Mercedes has decided that the already extravagant AMG SL 63 wasn’t quite posh enough, so they’ve given it the complete Maybach treatment. The result? The Maybach SL 680, a grand touring roadster that mixes power, polish, and a fair bit of chrome, is now available in India for a mere Rs 4.2 crore.
Before you reach for your chequebook, you should know that only three units are coming to India this year. So, if you’d like to experience the thrill of open-top motoring without ever having to mix with the sort of people who enjoy open-top motoring, you’ll need to be quick.
Exterior:
At first glance, one might mistake this for the AMG SL 63. But one would be terribly mistaken. The chrome radiator grille with illuminated vertical slats and the MAYBACH lettering ensure that everyone knows this is no mere SL—it’s something much grander.
The bonnet is finished in Obsidian Black because, of course, it is, and it comes adorned with more Maybach logos than is strictly necessary. If that’s not enough, you can even have them embossed into the soft-top fabric roof—a lovely touch if you feel your car should match your monogrammed bathrobes.
The wheels? Oh, they’re rather special. 21-inch forged alloys with 36 spokes that converge neatly at the centre with the iconic three-pointed star. If that’s not to your liking, Mercedes will happily fit 5-hole forged wheels instead because it's one must-have option.
A chrome strip runs tastefully between the wheels, the door handles and fenders get their fair share of shiny bits, and the rear bumper is smoother and more refined than the slightly more aggressive SL 63.
Interior:
Step inside, and you’ll find that the Maybach SL 680 has only two seats, unlike its four-seater AMG cousin. This is good news because, let’s be honest—rear seats in roadsters are utterly pointless. Instead, Mercedes has focused on making the cabin properly opulent, wrapping it in white Nappa leather from Manufaktur and ensuring every surface feels as indulgent as a high-end smoking lounge.
The steering wheel proudly displays ‘MAYBACH’ so you never forget what you’re driving, and the roll hoops behind the seats come adorned with Maybach signets. There’s a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a rather clever 11.9-inch central touchscreen, which tilts between 12 and 32 degrees—presumably for those moments when the sun is being particularly uncooperative.
Powertrain:
Now, under the bonnet lies something properly potent—a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 585bhp and 800Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic gearbox, and while it’s 0.5 seconds slower to 100kph than the AMG SL 63, it still manages the sprint in 4.1 seconds.
In other words, this is still a very fast car, but with one key difference—it’s been tuned for comfort. The exhaust has been hushed so you can actually hear yourself think, and the suspension has been softened so your spine doesn’t crumble over India’s less-than-perfect roads.
Top speed? A thoroughly respectable 260kph—not that you’ll ever need it, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
A True Maybach Experience, Without the Chauffeur
Mercedes has gone to great lengths to make this car as refined and exclusive as possible, and it shows. The Maybach SL 680 is for those who enjoy driving themselves rather than relying on a chauffeur to do the hard work. It’s a drawing room on wheels, but one that just so happens to be able to outpace most things on the road.
At Rs 4.2 crore, it’s hardly what one would call a bargain, but then again, bargains are for supermarkets—not Maybachs. If you fancy one, best hurry—only three are up for grabs. And in a country where exclusivity is a status symbol in itself, that might just be the most appealing thing of all.
