Few things command respect like the velvet sledgehammer that is a V12 engine. For over a century, the twelve-cylinder powerplant has been the beating heart of the most opulent and powerful vehicles on the planet. Now, as the industry pivots towards a new electric era, Mercedes-Maybach is giving this legendary engine the send-off it deserves. Revealed to a select audience of VIPs and press at the historic Fort Michelangelo in Italy, the Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition is a jaw-dropping tribute to a glorious past and the absolute pinnacle of modern automotive craftsmanship.
Limited to an incredibly scarce 50 examples worldwide, this special edition S-Class isn’t just a car; it’s a rolling testament to the Maybach legacy. It’s a final, triumphant roar for the iconic V12, a celebration of handcrafted artistry, and a collector’s item from the moment it was announced. As Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach, puts it, “The Mercedes‑Maybach V12 Edition is a limited release of just 50 cars, showcasing the brand’s legacy. With roots tracing back to the early 20th century Maybach Zeppelin models, this edition celebrates our iconic V12 engine”.
Echoes of the Zeppelin: A Century of V12 Supremacy
To understand the V12 Edition, you have to look back. The Maybach name has been synonymous with bespoke luxury and engineering prowess since the 1920s, guided by the simple yet profound credo of its founders, Wilhelm and Karl Maybach: “Creating only the best from the best, of lasting value, in the highest form of perfection”.
The cornerstone of this legacy was the V12 engine. In the early 1930s, Maybach introduced the first series-produced 12-cylinder engine in the legendary Maybach Zeppelin. This was a machine that defined an era of travel for the elite. A 1934 sales brochure described it as “the ultimate automobile of wish fulfilment, characterized by distinguished elegance and power”. Its colossal V12 engine, displacing seven or eight litres, produced up to 200 hp (147 kW) and could reach speeds of 170 km/h, a staggering figure for the time. The Zeppelin was not just a car; it was a statement of power, comfort, and status.
The Heart of a Modern Masterpiece
Fast forward nearly a century, and that same DNA powers the new V12 Edition, albeit with a monumental leap in performance. At the heart of this Mercedes-Maybach S 680 lies a masterpiece of modern engineering: a perfectly balanced 6.0-litre (5,980 cc) V12. This twin-turbocharged leviathan generates a colossal 612 hp (450 kW) and a tarmac-wrinkling 900 Nm of torque, available from just 2,000 rpm.
All that power is channelled through a silky-smooth 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and a 4×4 all-wheel-drive system, resulting in acceleration that utterly defies the car’s size and opulence. It rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds, delivering what Mercedes calls “power reimagined – smooth, responsive and endlessly exhilarating”. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but the journey there is one of serene, unstoppable force. This isn’t raw, noisy power; it’s a quiet, confident symphony of mechanical perfection that ensures every journey is an event.
MANUFAKTUR Magic: Artistry in Every Detail
What elevates the V12 Edition from a powerful luxury saloon to a piece of automotive art is the extensive involvement of the MANUFAKTUR program—Mercedes’ in-house division for ultimate personalisation. MANUFAKTUR combines generations of artisanal skill with cutting-edge technology to create features that are simply breathtaking.
The exterior is finished in a striking two-tone paint scheme: MANUFAKTUR olive metallic on the upper body and obsidian black metallic below. The two colours are separated by a delicate hightech silver metallic pinstripe. Applying this flawless finish is a painstaking process that can take up to 10 working days, twice as long as even the usual Maybach two-tone paintwork.
The true centrepiece, however, is the edition-specific emblem on the C-pillar. Here, the classic Maybach double-M logo is enhanced with a chrome and solid 24-carat gold medal. This medal features a prominent “12,” a direct tribute to the iconic hood ornament of the original Maybach Zeppelin DS 8. The 24-carat gold ring is intricately engraved with a 12-part diamond pattern, while the gold inlay features a fine V-pattern, symbolising the engine’s cylinder arrangement. It’s a small detail that speaks volumes about the car’s heritage and exclusivity.
A Cabin of Unparalleled Opulence
Stepping inside the V12 Edition is to enter a sanctuary of handcrafted luxury. The entire cabin is swathed in MANUFAKTUR exclusive saddle brown Nappa leather, perfectly complemented by high-gloss brown burr walnut wood trim that even extends to the handcrafted steering wheel. The roof liner continues the theme with diamond-quilted saddle brown leather, while special edition embroidery and a “1 of 50” badge on the centre console serve as constant reminders of the car’s rarity.
The rear console features another golden inlay, where the Maybach emblem and its commemorative “12” medal are framed by twelve golden circles. This single piece demands up to seven working days of meticulous handcraftsmanship to create. Of course, all this artistry is paired with state-of-the-art technology. Features like active road noise compensation, E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension, rear-axle steering, and the intuitive MBUX system with up to five OLED screens ensure the V12 Edition defines modern comfort and convenience.
The Ultimate Collector’s Package
Ownership of a V12 Edition extends beyond the car itself. Each of the 50 owners will receive a set of bespoke accessories, including silver-plated champagne flutes from the renowned German silversmith Robbe & Berking, complete with edition-specific engraving. The package also includes a key gift box handcrafted in the MANUFAKTUR facility, a custom key ring, and a trunk mat edged in saddle brown to perfectly match the interior.
A Fitting Farewell to a Legend
The Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition is more than just another limited-run model. It is a poignant and powerful farewell to one of the most significant engines in automotive history. In an age of downsizing and electrification, this car stands as a monument to a bygone era of glorious excess and engineering bravado. It masterfully blends the rich heritage of the Maybach Zeppelin with the pinnacle of modern technology and the unparalleled artistry of the MANUFAKTUR program.
Available in select markets from autumn 2025, all 50 examples are undoubtedly spoken for, destined for the world’s most discerning car collections. The Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition is the final, perfect note in the long and beautiful symphony of the twelve-cylinder engine – a golden finale for a true automotive legend.
