[AUTO] 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL-Class

[Mr.Ares]

The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series represents a new direction for Benz's high-end luxury division: rather than a huge ultra-posh sedan or SUV, the SL680 is a two-seater is based on the feisty Mercedes-AMG SL63 sportscar. Currently, Maybach offers super-posh versions

of the S-class sedan, the GLS-class SUV, and the EQS EV SUV. Their lush interiors are geared equally towards those being chauffeured and anyone who might deign to drive themselves. This newest Maybach attempts to bend the SL63's personality from sharp-edged speed demon to high-end grand touring machine. It retains the AMG version's honking

577-hp twin-turbo V-8, nine-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive, but Maybach says its driving personality has been softened and quieted significantly with under-the-skin changes. Like all Maybach vehicles, the SL680 gets several styling revisions and a special two-tone paint job to distinguish it from the hordes of plebian Mercedes products plying the roads. Pricing hasn't been revealed yet but it's going to be very expensive given the premium it will command over the AMG SL63, which starts at $188,050.

What's New for 2026?

Mercedes-Maybach heaps a thick layer of luxury on top of the rowdy Mercedes-AMG SL63 sports car with the aim of turning the SL680 into a sumptuous grand touring convertible. It comes in two color combinations only: Red Ambiance (metallic red) and White Ambiance (bright white)—both with black hoods. Visual changes also include new front and rear fascias, a Maybach grille, chrome exterior trim, Maybach-specific 21-inch wheels, and a soft top covered in Maybach logos—a look reminiscent of a Louis Vuitton handbag. All Maybach SLs have bright white leather interiors, with additional padding in the seats to go with their new stitching patterns. Every last bit of Mercedes infotainment tech is standard.

For now, there is only one model in the Mercedes-Maybach SL lineup, the SL680, and it should be significantly more expensive than the AMG SL63 on which it's based. Maybach has not said if there are any option packages aside from a special custom-painted hood that, like the standard soft top, is covered with a pattern of Maybach logos. Future years will likely bring the ability to customize your SL680 with a near-infinite selection of paint and interior color combinations.

Since the Maybach SL680 is based on the current production Mercedes-AMG SL63 convertible, which Mercedes says has been softened and quieted for luxury duty, we have some idea of what to expect in terms of performance. The SL680's powertrain components are unchanged from the SL63's and include that car's 577-hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Given the SL680's more supple suspension tuning, extra sound-deadening material, and quieter exhaust we expect its ride to be better at absorbing rough pavement, its handling to be less sharp, and its interior environment to be quieter with the top up. Having gained about 400 pounds during the Maybach makeover, we expect the SL680 to be slightly less of a straight-line rocket than the SL63. When we get a chance to drive the SL680, we'll update this story with driving impressions and test data.

Link: https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-maybach/sl580-sl680