For some people, nothing less than 12 cylinders will do. Sure, a twin-turbo V8 or an electric powertrain can provide the same, if not more, acceleration and power, but like I said yesterday when I wrote about that weird Ferrari patent, it’s tough to replicate the silky-smooth delivery and character that comes from a V12 engine, even when it’s meant to be used subtly in an ultra-luxury car.
Because of that, and because emissions regulations have allowed it in some markets, Mercedes-Benz is one of the small handful of manufacturers on the planet that still builds V12s. It and Rolls-Royce are the only two companies that offer a V12 in a sedan, and for 2027, that’s not changing.
Just two months after revealing the new S-Class, Mercedes has come out with a set of top-line Maybach versions; one with a twin-turbo V8, and another with a twin-turbo V12. Because of how few V12s still exist on the new car market, this Maybach is, hilariously, going to be the cheapest 12-cylinder car you can buy. Not that it’ll be cheap.
As before, the Mercedes-Maybach S680 will be the only trim to get the company’s V12. It comes unchanged from the last-gen S-Class, rated at 621 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque thanks to two turbos and six liters of displacement. Power gets to all four wheels via the same nine-speed auto and 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
If you care about 0-60 times in your gigantic limousines, Mercedes even lists an estimated 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds, though I sort of doubt that number. Car and Driver managed to squeeze a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds out of the last-gen V12 Maybach, and since this new one uses the same powertrain, it should be just as quick, depending on how much weight it’s gained. The last car weighed just over 5,300 pounds, but Mercedes hasn’t disclosed the weight for this new car.
As for exterior changes, I spoke a lot about those when the normal 2027 S-Class hit the scene back in January. The grille is 20% bigger than before, and illuminated as standard. The “Maybach” text atop the grille, as well as the Maybach logo on the C-pillar, are illuminated too. If you want, you can even option an illuminated tri-star emblem on the hood. The headlights and taillights are now shaped like Mercedes logos, while Maybach models get 20- or 21-inch forged wheels.
Like most new Mercedes models, the inside of the Maybach S-Class is a screen fest. For what it’s worth, Mercedes tries to differentiate what’s on the screen for the Maybach in an effort to remind you you’re driving the best version of the S-Class. From the release:
The fourth generation MBUX infotainment reimagines the in-car experience with intelligence, clarity and a quiet sense of personal refinement. The new standard MBUX Superscreen unites the 14.4-inch central display and 12.3-inch passenger display beneath a seamless glass surface, from which the 12.3-inch driver display – with standard 3D instrument cluster – rises with a sculptural presence.
In its Maybach form, the driver display design becomes an object of modern craftsmanship. The dials of the instrument cluster glow in rose gold. A gold Maybach emblem rests between the two dials, a subtle signature of meticulous detail. A delicately textured backdrop in gold, rose gold and black sets a tone of quiet opulence, perfectly echoing the signature rose gold white ambient lighting hue.
The back seat is, of course, stuffed to the brim with luxury appointments, including two 13.1-inch entertainment screens, each with their own configurable remote. The rear gets its own climate control, power sunshades, and even integrated cameras for video conferencing. There’s also the newest version of the company’s virtual assistant, which now features generative AI, if that’s something you care about:
The MBUX Virtual Assistant serves as a true conversational companion, integrating artificial intelligence from partners like Microsoft and Google. With multiple AI agents, including ChatGPT 4o, Microsoft Bing Search and Google Gemini, the intelligent assistant enables complex conversations and has short-term memory. Appearing as a “living” avatar on the MBUX Zero Layer, it is represented by the iconic Mercedes star in an exclusive rose gold finish.
While Mercedes hasn’t disclosed a price for the 2027 Maybach S680, the unchanged powertrain means it shouldn’t be much more than the $244,400 asking price of the previous model. While a quarter-million dollars is more than the vast majority of households make in a year, the S680 is, funnily, by far the cheapest way to get into a V12, if you’re buying new. The next-cheapest V12 car, the Rolls-Royce Ghost, starts at $370,750. After that, you have to jump all the way to $436,500 for the cheapest Aston Martin Vanquish. Would I call the Maybach a bargain? In the crooked world of ultra-luxury, maybe.
