However, you already knew that, as we saw a couple of prototypes testing last month. However, this is the first official confirmation of the upcoming model, which will celebrate its public unveiling next weekend. The sleek open-top car will be presented to the public on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 18, 2024.
When the films are peeled off the body, the 2025 Mercedes-Maybach SL will reveal a modified design compared to the AMG variants. It will feature a dedicated grille similar to those found on other modern Maybachs, with more vertical slats and extra chrome than the Panamericana variant. The front bumper will also be new and will apparently have a single air intake. The brand also appears to have revised the side skirts and the rear diffuser is less aggressive.
Further exterior details will include dual oval exhaust pipes at the rear. It should also get Maybach logos on the front fenders and other unique emblems on the trunk lid. The paint finishes will also likely be unique, as will the wheels. However, it’s worth noting that the latest tester dug up borrowed its alloys from the SL 63 SE Performance, but since we couldn’t see a charging port, it certainly didn’t use the same plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Photo: Baldauf
There are no details on the engine family, but it is said to be a non-electrified Fiesta V8, with the 4.0-liter twin-turbo unit offered in two power outputs, in the SL 580 and SL 680 (names unconfirmed). For example, the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 4Matic gets 496 horsepower (503 ps/370 kW) for 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.7 seconds. The Maybach S 680 4Matic brings a V12, which produces 621 hp (630 ps/463 kW) and reduces the sprint time by two-tenths of a second.
The SL 63 SE Performance’s powertrain would have made the first-ever Mercedes-Maybach SL a true beast. It combines an electric motor with the famous V8 for a total of 805 hp (816 ps/600 kW). The plug-in hybrid roadster is breathless at 197 mph (317 km/h) and sprints from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that in the world of cars, you never say never, so who knows, maybe the Maybach SL will eventually get this build – or so we hope.
As mentioned above, it will probably be a V8-only party, as no V12 engine will find its way under the hood. The SL doesn't need a twelve-cylinder, as the V8 is more than sufficient for a car of this class, and this part probably won't fit without serious modifications. However, it would be extremely nice for Mercedes to launch a V12-powered SL, even if it were a Maybach and not an AMG, as it would erase some of its sins from the C 63 and GLC 63 (2.0L PHEV), and we think it would attract more buyers to the upcoming model.
Photo: Baldauf
There’s no reason to believe the Mercedes-Maybach SL won’t be coming to the U.S., and it will likely land in the New World for the 2025 model year. Reports are calling for an MSRP of over $200,000 for the top-end SL 680, with the lower-spec SL 580 possibly costing a bit less. The current Mercedes-Maybach SL 63 starts at $187,000. The SL 55, which is also a V8-powered model, starts at $144,500, and the SL 43, which uses a four-cylinder, starts at $111,800 in our market.
In addition to the alleged V8-only firepower, likely tweaked to fit the Maybach name, and the unique exterior touches, we also expect the luxury roadster to feature premium leather upholstery and trim inside, as well as a generous amount of equipment. We’re actually curious to see if the three-pointed star company will implement a champagne cooler and flutes, and other amenities expected of a luxury-focused vehicle, and whether it will give it more soundproofing and thicker windows for a quieter ride.
The Maybach SL won’t be the only new Mercedes to grace this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as the automaker has also prepared a Mercedes-Maybach S 680 Nordic Glow that bears the Manufaktur signature across its entire surface and is said to “exemplify the Maybach tradition of craftsmanship at its finest.” Production is limited to 50 examples, with all of them being sold exclusively in the United States. Other vehicles from the three-pointed star brand will join the Maybach duo at next week’s event, including a one-of-a-kind AMG GT3 race car that celebrates 130 years of Mercedes-Benz motorsports at Pebble Beach and will be limited to 13 units.