Monterey Car Week is shaping up to be bigger than most auto shows and Mercedes will use the event to stage three world premieres. The star is the all-new Mercedes-Maybach SL, which will be unveiled on August 18. Mercedes is staying tight-lipped about the model, but prototypes have been spied undergoing testing in Europe with relatively minor changes. That being said, the Maybach variant will be distinguished by a unique grille and what appears to be a modified front bumper. They’ll be joined by exclusive wheels and a special dual exhaust system. We can also expect Maybach badging as well as a special soft top.
Spy photographers haven’t gotten a look
inside, but the interior is what makes Maybach variants so special. As a
result, we can expect premium leather and wood trim as well as an assortment of
special touches. While the exact details remain to be seen, the car should have
a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch infotainment system.
Powertrain details are also elusive, but the natural candidate is a twin-turbo
4.0-liter V8 developing 577 hp and 799 Nm of
torque. It enables the SL 63 to accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 3.5
seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 315
km/h.
Besides the SL, Mercedes-Maybach will
introduce the new S 680 Nordic Glow Edition. Created specifically for the
United States, the Manufaktur limited edition promises to exemplify
“craftsmanship at the highest level.” That’s not much to go on, but production
will be limited to 50 units. They’ll likely cost more than US$ 234,000 and be
powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 pumping out 621 hp and 899 Nm of torque. This should enable the massive sedan to hit 96 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
Aside from two new Maybachs, Mercedes will
celebrate 130 years of motorsport. As part of this effort, the company will
unveil a limited edition Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car that “draws from two
formative eras of motorsport.” Production will be limited to 13 units. Mercedes
will also have an assortment of classic cars on display including a 1924 Targa
Florio race car, a 1932 Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, and a 1970 C 111-II.