2023 Mercedes-Benz S680 Virgil Abloh Edition

The Virgil Abloh package for the Maybach is a hybrid of worlds that represents a seismic shift in the world order. In the realm where old world tradition was the rule, no company represented that school of thought more thoroughly than Mercedes-Benz. At the peak of their run though the ‘80s and ‘90s, the S-Class sedan was the epitome of restrained luxury. Handsome but subtle, the exterior design of what many considered to be the best car in the world never shouted about itself, being the automotive example of speaking softly but carrying a big stick. The interior not only continued that theme, but took it further - made from the best materials, but clean, uncluttered... Some would even go so far as to say sparse. 

This, of course, made them the darling of the old money crowd. These S-Classes were purchased and kept for decades - always fastidiously maintained - by the kind of families that would never be so obvious as to buy a new S-Class every year, even if they easily could. But the Mercedes approach to visual restraint also, as a notable contrast, made them ripe for the aftermarket tuners and companies looking to make them flashier and more expressive. Body kits, big chrome wheels and huge, three-pointed stars applied to the center of the traditional chrome Mercedes grill. Not a back-lit version of the star, by the way, because even the flashiest of companies would have found that too wild to consider at that time. While this made them even more popular in general, with ever-increasing sales totals, as a company Mercedes took the public posture of being generally displeased with the whole sordid mess.

But the concept of luxury has changed. Being well built is still important, but a modern car has to offer a sense of occasion, and featuring options a ‘standard’ vehicle wouldn’t. The level of adjustable atmospheric lighting and equipment available to the modern luxury car buyer is mandatory when even the most basic economy car boasts impressive levels of luxury content. Excellent engineering isn’t something you can necessarily see, so instead of shying away from culture, Mercedes leaned into it.

Mercedes introduced the Mercedes-Maybach S-Klasse ‘Maybach by Virgil Abloh’ S680 that interpreted the style, fashion, material, and design directions set by Virgil Abloh and Gordon Wagener for their ‘Project Maybach’ concept car. The special edition honors Virgil Abloh, who passed away in 2021 from cancer.

A highly customized Mercedes-Maybach S680, Abloh and Wagener’s creation is finished with a two-tone paint job, akin to the one found on the Project Maybach concept car. The upper section is painted in Obsidian Black, while the bottom of the car, including the monoblock wheels, is coated in Colorado Beige.

The same two-tone scheme appears inside, with sand-colored nappa leather accented by black trim on the doors, center console, and steering wheel. Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logos adorn the center console, rear cushions, headrests, and doorsills. Even the infotainment system has been customized – the home button has a matching tan color and a logo marking the special edition. There are also available profile pictures for the screen featuring fashion accessories.

In addition to the Virgil Abloh specification, this particular example boasts several optional equipment features, including the Executive Rear Seat PLUS package, refrigerated rear seat console, and matching champagne flutes.

Under the hood of the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 4MATIC is a 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine which is augmented by a 48-volt hybrid system that is mated to a 9G Tronic Transmission, which produces 621 horsepower and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) is reached in 4.5 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

This is one of just 150 examples of the Abloh Edition Maybach that were produced, and one of 39 made in U.S. specification. It has 60 miles (about 96 kilometers) on the odometer, was recently serviced at Mercedes, and is located in Chicago, Illinois.