At a time when most luxury brands are either downsizing or going fully electric, Mercedes-Benz just confirmed something that feels almost out of place. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is still offering its iconic V12 engine. That's pretty exciting on its own, but this update goes further than just keeping an old engine alive. Mercedes reworked both powertrains, introduced an entirely new operating system, and pushed the Maybach deeper into ultra-custom territory with more personalization than ever before. While the V12 remains as a sort of ode to the past, the rest of the new Maybach S-Class is very clearly moving toward the future. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Is The Last V12 Luxury Sedan Still Standing 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class front 3/4 viewThe Maybach S 680 is still powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, and it hasn’t been scaled back to justify its existence. It still delivers 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic and standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive. In a segment where V12s have almost completely disappeared, that alone makes it stand out. This table shows the split in the lineup. The V8 is doing the work for the future with hybrid assist and efficiency, while the V12 is still there purely for presence and power.Mercedes is also limiting where this engine is offered, keeping it available in markets like the U.S. while other regions phase it out entirely. That makes this feel less like a carryover and more like a deliberate decision to keep one of the last traditional luxury powertrains alive. Performance-wise, it still moves in a way that doesn’t match its size. An estimated 0–60 mph time of 4.3 seconds puts it in line with many smaller performance sedans, even though it is still a full-size flagship built around comfort first. The New Electrified V8 Shows Where This Is Headed Mercedes-MaybachSitting right below it is the version that probably represents the future of the lineup. The Maybach S 580 now uses a heavily reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with mild-hybrid assistance. It produces 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, with an integrated starter-generator providing extra boost and smoothing power delivery. The system also supports energy recuperation, making it more efficient without changing how the car feels from behind the wheel.Mercedes-MaybachThere’s also a lot happening underneath that supports that shift. Mercedes updated the AIRMATIC air suspension with predictive damping that can read the road ahead using Car-to-X data and adjust in real time. The goal isn’t sharper handling, it’s making sure passengers don’t feel anything they don’t have to. It's interesting to take a look at the bigger picture: the V12 is still here, but the engineering effort is clearly going into electrification, refinement, and software-assisted performance. This Cabin Is Still Built Around The Rear Seat Mercedes-MaybachInside is where Maybach continues to separate itself, and this update leans even harder into that. The rear seats are still the priority, with full executive recline functions, massage programs, and dedicated controls that let passengers adjust nearly everything without involving the driver. The center console has been redesigned to include a refrigerated compartment, along with those signature silver-plated champagne flutes, now integrated more cleanly into the layout.Mercedes-MaybachRear passengers also get two 13.1-inch displays with new removable control units. You can run media, adjust climate settings, control sunshades, or even take video calls directly from the back seat. It’s essentially a mobile office or lounge, depending on how you use it. Even the small details have been pushed further. Ambient lighting now uses nearly 200 LEDs with dozens of color options, including Maybach-specific tones like rose gold and amethyst. Everything is designed to feel calm, controlled, and isolated from the outside world. Mercedes Turned Maybach Into A Software-Driven Car Mercedes-MaybachThis is the first Maybach to run Mercedes’ new MB.OS system, and it changes how the entire car functions. The new MBUX Superscreen stretches across the dash, combining a 14.4-inch central display, a passenger display, and a digital instrument cluster into one continuous layout. But the real shift is behind it. The system is built to support full over-the-air updates across the entire vehicle, not just the infotainment system.Mercedes-MaybachThe AI assistant is also much more advanced. It draws on ChatGPT, Google, and Microsoft systems, allowing it to handle more natural conversations and more complex requests. It also has short-term memory, so it can respond in a way that feels contextual rather than scripted. This might be a controversial change to some, so we'll see how well received it is. Mercedes also added a new computing architecture with enough processing power to support future features. That includes advanced driver assistance systems like MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO and upcoming features like CITY PRO are expected to expand over time. This is where the car really changes. Maybach used to be defined by materials and ride quality, but now software is just as important to the experience. Design And Customization Go Much Further Than Before Mercedes-MaybachFrom the outside, the changes are subtle but make sense in the context of the car. The grille is larger and now illuminated, along with the Maybach script and surrounding elements. Even the hood ornament and C-pillar badges can be lit, adding more presence without changing the car's overall shape. Lighting details have also been updated, including rose gold accents inside the headlamps and redesigned taillights that mirror the front-end pattern. New wheel designs include 20- and 21-inch forged options, some with a floating Mercedes star that stays upright while driving.Mercedes expanded its MANUFAKTUR program significantly, now offering more than 150 exterior colors and over 400 interior combinations. That includes new wood trims, such as herringbone-patterned amber wood, along with new leather colors and stitching options. For buyers at this level, it’s no longer about picking a spec, but more about building something that feels completely individual. Why This Might Be One Of The Last Chances To Buy One Mercedes-MaybachThe V12 is still here, but everything around it points in a different direction. Regulations are tightening, electrification is becoming the standard, and Mercedes is already investing heavily in EV platforms and hybrid systems. The new V8 and the shift toward software-driven features make that clear. That’s what makes the Maybach S 680 stand out. It’s not just another version of the same car, it’s one of the last ways you can still buy a new V12 luxury sedan, with all the refinement and presence that used to define this segment. And based on where the rest of the industry is heading, it’s hard to see that option sticking around much longer.
