Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition Revealed

The V12 has always been more than an engine. In the right car, it’s a perfect balance of engineering mastery and smooth power. Maybach is a brand that’s defined by the V12 — from the Zeppelin models of the 1930s to the latest generation Maybach S-Class. 

Now, in a world rapidly pivoting toward electrification, the brand is giving the twelve-cylinder one last encore: the Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition. It is based on the Mercedes-Maybach S 680, and only 50 units will be produced.

A V12 Worth Celebrating

At the heart of the V12 Edition is… You guessed it — a V12 engine. This one’s the tried-and-tested 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit that has been around for a while now. In this last hurrah edition, it produces 612hp and 900Nm. Paired with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the car moves with the kind of authority only a V12 can deliver.

It clocks the 0-100km/h run in just 4.5 seconds and will go on to its electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. But this one’s less of a high-rpm screamer and more of a grunty heavyweight with a strong mid-range. Its peak torque is available between 2,000 and 4,000rpm.

MANUFAKTUR Mastery

Maybach’s in-house MANUFAKTUR program gives the V12 Edition its character. The exterior is finished in a striking two-tone scheme: olive metallic on top, obsidian black metallic below, divided by a hand-applied silver pinstripe. Mercedes-Maybach claims the precise process of applying the two-tone paint takes up to 10 working days — twice the time required for a standard Maybach finish. Matching forged wheels and a gold-accented “12” emblem on the C-pillar complete the look, paying tribute to the iconic Zeppelin hood ornament.

The unimitable artistry continues inside the car as well. Saddle brown Nappa leather wraps the seats, doors, and quilted headliner. High-gloss burr walnut stretches across the dash and steering wheel, while the center console carries a handcrafted 24-carat gold inlay. Each detail is painstakingly produced, with some elements requiring up to seven days of manual work. A “1 of 50” badge reinforces the luxury saloon’s exclusivity. Accessories like the silver-plated Robbe & Berking champagne flutes, a bespoke key box, and edition-specific key ring extend the sense of rarity beyond the cabin.

Paying Tribute To The Zeppelin

The Maybach Zeppelin of the 1930s set the benchmark for luxury and innovation in its time. It was the first Maybach with a V12 under the bonnet. It produced up to 200hp and clocked a top speed of 170 km/h. The Zeppelin was described as the ultimate car for both travel and representation, a symbol of elegance and power for royalty and the elite.

The V12 Edition follows in that lineage. It’s not about being the fastest or flashiest saloon on the road. It’s about carrying forward a tradition — one where engineering, design, and exclusivity are inseparable. By linking Zeppelin’s legacy to this modern edition, Maybach is creating a bridge between past and future.

Limited to just 50 examples worldwide, the Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition is more than a car. It’s a collector’s dream, a bold statement of taste, and Maybach’s final salute to one of the most legendary engine layouts in automotive history.

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