Mercedes-Maybach SL680 driven

Double Apex was invited to the national media ride-and-drive event of the Mercedes-Maybach SL680, the most opulent open-top model on offer from the German automaker.

Maybach has a long tradition of producing luxurious automobiles that stretches back to the start of the last century. After multiple closures and resurrections, the brand found a home within the Mercedes-Benz portfolio. The German automaker was ideally placed to continue the legacy of the sub-brand. Under its new parent co, there have been multiple new models in recent times. Among these are the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV and Maybach SL680 cabrio, which is the car we recently got to drive in the Western Cape.

Familiar Base and Face

Part of Maybach’s rejuvenation is the ability of Mercedes to base the more luxurious offerings off of existing bases. As a result the SL Monogram Series shares its basics with the SL63 cabriolet that was developed by AMG. The latter car was engineering to fulfill multiple roles: that of an open top sportscar to replace the GT series roadster, the open-top SL as well as the most luxurious offering of all, the Mercedes-Maybach SL680. With that briefed in from the get-go, the SL was left with a wide operating window.

Sure, the profile may be similar, but there is plenty that let’s the Maybach version justify its price premium. The differentiation starts up front with a Maybach-specific grille that sits at the leading edge of the long bonnet. The bonnet boasts an upright three-pointed star, something not seen on a Mercedes in some time, while chrome trim runs the length of the centre line something that is easily noted from the front seats as well.

The launch themes really do make these SLs stand out. Red Ambience pairs Obsidian Black metallic with Manufaktur Garnet Red metallic. The other is called White Ambience which has a Manufaktur Opalite White Magno base with a contrasting black bonnet. It is the latter we had as our steed on the drive event. And to really let onlookers know these are not run-of-the-mill SLs, both ride on massive alloys, one a multi-spoke design and the other a familiar five-spoke mono-block.

Cushy Inside

The exterior treatment is a level up on the SL AMG, but the cabin really ramps up the luxury. First thing one notices is the Crystal White Nappa leather interior. The same shade is used on the door trim as well as for the hand-stitched, deep-pile carpets, which really makes one think about sliding off the shoes you just wore through a dusty parking lot.

Maybach ditches the rear seats in favour of a parcel/bag shelf. The seats are larger, more padded with a geometric flower motif and feature heating, cooling and neck warming functions. The steering is factionally larger with a piano-black plastic outer rim and none of the drive configuration buttons or dials of its spiritual twin. And one of the best changes is the addition of a physical rocker switch for operating the roof, as opposed to the electronic slider in the SL63. We spent most of our drive with the roof in place, which allowed use to enjoy the acoustically sealed rooflining, making the cabin feel almost like that of a fixed roof car.

On the Move

Mercedes-Benz South Africa laid on a relaxed drive route that took in part of the Winelands area as well as some coastal roads. To underline the differences between its two most expensive drop-tops, we were given a chance to drive an SL63 AMG for half the route. It is a car we have prior knowledge of, having driven it on nearly the same roads during a previous event. Click here to read more. But it’s never a chore to drive an AMG-badged car so we enjoyed the hunkered down cabriolet with its sporty bent and raucous engine.

Post lunch we swapped over to the SLs ‘bigger brother’. The differences are marked after just a few kilometres of driving the Maybach. Firstly one notices the softer, more waftier ride quality. The SL680 certainly isn’t as sporty as the SL63. That sense is underlined by a less laser-focused steering action and a hint more body roll.

There is plenty of power on tap from the familiar 4,0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. 430 kW is ably handled by the variable all-wheel drive system after it passes through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine is more subdued in this application than we’re used to. Exhaust theatrics are kept to a minimum and even the gearshifts delivered with less force than in the SL63. This is far more a grand tourer than it is a sportscar.

Summary

The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series really is a car in its own right. MBSA was smart to have AMG versions on hand as a direct comparison point. If the SL63 is a rival to a Porsche 911 4s Cabriolet, then the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 is more along the lines of a Bentley Continental GT Cabrio competitor. Seen that way the Maybach’s level of opulence and matching price tag (of R5 092 000) are easier to understand.