Wild Project Maybach concept unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a very special tribute to American fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who passed away on the weekend, in the form of this extravagant Project Maybach concept.

The off-road themed Maybach limousine was the second design collaboration between Abloh and Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener, following last year’s Project Geländewagen.

On display at the Rubell Museum in Miami, Florida for a limited time, the fanciful two-seat off-road electric coupe is described by Mercedes as a concept car that “exemplifies the possibilities of future design”. 

Said to be designed from scratch, the fully electric and off-road ready two-door coupe rides on huge off-road wheels and a very large footprint, measuring up at almost six metres in length.

Pushing the boundaries of function, style and collaborative creativity, Mercedes-Benz says Project Maybach is inspired by the great outdoors and recontextualising a traditionally urban brand within a distinctly off-road environment.

It certainly stands out, with a host of circular LED lights up front, heavily flared guards, a long and swooping bonnet and some pretty gnarly underbody protection.

Inside, there’s a combination of retro-modern design, with a minimalist yet funky cabin finished in matching tan upholstery. There also appears to be an axe integrated into the driver’s door jamb, emphasising its adventure-readiness.

“Mercedes-Benz is devastated to hear of the passing of Virgil Abloh,” the brand said in a statement.

“Our sincere thoughts are with Virgil’s family and teams. Now opening the world of our collaboration, and Virgil’s unique vision, to the public we want to respectfully celebrate the work of a truly unique design talent, who created endless possibilities for collaboration through his unbridled imagination and inspired all that knew his work.”