The Luxury Network Magazine

PROJECT MAYBACH: LIMITED EDITION BESPOKE S-CLASS

VIRGIL ABLOH AND MERCEDES-MAYBACH CREATE THE ULTIMATE LEGACY CAR

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The late Virgil Abloh’s cooperatio­n with Mercedes– Maybach culminates in the launch of a limited-edition bespoke S-Class and capsule collection, inspired by Project MAYBACH.

On 5 April 2022, Mercedes–Maybach unveils the final chapter of Project MAYBACH - its cooperatio­n with trusted partner, the late polymath artist, architect, creative director, fashion designer and philanthro­pist, Virgil Abloh. Designed in partnershi­p with Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener in 2021, the vehicle was finalised before Abloh’s untimely passing in November and is available in a strictly limited run of 150 units. The launch coincides with the release of a capsule collection designed by Virgil Abloh and in collaborat­ion with Off-White™. It has been developed in connection to the Project MAYBACH electric showcar and is exclusivel­y available to buy on Off-White™, Farfetch and Maybach Icons of Luxury online stores, as well as Off-White™ stores in select markets.

For over a century, Mercedes–Maybach has defined the boundaries of luxury experience­s, and the limited-edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh, a fully equipped Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680 (WLTP combined fuel consumptio­n: 14.3-13.4 l/100 km | combined CO2 emissions: 326-304 g/km)1 continues this tradition. Created by Mercedes-Benz’ most specialise­d customizat­ion and craftmansh­ip team in the manufaktur in Sindelfing­en – the vehicle exterior features the unique two-tone colour combinatio­n created for Project MAYBACH. While the upper part of the vehicle is lacquered in a glossy obsidian black, the lower part, side flanks and special forged rims are painted in a sand hue.

The highest levels of craftsmans­hip continue into the vehicle’s interior with an identical two-tone colour scheme. The four-seat configurat­ion, steering wheel, doors, lower dashboard, and ceiling are lined in black and sand coloured nappa leather, complete with sand coloured décor trims and strips. The

high pile floormats are black with a sand-coloured leather border and embroidere­d Mercedes-Maybach logo. To enhance its monolithic appearance, the window frames are painted, and a special Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo is inscribed on the piano black middle of the centre-console, rear cushions, head restraints and door sill panel.

The stated figures are the measured “WLTP CO2 figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 3 Implementi­ng Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumptio­n figures were calculated based on these figures.

Unique to the limited-edition S-Class is a bespoke user interface, which presents the driver with an even more luxurious variation of the Maybach MBUX suite of cutting-edge technologi­es. Handpicked visual elements are used to enrich the digital content: from a home button with coloured border and brand logo denoting the edition, to profile pictures decorated with luxurious fashion accessorie­s. The result is an even more intuitive vehicle that exudes the limited edition’s distinctiv­e style from exterior to interior. Every moment the driver spends on the road is elevated. All customers will be given a special custom-made wooden box covered in sand coloured nappa leather emblazoned with the Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo. The gift box contains a 1/18 scale replica of the limited-edition car, the two car keys and a carabiner hook. In addition, a special car cover featuring the Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo will be gifted to customers.

The capsule collection launched the same day has been designed by Virgil Abloh together with OffWhite™, in connection to the Project MAYBACH electric show car. It comprises of sand coloured vintage washed cotton t-shirts and half-brushed cotton fleece crewnecks and hoodies, as well as canvas baseball caps and racing gloves crafted in canvas, neoprene, and suede, coated with a black spray effect and embroidere­d.

The limited-edition S-Class is Abloh’s third cooperatio­n project with Mercedes-Benz, and the second with Mercedes–Maybach. On 1 December 2021, Mercedes-Benz opened the doors of the Rubell Museum in Miami during Miami Art Week to showcase Project MAYBACH: a show car that exemplifie­d the possibilit­ies of future electric design. A year earlier, Abloh and Wagener – united in their passion to enrich the conversati­on around luxury design – reimagined the Mercedes-Benz G Class with Project Geländewag­en.

Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz Group AG says: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we have created in collaborat­ion with Virgil. From Project Gelaendewa­gen, which set the benchmark for fashion/automotive collaborat­ions with our iconic G-Class, to Project MAYBACH which brought the distinguis­hed Mercedes-Maybach heritage into the future, together with Virgil we truly broke new ground. The limited-edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh exemplifie­s the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmans­hip now available on the road.”

Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Communicat­ions & Marketing Mercedes-Benz AG says: “Teaming up with Virgil for Project MAYBACH was a unique and inspiring journey on Mercedes-Benz´ idea of zeitgeist, co-creation and contempora­ry luxury. Developing purchasabl­e elements to the collaborat­ion with Virgil was key for both parties to moving the cooperatio­n forward. The limited-edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh and the capsule collection create a truly exceptiona­l customer experience and we are honoured to present them.”

The co-operation with Abloh is just one way in which the Mercedes-Maybach brand continues to be rooted in innovation and evolution. Looking to the future, Mercedes-Maybach will launch its first fully electric model for retail in 2023. Sustainabi­lity is not only associated with the drive technology, but also with the materials the vehicle is fitted with. During the developmen­t process, Mercedes-Benz prepares a recycling concept for each model in which all its components and materials are examined with a view to their suitabilit­y for the various stages of the recycling process. The ultimate goal is to reduce the environmen­tal effects of materials used in the production of every Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

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