350 million won SL 680 Maybach: Splendid Exterior, but Urban Ride Quality is Questionable

Mercedes-Benz's high-end brand Maybach has joined the SL-Class sports car lineup. The 'SL 680 Maybach', which reaches 350 million won, puts forward a rare design, but doubts are being raised regarding its ride quality during urban driving.

Design Points of the 2-Seater Luxury Sports Car

According to the MOTline video, the SL 680 Maybach possesses design elements that differentiate it from the existing SL models. Unlike the existing SL, which had a 4-seater character with a 2+2 structure, this model is configured with a luggage compartment area wrapped in high-end leather in the rear seat position. The design, where the back of the seat bulges out and connects to the body shape, gives the impression from the rear that the vast trunk area continues as a single surface up to the front of the single row of driver seats. The video explains that this provides the feeling of an extraordinary 2-seater luxury sports car.

The identity of Maybach also appears in the exterior details. Full Chrome decorations have been applied to the wide area surrounding the front windshield, and the hood line, which rises higher than the standard SL model, gives the feeling of driving a yacht with a long deck. The 21-inch large-diameter wheels feature the standard shield-shaped wheels, and because the area occupied by the wheels is large compared to the car's height or wheelbase, it creates an impact on the side as well.

Interior and Steering Wheel Capturing the Yacht Sentiment

The interior space is surrounded by high-grade Nappa leather seats throughout the car. The impact of the white ambient light visible in the open-top state during nighttime was also emphasized. Compared to the standard SL 63 model, the diameter of the driver's steering wheel is significantly larger. This is interpreted as an intention to provide an experience as if maneuvering a massive yacht. The digital cluster, which provides a wider field of view, is arranged with Maybach logo patterns. Additionally, the fact that the engine response speed was intentionally slowed down and the exhaust sound was refined reflects a concept aiming for relaxed driving rather than sportiness. The video expressed this by saying, "It feels like they are wearing clothes that are too wonderful but don't suit them."

The Discrepancy Between the Sports Car Platform and Luxury Ride Quality

In terms of driving performance, the SL 680 Maybach controls roll through a hydraulic suspension system that lacks a physical stabilizer. Even in Comfort mode, the ability to quickly catch the body's shaking during cornering shows the performance of a platform already verified through the SL 63 and AMG GT. However, the video pointed out that the ride quality during urban driving is not good. It stated that it lacks the smoothness expected of a luxury car, such as vibrations being sharply transmitted even from minor bumps.

In particular, when the 'Maybach Mode' is set, it intentionally causes more roll to give the feeling that the body is swaying, which was mentioned as a factor that could cause motion sickness by moving side to side. Regarding the movement when crossing speed bumps, the video explained, "It feels like a father looking at a child with such an awkward posture that he has never truly recognized a child before," giving the impression that the suspension has not learned how to handle speed bumps luxuriously.

As a result, the imbalance between the physical capabilities of a sports car and the comfort required by the name Maybach was pointed out. The video raised the question of how it would have been if it had been released as a sporty sports car with the Maybach interior package applied, further enhancing the sportiness possessed by the existing SL or AMG GT.