Mercedes-Maybach’s collaboration with fashion visionary Virgil Abloh produced two landmark creations: the futuristic electric Project MAYBACH show car and the ultra-exclusive limited-edition Mercedes-Maybach S680. Only 150 units of the S680 were produced, finalizing Abloh’s creative partnership before his November 2021 death.
Maybach and Virgil Abloh: A Historic Collaboration in Luxury Design
The partnership between Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh marked a defining moment when haute fashion intersected with German automotive luxury. Abloh, founder of Off-White™ and former Louis Vuitton menswear director, began collaborating with Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener in 2020.
This wasn’t Abloh’s first automotive project. He previously created Project Geländewagen, a rally-inspired G-Wagon – before launching his Maybach collaboration. The Maybach partnership represented his third collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and second with the Maybach subbrand.
The collaboration was unveiled at Art Basel in December 2021, honoring Abloh’s legacy shortly before his untimely passing at age 41.
What Was Project MAYBACH? The Visionary Partnership Explained
Project MAYBACH emerged from a sketch concept that evolved into a genre-defining electric show car. The partnership adhered to the motto “Sophisticated Luxury meets Outdoor Adventure,” merging Maybach’s luxury expertise with Abloh’s functional design philosophy.
The show car was a two-seater, all-electric Maybach featuring a solar panel under the front hood. It pushed Mercedes-Maybach to “the limits of exploration” by bringing utility and outdoors aesthetics to traditional luxury.
Mercedes-Maybach emphasized the project was “more than just a show car,” teasing a collaborative capsule collection that followed the vehicle’s unveiling. The collaboration represented a future intersection of fashion, art, and automotive design.
The Mercedes-Maybach S680 by Virgil Abloh: Limited Edition Details
The centerpiece of Project MAYBACH was Abloh’s final completed work: a bespoke Mercedes-Maybach S680 limited to 150 units worldwide. The vehicle was finalized before Abloh’s November 2021 death.
The S680 is the only Maybach model retaining the legendary V12 engine, first introduced in the early 1930s on the Maybach Zeppelin.
Project MAYBACH Off-Road Concept: The Futuristic Electric Show Car
The Off-Road Concept was a one-of-a-kind electric show car designed for Miami Art Week at the Rubell Museum on December 1, 2021. It represented Abloh’s vision for future electric luxury design.
The show car featured a rugged, safari-inspired aesthetic while maintaining Maybach’s signature luxury. The two-seater configuration emphasized exclusivity and modern design language.
This concept pushed traditional Maybach boundaries by incorporating outdoor adventure elements into sophisticated luxury, creating a genre-defining vehicle that challenged automotive design conventions.
Design Highlights: How Virgil Abloh Reimagined Maybach Luxury
Abloh’s design approach merged functional utility with elevated luxury. The limited S680 featured a unique two-tone exterior created specifically for Project MAYBACH.
Key design elements included:
-
Two-tone paintwork: Custom color combination exclusive to the collaboration
-
Functional touches: Outdoor-adventure elements integrated into luxury design
-
Craftsmanship details: Hand-crafted interior by Mercedes-Benz customization team
-
Modern luxury language: Reinvented meaning of sophisticated luxury for new generations
The vehicle exemplified “the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmanship” according to Wagener.
Legacy of the Collaboration: Only 150 Units of the S680 Produced
The 150-unit limitation makes the Virgil Abloh Maybach S680 one of the most exclusive Mercedes-Maybach productions ever. Each unit was sold as a strictly limited run.
This collaboration became Abloh’s third with Mercedes-Benz and final completed automotive project. The vehicle represents a defining moment for Mercedes-Maybach’s future direction toward fashion and art intersections.
The limited production ensures collectors and enthusiasts hold one of the most significant driver exceptions where fashion meets automotive luxury.
Virgil Abloh’s Influence on Automotive Design
Abloh revolutionized how fashion designers approach automotive collaboration. His Project Geländewagen and Project MAYBACH established a new paradigm for designer-car manufacturer partnerships.
His influence extended beyond aesthetics. Abloh integrated functionality and utility into luxury vehicles, challenging traditional automotive design boundaries. The “Sophisticated Luxury meets Outdoor Adventure” motto became a blueprint for future collaborations.
Industry experts cite Abloh’s work as opening doors for subsequent fashion-automotive partnerships, including Louis Vuitton’s own automotive explorations and other designer collaborations with luxury brands.
Where to See or Buy the Virgil Abloh Maybach Today
All 150 units of the S680 were sold following the collaboration’s 2021-2022 release. The vehicle is now available exclusively through private collectors and secondary markets.
To locate a Virgil Abloh Maybach:
-
Latest auctions: Monitor high-end automotive auctions (Bring a Trailer, Sotheby’s, Christie’s)
-
Private collectors: Contact luxury car dealers specializing in limited editions
-
Mercedes-Maybach heritage: The show car may appear at Mercedes-Benz museum exhibitions
-
Capsule collection: The collaborative fashion drop remains available through Off-White™ archives
The Project MAYBACH show car has been displayed at major automotive and art exhibitions since its unveiling.
Remembering Virgil Abloh: The Final Chapter of a Creative Genius
Virgil Abloh died on November 28, 2021, at age 41 from complications related to colorectal cancer. The S680 was finalized before his passing, making it his final completed automotive project.
Mercedes-Maybach unveiled Project MAYBACH at Art Basel in December 2021 specifically “honoring Virgil Abloh’s legacy“. The collaboration became a posthumous tribute to his visionary approach.
Abloh’s legacy continues through the capsule collection Mercedes announced alongside the show car, extending his creative impact beyond automotive design into fashion.
Virgil Abloh and Gorden Wagener: The Creative Partnership
The collaboration centered on the partnership between Abloh and Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Design Officer. Their work began in 2020 and continued through 2021.
Wagener described the collaboration as creating “the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmanship now available on the road”. Their partnership produced two major projects:
The duo reinvented “the meaning of sophisticated luxury for a new generation” by pushing Maybach to exploration limits.
FAQ
Q: How many Virgil Abloh Maybach S680 units were produced?
A: Exactly 150 units were produced worldwide, making it one of Mercedes-Maybach’s most exclusive limited editions.
Q: What is Project MAYBACH?
A: Project MAYBACH was Virgil Abloh’s collaborative electric show car with Mercedes-Maybach, unveiled at Art Basel in December 2021, featuring a two-seater all-electric design with solar panel technology.
Q: Did Virgil Abloh design a Mercedes car?
A: Yes, Abloh designed the limited-edition Mercedes-Maybach S680 and the Project MAYBACH electric show car in partnership with Gorden Wagener, finalizing both before his November 2021 death.
Q: Is the Virgil Abloh Maybach still available for purchase?
A: All 150 units were sold; the S680 is now available only through private collectors, auctions, and secondary markets.
Q: What engine does the Maybach S680 by Virgil Abloh have?
A: The S680 features a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine producing 612 PS (621 hp) and 900 Nm torque, accelerating 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
Also Read | Monica Raymund’s Dating History: Marriage to Neil Stewart and Life With Tari Segal
