Maybach EQS SUV

Segment
SUV

Last year, you may remember when Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener teamed up with fashion designer and entrepreneur Virgil Abloh to reimagine the G-Class as a race car. Tragically, Abloh passed away this month aged 41 after a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer. With the permission of his family, Mercedes has revealed the last car he helped design: say hello to Project Maybach, a "collaborative electric show car designed to inspire the next generation, and forever question the status quo."

Taking the form of a high-riding electric two-door off-roader, the radical concept looks unlike any other Maybach before it. That's because Abloh collaborated with Gorden Wagener to create a unique design language for the concept.

Despite only having two seats, the massive concept measures nearly 19 feet long. Visually, the two-seater off-road combines signature Maybach design elements like a prominent chrome grille with vertical slats and a two-tone black and tan paint finish with off-road add-ons including chunky off-road wheels, flared fenders, a roof rack, an external rollcage, and round roof-mounted lights. Coupled with a coupe-style roof, the result looks stunning. Solar panels are also located on the elongated hood to increase the car's range, although Mercedes provided any range or performance details.

We're not surprised as this is a show car that won't enter production. Maybach currently doesn't sell any luxury EVs, but this will change when the Mercedes-Maybach EQS previewed by the concept shown in September enters production - but it won't look as good as the Project Maybach.

Instead of being revealed at a private press event, Mercedes is paying tribute to the late artist by showcasing Project Maybach to the public at Rubell Museum in Florida from December 1-2. On December 1, students from local design schools will be offered exclusive access.

"Mercedes-Benz is devastated to hear of the passing of Virgil Abloh," Mercedes 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."