Designer Driven

A SPECIAL COLLABORATION OFFERS A STYLISH UPGRADE TO AN ELITE-LEVEL MERCEDES-BENZ.

Mercedes-Benz had pushed the envelope as far as it could go—or so we thought. But now the German automaker’s engineers have given their already best-in-class Maybach sedan a next-level-of-luxury upgrade, and a few folks can own one of the new models—if they’re lucky.

The limited-quantity Mercedes-Maybach by Virgil Abloh is the final collaboration between the historic car company and the late fashion designer. Abloh, former artistic director at Louis Vuitton, helped complete the project before he died in November 2021. Mercedes planned just 150 units of the special edition, meaning these vehicles will be among the rarest in company history.

A two-tone paint job makes this car, essentially an ultra-exclusive S680, a visual masterpiece. The designers selected obsidian black for its top half, giving the hood, roof and trunk as well as the A, B and C pillars the dark shade. The lower body panels, including 20-inch wheels, are coated in a light tan hue.

The colors are replicated inside the cabin, where beige Nappa leather featuring precise diamond-stitched design covers the seats. Plush black leather lines portions of the door panels, foot wells and dashboard. If the two-tone scheme isn’t a giveaway that you’re driving a special-edition car, Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logos scattered throughout the interior will relay the message.

Like any Maybach—any model in Mercedes’ uber luxury line— this car has features aplenty. For starters, it boasts soft-close doors, dual touchscreens (a 12.8-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster), a rear entertainment system and 30 speakers. If that’s not enough, how do a 64-color ambient lighting system, heated and ventilated front massage seats and an air ionizing system with a signature fragrance sound? Under the hood, all S680s are equipped with a 621-horsepower, twin-turbo V12 that reportedly reaches 60 miles per hour from a standstill in about 4.5 seconds.

Remember, all that and more is standard. Optional equipment includes a refrigerator, branded Champagne flutes, rear-seat folding tables and temperature-controlled cup holders.

Those who bring home this Maybach will also receive a 1/18 scale replica of the car presented in a custom wooden box wrapped in, of course, Nappa leather. All of it can be yours for approximately $215,000.