All of that being said, the lesser, twin-turbo V8-powered Mercedes-Maybach S580 is probably the better car. Based on previous-gen pricing, it should be nearly $40,000 cheaper, and more fuel-efficient, too. The previous S580 could achieve 20 mpg combined, according to the EPA, while the best the V12 could manage was 15 mpg. And unlike the V12, the twin-turbo V8 has been given a few upgrades, including the latest version of Mercedes’ integrated starter-generator mild hybrid tech. While it’s rated at just 530 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, the company estimates the same 4.3-second 0-60 time.
While I’m sure most high-end fleet companies that buy Maybachs to transport rich people around will opt for the V8, I can see normal retail buyers swinging more towards the V12. With BMW’s V12-powered 7-Series and Audi’s A8 W12 long dead, Mercedes is the only game in town with a defining, flagship 12-cylinder offering. I’d love to know: Which one would you pick? Let me know in the comments. I’m curious to see the split between rationality and passion.
Top graphic image: Mercedes-Benz
“Mercedes-Maybach S680 will be the only trim to get the company’s V12…”
No, S 680 GUARD 4MATIC is only Mercedes-Benz model with V12.
“Mercedes has come out with a set of top-line Maybach versions; one with a twin-turbo V8, and another with a twin-turbo V12.”
You forget the six-cylinder version, S 580 e.
PS Mercedes-Benz nomenclature has space between letters and numbers.
I would definitely pick the V12 so I wouldn’t catch shit at the country club for getting the «lesser» engine. These things matter.. I am so poor that I didn’t even realise they still made the Maybach though,so don’t mind me.
…Appearing as a “living” avatar on the MBUX Zero Layer, it is represented by the iconic Mercedes star in an exclusive rose gold finish.
So, Clippy has moved up in the world..
That’s exactly what I was thinking. So I drop all that cash to be driven around and have to interact with a creepy rose gold talking star avatar? Sounds like punishment to me.
I just realised that at 5300lb, the previous gen twin turbo, AWD, long wheelbase, Maybached S Class weighs as much as the new RS5 Avant.
An R2800 couldn’t get me interested in this thing (though the irony of a Luftwaffe-killer in a MB would be amusing if to nobody but me). The interior looks terrible. Like, average not-shitty hotel done up with stuff that looks better than it feels and has no warmth or character. The exterior lighting with the logos and the oversized grille look more Chinese imitator ca 10 years ago or collection of imported Alibaba accessories on a hood Hyundai than high end. Without question, if I was looking for something like this, I’d rather have a restomodded W126 to maybe not quite Singer level, but nicer than this pretends to be. Hell, a bone stock 126 is better than this in every way but safety and (unnecessary) performance.
“…the 12.3-inch driver display – with standard 3D instrument cluster – rises with a sculptural presence.”
So pop-up headlights are an unacceptable safety hazard but it’s totally fine to have all the instruments hidden by a similar complicated mechanism? Huh. Maybe that’s just wordplay and the thing doesn’t move. Also…
“In its Maybach form, the driver display design becomes an object of modern craftsmanship. The dials of the instrument cluster glow in rose gold. A gold Maybach emblem rests between the two dials, a subtle signature of meticulous detail.”
That stuff’s all just digital images, right? It could just as easily be crafted of eels in aspic or ivory collar stays through the magical modern craftsmanship of making choices with computers.
Also also… the onboard AI agent is apparently called “LittleBenz” rather than “DaddyMBUX” or “SmallMercy.” If just making stuff up is how this game is played, M-B is slipping.
I couldn’t tell if they meant that it literally rises, or if it figuratively rises.
Me either. I’d already made the post by the time I thought “D’oh! It probably isn’t actually motorized. They just led with evocative nonsense that I took too seriously!” Thus the edits.
In Star Trek Lower Decks they had an evil avatar, makes me wonder when “Emblemy” decided to turn evil and takes over your massaging seats.
Jack McBrayer as a bad guy… I like it. “Badgey’s an amazing piece of programming, even if he does want to kill us.” Dovetails nicely with the Murderbot show-within-a-show, which had a similar character (although not his).
