Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Special Edition Pays Tribute To Virgil Abloh

Apr. 05, 2022 7:00 AM ET by Sebastian Cenizo Special Editions / 5 Comments

The Off-White designer lives on in a unique creation he helped design.

Back in September 2020, the late, great Virgil Abloh revealed a unique Mercedes-Benz G-Class that he had helped design. Sadly, the fashion icon died of cancer last year, aged 41, but his impact on culture and design will never be forgotten, especially not since Project Maybach, the last car Abloh helped design, was revealed in memoriam. That exciting, solar-powered concept car was introduced in December last year but as it turns out, Abloh had actually signed off on one more custom creation called the Maybach by Virgil Abloh, "a specially curated 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S 680."

Mercedes-Maybach calls this the final chapter of Project Maybach, and just 39 units of the limited edition will be made available in the US later this year.

Like Project Maybach, the Maybach by Virgil Abloh was designed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Group's head of design, Gorden Wagener. The creation was signed off on in 2021, before Abloh's untimely death in November, and will be created "by the specialized customization and craftsmanship team at Mercedes-Benz Manufaktur in Sindelfingen," so you can be assured of outstanding quality and impeccable attention to detail. Along with a special color scheme, this limited-run special also boasts a unique, personalized user interface with redesigned graphics for a little more of that elusive cool factor.

Obsidian Black characterizes the top half of the vehicle while the lower portion, side flanks, and special forged rims are painted in a sand hue. Inside, the four-seat configuration is trimmed in Nappa leather with high-piled floor mats boasting leather edges. Even the window frames are painted for a special feel, while Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logos adorn the Piano Black center console as well as the rear cushions, headrests, and door sill panels.

Along with the car, "all customers will receive a special custom-made wooden box covered in sand-colored Nappa leather emblazoned with the Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo." Therein, lucky buyers will find a 1:18 scale replica of the car, two car keys, and a carabiner hook. Finally, a specially designed car cover with the MM and Virgil Abloh logo is the cherry on top.

Alongside the special-edition Maybach, Mercedes has also revealed a new capsule collection launching today with Mercedes-Maybach and Off-White branded clothing items that are meant to match Project Maybach. Naturally, this was designed by Abloh too and seems like a fitting way to close the third and final chapter of Abloh's partnership with Mercedes.

As for pricing, nothing has been made public yet, but we're not expecting a bargain here; the regular Maybach S costs over $200,000 in top trim, and this model will surely be pricier still.