The First-Ever Mercedes-AMG Maybach Is Finally Happening

Key Takeaways

• Mercedes-AMG SL-Class to receive Maybach treatment, combining performance and luxury.
• Key visual differences on early prototypes include a new grille, redesigned front bumper, and only two exhaust tips.
• Maybach SL likely to feature a twin-turbo V8 engine and luxurious interior.

The first-ever AMG Maybach has finally been spotted in the wild, with CarBuzz spies catching a glimpse of a forthcoming version of the Mercedes-AMG SL-Class that will be given the Maybach treatment. The anomalous detail here is that the German automaker has always kept these two sub-brands separate, with AMG focusing on performance and Maybach on supreme luxury. Back in 2014, the then-director of development for the S-Class confirmed that “the badges would remain separate.” But with the new SL-Class being an AMG product from the ground up, it seems that ideology has been tossed out completely.

How Do We Know This Is A Maybach SL?

From the photos, we can see what looks like an ordinary Mercedes-AMG SL 63, but the devil is in the details here, as the vertically vaned grille is not the typical AMG item and has more spokes. The front bumper will also be redesigned with far less aggression, and with less of a performance orientation, smaller front air intakes are likely to make the cut as the brakes shouldn’t require as much cooling.

There are a few other giveaways that this is the Maybach SL, though, as the exhaust tips are limited to just two items. Even the four-cylinder-powered AMG SL 43 has quad pipes, so the change is pretty important. Plus, the rear logo is taped over, suggesting the three-pointed star could make way for the Maybach logo instead.

While we haven’t seen the interior, we’d expect sumptuous quilted leather on every surface, with softer suspension and seating to make the experience even more plush.

As for what’s powering the Maybach SL, our spies tell us this has the twin-turbo V8 from the SL 63. If true, this will be one Maybach that won’t get a V12 engine. In the current SL 63, that V8 produces 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, but we’ve seen even more in the plug-in hybrid SL 63 S E Performance. With a focus on luxury and comfort, though, we don’t expect the hybrid system to feature here.

Could This Be The First Mercedes To Wear AMG And Maybach Badges?

Names might not matter to auto execs who call electric SUVs Mustangs, but in the world of Mercedes, a label means something. If the SL were still a Mercedes-Benz model, Merc would simply label it a Mercedes-Maybach and be done with it, but since the SL starts out life as an AMG model, we have to wonder whether Mercedes would be so cruel as to ditch the AMG suffix in favor of a Maybach one? The Maybach SL was teased as far back as 2022, and back then, we saw Maybach wording atop the grille with no AMG badges in sight in a very low-res image.

Basically, what we want to know is whether this will be a Mercedes-Maybach SL, a Mercedes-Maybach SL AMG, or a Mercedes-AMG SL Maybach – something we’ll only get the answer to when the car is revealed.

This Isn’t The Mercedes SL Mythos We Were Promised

If you’re a fan of Mercedes and Maybach, you’ll likely remember a teaser posted by company chief designer Gordon Wagener of a new SL derivative that was to be revealed under the exclusive ‘Mythos’ line of vehicles. You’ll also remember the roofless, winshieldless Mercedes‑AMG PureSpeed Concept – a speedster variant limited to 250 units that was shown earlier in the year – which was said to be the first Mythos variant. But anyone who compares the PureSpeed with the teaser posted by Wagener will see that the teaser showcases a windscreen and prominent nacelles behind the cockpit.

As those nacelles aren’t present here, we can only assume that the prototype we’ve spied is not part of the Mythos line but is a dedicated Maybach variant aimed at a more luxurious grand touring experience. That means rivaling the likes of the new Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible.