With every Maybach around the world built strictly to order, no two are ever the same. That makes the opportunity to get behind the wheel exceptionally rare. Here is what happened when Mercedes-Benz SA invited us on an exclusive back-to-back drive from Somerset West to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to test the brand-new Mercedes-Maybach SL680.
Mercedes-Maybach has added a fourth model to its global line-up. The badge on the back reads SL680, but beneath the emblem and two-tone paint job sits an AMG SL63, powered by Mercedes-Benz’s stalwart 4.0-litre bi-turbo under its elongated bonnet.
Mercedes SA invited us on a rather exclusive drive, starting at a beautiful old hotel in Somerset West with a cracking driving route twisting and turning to the top of the stunning Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
After a quick coffee and a quiche, we sauntered over to the line-up of two Mercedes-AMG SL63s and two Mercedes-Maybach SL680s gleaming in the morning sun. The idea was to afford the journos the opportunity to drive a “normal” SL and the Maybach SL back-to-back, which was actually a great approach.
First impressions and interior luxury
The PR chap at Mercedes SA told me that the Maybach SL680 offers a radically different driving experience to the AMG SL63, and that I should immediately feel the difference. Apparently the Maybach is waftier, the exhaust setup and exhaust note are totally different, and the interior seems to be made of recycled polar bears, with the thickest, whitest footwell carpets I’ve ever seen.
In short, he was completely bang-on about everything. Even on start-up, with the SL63s cranking over right next to the Maybachs, the latter’s exhaust note is smoother, toned down, less rowdy. It’s bassy and distinctly V8 in character, but it’s more … luxurious? Can an exhaust note be luxurious?
On the road: Ride quality and performance
Leaving the parking lot, the difference in how the air suspension was set up was immediately apparent. The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 feels like it’s floating, compared to the setup in the SL63 which is tuned to send much more feedback and road feel to your backside.
The Maybach’s ride quality has an impressive dual nature. In comfort mode, the whole experience is quiet, plush and feels extremely expensive, with a burble of V8 noise reminding you that you do have a 430 kW/800 Nm bi-turbo V8 in front of you.
Pop the system into sport mode, hit the twisties and the suspension noticeably firms up, almost completely dialing out body roll so you can throw it around a bit with confidence.
Ultimately, 430 kW and 800 Nm are potent numbers and the V8 delivers such a powerful burst of acceleration that I actually got a fright I unleashed it. The SL680 properly, properly fast, and I don’t think any prospective Maybach owner will feel the need for any more oomph.
The exhaust system is active and the pipes open up in sport mode, delivering a much more aggressive exhaust note, but still with a touch of class. While the claimed power outputs remain unchanged from the AMG SL63, the Maybach is quite a bit heavier, probably because of the extensive soundproofing and perhaps all the polar bear fur…
Pricing and exclusive touches
Driving the SL63 and SL680 back-to-back was an illuminating experience. Before I set off, I asked the price difference between the two: an SL63’s starting price is currently R3.982 million, while the SL680 starts at R5.029 million (before you get stuck into the options list).
So the challenge was to see and feel if the Maybach’s R1.05 million premium felt like a R1.05 million premium. There are certainly some standout exclusive features, including:
- Hood ornament: The erect Three-pointed Star makes a comeback, sitting proudly on the bonnet and built on a swivel so you don’t stab a pedestrian on impact. Nostalgic Mercedes enthusiasts will love this option.
- Paint and styling: The OEM paint colours available are exclusive to Maybach, as is the two-tone paint scheme.
- Wheels: There are myriad 21-inch wheels to choose from. South Africans do seem to love the Merc Monoblocks, and a slightly reimagined Monoblock was fitted to the white test car on the day, splitting opinions on social media.
Verdict
The two Maybachs drew an enormous amount of attention on the road. While some may find them a bit gaudy, a bit over the top, or perhaps tacky even (the laser-etched Maybach emblem on the canvas roof is very debatable), the fact remains that they look like nothing else on the road.
And that, I suspect, is the point. If you have R5 million to spend, you either want no one to notice you, or you want everyone to notice you. In the Mercedes-Maybach SL680, you are absolutely guaranteed to stand out.
Ciro De Siena
Ciro built his first car website back in his university days and despite denting his first ever test car, it launched his career. He's still at this car journalism gig 16 years later and over the years has hosted live TV segments on national television and hosts a regular car segment on CapeTalk radio. He is most at his happiest however producing content for the Cars.co.za Youtube channel.