Brian there are more V12-powered cars on sale right now than there cheap sports cars for sale, they are not in any danger and i worry about your perception of the industry if you think they are.
I know that they’ve been using the MBUX name since 2018 (I assume it’s Mercedes Benz User eXperience), but man it just sounds like a cryptocurrency or something equally stupid.
Also the lil lumbar pillows are hilarious to me. Shouldn’t the rear seats be like 12-way adjustable for support wherever it’s needed? Naw, he’s a pillow for ya.
Yup. That you have nowhere to put if it’s uncomfortable.
Or, and hear me out, you can get a V12 for as little as free.
No lie, during my last visit to my Jag mechanic I mentioned that someday I’d like to own a V12. He took me to the parking lot, pointed out an old Series 3 XJ12 and said “yours for free if you want it”. It only needed $5000+ in work, and I wisely passed on his generous offer.
Neighbor had an r129 sl600 with leaking top actuator hydraulics, sagging air suspension and engine related issues that kept the car from passing the biennial CA smog test. Reached his frustration limit and sold it for $3K on OfferUp.
My uncle’s estate included an E38 750il that had been bricked after an ill-advised attempt to add Bluetooth to the factory stereo. It swiftly got donated to charity. The car was in decent running condition when he got it several years earlier… a much better-heeled business partner got a Lexus and just gave him the Bimmer. This happened in Idaho. I like to imagine that engine living in a rock crawler or swapped into a SkiDoo today.
Anything can be a V12 for pennies on the dollar, if you’re brave enough.
HERE‘s a Ferrari V12 from a Purosangue for only $42K!
HERE‘s a Rolls Royce 6.6L Twin-Turbo V12 for $17K!
Worried about reliability and parts? Then HERE‘s a Toyota Century 1GZ-FE V12 for only $4K!
I saw a 2nd gen Century last year! Had to do a loop around a Starbucks to make sure but damn if it wasn’t beautiful. Love those fender mirrors, to hell with the practicality of them.
“Check the item description to confirm it fits your vehicle” sounds like a challenge
*Looks at 1GZFE*
*Looks at Hartley Engines website*
LFG
As long as both come with backseat pillows, it’s a toss-up for me.
It is the V12 choice for the masses. I saw one at Costco yesterday and the owner was loading his own groceries into the trunk by hand.
Man if I ever get one of these I’m gonna stock the champagne fridge with Kirkland’s finest.
If you are going to make a terrible decision and light money on fire you go all the way. If you are buying one of these you probably have an accountant that can figure out how to write it off anyway. I assume that’s what a lot of those candle and gift stores probably a lot of the art galleries are. They are almost always mechanically totaled in 4 or 5 years anyway. Just buy the yangwang and really live it up. Leave the Maybach in the past where it belongs.
Imagine thinking either of these are considerations for the buyer of this car.
“In its Maybach form, the driver display design becomes an object of modern craftsmanship. The dials of the instrument cluster glow in rose gold. A gold Maybach emblem rests between the two dials, a subtle signature of meticulous detail. A delicately textured backdrop in gold, rose gold and black sets a tone of quiet opulence, perfectly echoing the signature rose gold white ambient lighting hue.”
Ugh. IT’S ALL PIXELS. You can make them do whatever you want. There’s no “craftsmanship”, “meticulous detail” or “quiet opulence” here, just pixels on a screen. At best, it’s a fake representation of craftsmanship. If they displayed Picasso’s “Guernica” on there, would that suddenly make this car worth nine figures? You could literally have Carl Benz farting out the numbers on the speedometer if you wanted to program it to do that. At least that would be entertaining.
But it’s an EXCLUSIVE shader on a 3D model of the Mercedes logo!! Who could possibly contain their unstoppable excitement about that??!
Is there a loot farming location I can grind to get it for free?
But it took a global team of creatives thousands of prompts to get it just right.
No, it didn’t.
Make the car voice Carl Brutananadilewski and I’ll consider a Maybach.
The 2Wycked AMG
And, you can get that exact screen and setup in a 30k used EQS and some Es as well.
That said, Carl Benz farting out speed numbers is exactly the exclusive tech that they should employ here. From opulence to flatulence!
I used a third party app to change some settings on my i3. And then I saw I could change just about everything.
