- mercedes has confirmed the return of the v-12-powered maybach s-class, via photos of a new car with "s680" and "v12" badges.
- the 2020 mercedes-maybach s-class offered a twin-turbo v-12 engine, but mercedes hasn't yet shared specs of the new model's v-12 engine.
- this new model will commemorate the 100th anniversary of maybach.
update 5/14/21: mercedes has released new photos that confirm the existence of a maybach s680 model with a v-12 engine. although no specs are available yet, we think that this v-12 will be an updated version of the twin-turbo 6.0-liter engine in the previous maybach s650 with possibly more power.
maybach is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and to commemorate it mercedes is hinting at the return of a v-12–powered s-class. a teaser photo shows the side view of the maybach s-class, and just in front of the front door is a "v12" badge, suggesting 12 cylinders could again find their way under the hood of the s-class.
currently, maybach only has two vehicles on the market: the 2021 gls600 and the 2021 s580. both of those vehicles are motivated by twin-turbo v-8s—the former is just a bit more powerful than the latter—and are assisted by 48-volt hybrid systems. prior to this teaser, mercedes hadn't made any mention of the 2021 maybach s-class getting a v-12. the 2020 maybach s650 had a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter v-12 with 621 horsepower.
despite dropping the teaser image, mercedes has not confirmed any plans for a new s650. rather, in the release with the teaser, the automaker says: "the 100-year anniversary of the first maybach automobile in 2021 will see multiple initiatives that celebrate this spirit come to life."
this story was originally published on april 15, 2021.