It ditches the standard aggressive roadster vibe for an aura of absolute, unabashed exclusivity.

Drivetrain & Dynamics: Fast, But Please Don’t Spill the Champagne

Underneath the incredibly long bonnet lies a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine producing a formidable 430kW and 800Nm of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels via a fully variable 4MATIC+ system and a 9-speed SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission that actually features a dedicated “MAYBACH” drive programme.

This car will hit 100km/h in 4.1 seconds. But let’s be honest, you aren’t buying a Maybach for traffic light drag races. The focus here is entirely on effortless, wafting momentum. To keep your champagne from fizzing over, it features Active Ride Control suspension, dynamic engine mounts, and rear-axle steering (up to 2.5 degrees) so you can manoeuvre out of cramped valet parking spots without looking like an amateur. There’s even a front axle lift system to gracefully glide over steep driveways and speed humps.

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Exterior & MANUFAKTUR Because “Standard” is for the Poors

You won’t mistake this for a standard SL. The SL 680 announces your arrival with a massive, illuminated Maybach-specific grille, an upright Mercedes star on the bonnet, and enough high-gloss chrome to blind a low-orbit satellite. Standard metallic paints include Garnet Red and Opalite White MAGNO, both designed to contrast heavily with the black bonnet.

But if you’re buying off the rack, you aren’t doing Maybach right. Enter the MANUFAKTUR program. For an additional $24,300, you can choose from over 50 exclusive exterior finishes. The absolute pièce de résistance, however, is the optional Mercedes-Maybach patterned bonnet ($16,900). Mercedes uses a new “PixelPaint” process to literally print a complex, intricate pattern of Maybach logos directly onto the Obsidian Black metal. It is then hand-sanded and double-clearcoated to give it a deep 3D effect. Yes, you are paying the price of a decent used hatchback for a facial tattoo on your car. It’s magnificent.

The digital light headlamps even feature rosé gold detailing, and puddle lamps project a Maybach motif onto the pavement when you open the doors. Subtle? Absolutely not.

Interior & Tech with More Cows, More Screens

Inside, the cabin is a sanctuary. Nappa leather covers almost every conceivable surface, complemented by a MANUFAKTUR DINAMICA microfibre roof liner. The sports seats feature a bespoke floral upholstery layout with embossed Maybach emblems, and the floor mats are high-pile, meaning you should probably ask your passengers to remove their shoes before entering.

Technology is anchored by an 11.9-inch MBUX central display complete with augmented reality navigation and 5G connectivity. To drown out the wind noise (and the sounds of the proletariat), there is a 1220-watt Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system with 17 speakers.

You also get a comprehensive suite of safety nannies—the Driving Assistance Package Plus—which includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist. Essentially, the car will practically drive itself in a traffic jam while you receive a hot stone massage from the climatised multicontour front seats.

The Elephant in the Room is The SUV Apocalypse

We need to talk about the bittersweet reality of this vehicle. Let’s face it: nobody buys passenger cars anymore. In 2025, SUVs officially dominated the Australian landscape, accounting for over 61% of all new vehicle sales. Meanwhile, traditional passenger cars have plummeted to just 13.3% of the market—a staggering 68% drop over the last decade.

For every one roadster sold, Mercedes is shipping roughly ten GLC and GLE SUVs. The world has succumbed to the SUV apocalypse, where everyone is buying identical, soulless, high-riding boxes that look like angry household appliances. Convertibles, in particular, are practically an extinct species.

Despite the undeniable beauty of the SL 680, we have to acknowledge that this might very well be the final combustion-powered SL model ever made. We have already seen the cheaper, “non-Maybach” standard Mercedes-Benz versions ruthlessly cancelled or replaced entirely by the AMG-only line-up. The affordable entry-level SL is dead. If you don’t have AMG or Maybach money, Mercedes politely suggests you take the bus. Because of this, the Maybach SL feels less like a new chapter and more like a glorious, V8-powered swan song for an era of top-down motoring that is rapidly closing.

Pricing and Options Checklist

• Base Price: $463,900 (MRLP)
• Maybach Pattern on bonnet: $16,900 (MRLP)
• MANUFAKTUR Exclusive paint: $24,300 (MRLP)
• 21-inch Maybach multi-spoke forged wheels: $12,900 (MRLP)

(Important note: The MRLP excludes all on-road costs, dealer delivery, stamp duty, and registration. If you have to ask how much those are, you probably shouldn’t be ticking the $17k bonnet tattoo option.)

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