Now my car shows the Spirit of Ecstasy every time I turn it on.
Ah, but what if that Guernica was taken with a special filter and offered as an NFT? Now, we’re talking luxury! (I don’t even know if NFTs are still a thing.)
If a MSRP $40k cheaper and a better fuel economy are things to consider when buying such kind of car as an individual, you should not buy it in first place.
The V8 are for fleets, where those numbers mean better profit. The V12 is the only reasonable choice here.
Pfft, this is a paltry $161,000 in 2010 money. Just skip your morning Starbucks coffee, and you can easily afford it.
Only if you wake up 4:30 AM.
Make your avocado toast at home and you’ll be riding in the Rolls.
Imagine what I could afford if I cancelled my Disney+ membership, too.
I just pencilled it out. I assume it loses half its value in 5 yrs, you’re self insured, and get free gas from the oil company/regional gas station chain you own.
If you can cut your Starbucks budget by $44 (2010 dollars) per day, the car is yours.
As much as I would love to drive a V12 someday, a twin turbo V8 is plenty of engine for me, I’m sure.
Man, they sure know how to make an expensive car look chintzy.
China.
All the thin stripes on black surfaces look like the bedside of a Lincoln Blackwood, and I mean that as negatively as possible.
Rich people like boats so wood that looks yachtworthy seems like a natural fit. Plus pinstripes are slimming and every aspect of this car looks bloated.
Let me put on my marketing-wanker hat: “The larger grille evokes a greater sense of presence. This theming is tastefully continued inside the cabin, gracing the doors, center console, and seatbacks. These touches provide a cohesive and distinct visual styling throughout the vehicle.”
That’s the stuff. You didn’t even have to resort to “artisanal,” “colorway,” or “curated.”
I’m continually shocked at how Maybach’s are always worse-looking than a normal S-Class. I get it, far more luxurious inside and crap, but the grille and trim and two-tone pain just never work for me.
When you realize “Maybach” is German for “Brougham” – it all makes sense.
I think the problem is since it’s a gussied up S Class, we can see it for what it is. If Rolls et al made “budget” models, their two-tone paint and ornamentation would look tacky too. But since there’s nothing to compare them to, their designs work (for ppl in this sort of market).
I usually like two-tone paint, but it somehow it never works for me on Maybachs. Which is fine, because it’s not like I could to afford to even look at one.
The people who can afford these, also won’t mind the fact that gas is as much as $7-8 per gallon in some areas now.
“With gas prices what they are, we just couldn’t justify the V12.”
I think the upper end S-Classes have been the cheapest way to get a V-12 for a long time (maybe undercut a bit by the 7 series?) but certainly the cheapest in the used market. Shame it’s only on the Maybach now, but the top-dog v8 was always the more logical choice anyway.
I think the front of this looks pretty good, minus the illuminated grill. That is unbecoming of an S-class. But I don’t think the Maybach two tone paint works well on the rounded rear end at all.
I think Merc is cheapest on the used market because there are so many more of them. After the 1990s, BMW sort of gave up on competing with Merc in that space, only installing them on the 7-series sedan (and, of course, Rolls). Meanwhile, Mercedes tried to wedge the big engine into however many cars it could.
It’s definately the most plentiful. And they have still always commanded more than the v8s. Last I looked (because I’m a sucker for a heavily depreciated S-Class) the S600s were 3-4X more than an S500. Usually more pricey than the AMGs. But even then still cheaper than the v12 beemers or v10 S8s (which is of course the one you want if you have the coin and the stones).
Haha, yes, though I think the biggest stones are required for anything with a W12 badge.
I’ll take the V12. Wouldn’t want to be disturbed by non-silky smooth power delivery as I sit in the back and sip champagne while discussing the world of corporate finance with AI that is certainly not collecting information from me and passing it on to the corporate overlords.
The ppl sitting in the back ARE the corporate overlords.
I was hoping you wouldn’t catch that.
I’ve always wanted to drive a car with a V12, so that’s the one for me!
I was going to say this might be the most new-money gauche vehicle out there, and then I remembered the Maybach SL’s hood and soft top. It’s cool this still has the V12, but that’s the last nice thing I’ll say about it.