Mercedes unveiled the concept of Project Maybach on December 1-2 at the Rubell Museum in Miami, a crossover coupe made with the help of fashion designer Virgil Ablof who passed away on November 28th.
The Project Maybach concept was designed by Gorden Wagener, head of design at Daimler, and Virgil Ablof, Louis Vuitton’s creative director, who passed away on November 28 at the age of 41 due to a rare form of heart cancer.
A design unlike anything that has been developed by Mercedes-Benz, every element of Project Maybach has been built from scratch. Abloh has interpreted Mercedes-Maybach’s luxury identity with a new design language and pushed the boundaries of function, style, and collaborative creativity. Inspired by the great outdoors and recontextualizing a traditionally urban brand within a distinctly off-road environment, the 2-seater, battery-electric off-road coupe combines huge Gran Turismo proportions, large off-road wheels and distinctive attachments.
A unique element is the transparent hood provided with solar panels. This is not only a design element but also has the role of increasing range with the help of solar energy.
Typical for Maybach, the concept is painted in two colors: black on the roof and on the rear and beige on the side. In front we find the imposing LED-lit Maybach grille that is perfectly vertical. Headlights in the shape of light rings make us think of Bentley.
With a length of six meters, Project Maybach is a car of contrasts by the way in which naturally authentic Mercedes-Maybach design elements are harmoniously combined with a new Outdoor Adventure design motif.
The interior is covered in a beige upholstery and has only two seats. There is also an ax inscribed Maybach on the driver’s door panel. The interior is quite minimalist with a central digital screen and classic natural metal buttons that contrast elegantly with the beige upholstery. There is so much space inside that the seats can be stretched.
