“Drivable Art”: the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Haute Voiture

Inspiring haute fashion, the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Haute Voiture is a limited-edition model. The Haute Voiture’s inside is specially equipped with bouclé fabric and other accents to match its exceptional two-tone paint job.

When the 2023 S680 Haute Voiture sales begin in the first few months of that year, just 150 units will be available. The 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Haute Voiture is a version of the luxurious Maybach S-class influenced by fashion shows. Mercedes has confirmed that it will put its Haute Voiture idea into production after teasing the “drivable art piece” earlier this year. After a Dubai fashion presentation, the new limited edition was shown to the public.

More of a Trend than Ever

The Haute Voiture is easily distinguished from any other Maybach S680 because of its unique two-tone paint job, which consists of metallic marine blue on top and rose gold on the bottom. All of its big monoblock wheels are blue to match the body. While I believe the color scheme is attractive, I can see how such a style might split opinions in the world of style.

Like the standard Maybach-branded S-class, the limited-edition S680 has chrome exterior detailing and a large Mercedes-Benz hood ornament. There is additional figurative and physical baggage that comes along with the Haute Voiture. Because Maybach will also be selling a line of handbags crafted from the same materials used in the car’s cabin, there will only be a certain amount of bags available.

Like the Maybach S680, the Haute Voiture’s inside is lined with bougie bouclé, and it has a vast front-mounted MBUX infotainment screen and rear-facing lounge seating for two. Mercedes dresses up the MBUX system with Haute Voiture-themed graphics for the event, including rose gold highlights and “sparkling glitter clouds” (yes, really). In addition, there are 12 unique avatars decked up in designer duds to choose from.

The yarns that makeup bouclé are woven into a cloth. It has a striking appearance and may be seen on the door panels and seats of the Haute Voiture. The design has a range of gold tones together with blue and beige. A stylish pattern that would not be out of place on a designer purse is also included on the headliner. There are a set of champagne flutes with a rose gold finish and floor mats made of linen and mohair (a yarn spun from goat hair) inside the vehicle.

Premium Status In All Respects

Like standard Maybach S680 cars, the Haute Voiture is equipped with all-wheel drive and a 6.0-liter V-12 with twin turbochargers that provide 621 horsepower. The Mercedes-Maybach S580 we drove with 496 horsepower from its V-8 engine reached 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds, so the V-12-powered version should do the same in under 4 seconds. True fashion doesn’t care how fast the models can run to the end of the runway; instead, it cares more about how the models present themselves while running. A total of just 150 of the S680 Haute Voiture will be made available for purchase when it debuts in early 2023, as is customary for items considered to be “high fashion” (also known as “haute couture”). Mercedes hasn’t said how much more expensive the Maybach version would be than the base S680 (which begins at $230,050), but it’s safe to assume it will be much more.