Maybach S 680 becomes Australia’s priciest Mercedes

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be joined by two new super-luxury variants in the fourth quarter of this year, after the order books for the S 580L 4MATIC and the even longer-wheelbase Mercedes-Maybach S 680 open in the third quarter.

But the big news is their hefty price tags, which Mercedes-Benz Australia announced today at $329,900 plus on-road costs for the S 580L 4MATIC (about $90K more than the entry-level short-wheelbase S 450 at $240,700) and a cool $565,800 plus ORCs for the Maybach S 680.

That makes the flagship Maybach version of the latest S-Class limousine by far the most expensive Mercedes-Benz model available in Australia – excluding the long-overdue limited-edition Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar, eight of which will go to well-heeled Aussies who paid the best part of $5 million apiece.

Previously, the most expensive full-time Mercedes model on sale in Australia was the S 63 Coupe ($384,335 plus ORCs), followed by the AMG GT 63 S 4-Door ($363,700) and the only other Maybach model available here, the GLS 600 super-SUV ($358,300).

The new Mercedes-Maybach S 680 also eclipses the limited-edition Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro, just 15 of which will come here this year priced at $453,200, although previous limited-edition AMG sports cars have trumped it on price, including the handful of $639K SLS Black Series gullwings that arrived in 2013 and the $680K SL 65 Black Series before that.

Like all new Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousines sold in Australia since the W223 arrived in March, the newly announced S 580L and Maybach S 680 both come standard with 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

But Australia’s first and only Maybach version of the latest S-Class (the S 580 is also available in Maybach-spec in Europe) goes further with an extra 180mm between its axles than even the long-wheelbase S-Class, plus a bullocking twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12.

Mercedes-Benz’s answer to the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur delivers a beefy 463kW of power and 900Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed auto. Naturally, AIRMATIC adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering are also standard.

The extra-long wheelbase guarantees maximum legroom for both rear seat occupants, who are treated to first-class airline-style reclining seats, Rear Comfort Doors with additional powered assistance, MBUX Interior Rear Assistant, high-pile floor mats, Exclusive Nappa designo leather trim and, for the first time, a new seat belt feeder like that seen in two-door coupes and convertibles.

Also pampering rear seat passengers are a rear entertainment installation including a centre-mounted tablet, a rear comfort seat pack and a high-end Burmester 4D surround sound system.

Adaptive Ambient Lighting and the ENERGIZING Pack are also there for front seat occupants, who score a Warmth Comfort Pack including heated seats, arm rests and centre console, while the driver scores a heated multifunction steering wheel with polished woodgrain and Nappa leather.

Of course, TV and DAB+ digital radio tuners are also standard, as is high-gloss black poplar wood interior trim and a centre console in crystal-look black.

On the outside, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC’s bespoke extra-long body is distinguished by a unique grille with narrow vertical bars and 20-inch five-hole forged alloy wheels, plus the option of 21s and exclusive hand-applied two-tone paint finishes with a dividing line.

If your budget only stretches to the long-wheelbase S 580 L 4MATIC you’ll make do with a 370kW/700Nm version of AMG’s M176 twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8.

The return of V8 power to the S-Class comes for the first time with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology including an integrated second-generation starter-alternator that delivers and extra 15kW/200Nm in short bursts.

Riding on a 110mm-longer wheelbase than the entry-level S 450 4MATIC as standard, the S 580L 4MATIC also comes with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed auto and all-wheel drive.

Standard features for Australia include MBUX Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (HUD), Nappa leather upholstery, Active Multi-Contour front seats, insulated glass all round and all-new DIGITAL LIGHT headlights that project 150 metres further than MULTIBEAM LED high-beams.

There are also features previously exclusive to the S 450L, including forward-facing airbags for rear seat passengers and power-adjustable rear seats with memory function.

And of course all of the short-wheelbase S 450’s equipment is standard too, including a 12.8-inch centre OLED touch-screen with a fingerprint scanner, 3D driver’s display, power-assisted door closing, wireless smartphone integration and charging and a sliding glass panoramic sunroof.

Likewise, driver safety aids extend to the Driving Assistance Package with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, plus Traffic Sign Assist, Parking Package with Active Parking Assist and 360-degree camera.

Also standard is a multifunction steering wheel in Nappa leather, the MBUX infotainment system including voice control, a 15-speaker/710-Watt Burmester 3D sound system, MBUX Interior Assistant, Ambient Lighting, dual-zone climate control, powered and heated/cooled front seats and AIRMATIC adaptive suspension.

The options list is still extensive and includes E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL adaptive suspension employing the 48V electrical architecture, and Burmester 4D surround sound with no less than 1750W of output and no fewer than 31 speakers including a subwoofer and eight bass shakers in the seats.

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost?
S 450 4MATIC – $240,700
S 450L 4MATIC – $264,900
S 580L 4MATIC – $329,900
Maybach S 680 4MATIC – $565,800

* Prices exclude on-road costs