A SELDOM seen car brand is set to release a luxurious sports convertible in a bid to rival the likes of Ferrari and Bentley. Little-known ultra-premium marque Maybach, which is a sub brand of Mercedes, has revealed an upcoming drop top motor at the Monterey Car Week in California, dubbed "the sportiest model in the Maybach brand's history". The high-class marque previously made reworkings of the S-Class limousine and GLS SUV, while Maybach's first EV is based on the Mercedes EQS SUV.
Produced around the standard Mercedes SL, the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series will offer a couple two-tone liveries with black over red or white, although the stylish motor can be finished in other colours "upon specific customer request". Other small differences can be found, include a distinctive chrome front with a fin running the length of the bonnet which can be optionally decorated with the 'Maybach pattern'. The headlights feature a rose-gold detailing, while the windscreen surround is finished in chrome along with the side sills Read more Motors News Naturally, the interior is finished in crystal-white nappa leather, while the seats are trimmed with a bespoke floral pattern.
In terms of power, the SL 680 Monogram Series will keep the base 4.0-litre biturbo V8 from the standard Merc SL63 - capable of 577bhp. According to Merc, the SL63 is capable of around 196 mph.
Mercedes have yet to reveal the pricing or availability of the upcoming Maybach motor - although their versions of the S-Class and EQS SUV are each priced around £200,000. Most read in News Motors Maybach are known to command a significant premium over their Merc counterparts, while the current range-topping SL already costs nearly £200k. In comparison, Ferrari offer the Roma Spider - priced at around £210,000 - while Bentley's upcoming Continental GTC will come with a price tag of £259k.
Fans of convertible sports cars might favour the stylish Saab 9-3 - which can be picked up for under £5,000. Elsewhere, a fast Ford that's been kept in storage for 21 years is going up for sale at an upcoming auction - with just 16 miles on the clock..
