Developed by the AMG division, the Mercedes SL will get a Maybach version. It’s called the Mercedes-Maybach SL, will arrive in 2025 as a 2026 model, and will be available in two versions: Maybach SL 580 and SL 680.
Photo: Youtube video captured Car Updater
Until now, Mercedes has launched AMG and Maybach models on Mercedes-developed platforms such as the GLS, S-Class, or EQS SUV, the latter only having a Maybach version, not an AMG.
For the first time, Mercedes will offer a Maybach version based on the Mercedes SL developed by the AMG division on a dedicated sports platform, called MSA (Modular Sports Architecture). The Maybach versions entail full suspension tuning because the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 we tested has a stiff suspension, more suited to a super sports car than a GT. In the case of the Mercedes-Maybach SL, customers expect high-class comfort, superior even to a traditional GT.
The Mercedes-Maybach SL will have the brand’s typical two-tone bodywork and front grille, several chrome inserts, and brand-specific wheels.
Fine tuning Active Ride Control suspension from the SL or a new air suspension?
There is very little information currently available, so it’s unknown whether Mercedes will keep the same suspension from the AMG SL or replace it with an air suspension.
The Mercedes-AMG SL features AMG Ride Control suspension as standard on the SL 63 version and optional on the SL 55. On each axle, the compression chamber of the right wheel damper is connected hydraulically with the expansion chamber of the left wheel damper, and conversely, the expansion chamber of the right wheel damper is connected hydraulically to the compression chamber of the left wheel damper. Each hydraulic circuit has a liquid reservoir whose pressure can be varied using a pump, and at each chamber, the flow rate can be varied by a control valve. Thus, by adjusting the liquid flow rate using the control valve, the shock absorber rate can be varied.
This suspension eliminates the need for active stabilizer bars because the hydraulic suspension performs both adaptive damping and active anti-roll functions.
A similar suspension is fitted to various Mc Laren models and is more suited to supersport cars.
Therefore, it is interesting to see whether Mercedes will replace the current suspension with an air suspension for the Maybach version or just modify its tuning to provide more comfort, for example by changing the pressure in the hydraulic circuit.
Two versions: Mercedes-Maybach SL 580 and SL 680. V8 and V12 or only V8?
As for the engine versions, more is known. There will be two versions of the Mercedes-Maybach SL, named SL 580 and SL 680, but we don’t know at this point what will be under the hood of each.
Almost certainly, the Mercedes-Maybach SL 580 will have the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with an output of around 500 PS (476 PS in the SL 55, 585 PS in the SL 63). As for the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680, there are rumors that under the hood will be the 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine from the Maybach S 680. But because of emissions, just like the Maybach GLS 600, we think Mercedes will still fit the Maybach SL 680 with a V8 engine with slightly less power than the SL 63 which has an output of 585 PS (the Maybach GLS 600 is 557 PS and the AMG GLS 63 612 PS).
We estimate that in the US the Mercedes-Maybach SL 580 will cost $175,000 and the Maybach SL 680 $225,000, while in Europe, the Maybach SL 580 will be priced around 180,000 euros (AMG SL 55 166,736 euros) and the Maybach SL 680 will cost around 210,000 euros (AMG SL 63 194,654 euros).
But even so, the new Mercedes-Maybach SL will be cheaper than the Bentley Continental GTC, which no longer has a V12 engine.
