Skip to main content

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class special edition honors Robbe & Berking Classics shipyard

Mercedes-Maybach creates a bespoke luxury sedan to honor a restored racing yacht

Direct frontal view of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class inspired by the Robbe & Berking SPHINX 12m racing yacht.
Mercedes-Maybach created a one-off special edition Mercedes-Maybach S-Class 680 in honor of the 150th anniversary of Flensbury, Germany-based silver manufacturer Robbe & Berking. The silver company’s silver-plated champagne goblets are frequently ordered for a rear-seat cooling compartment in the luxurious Mercedes-Maybach sedans.

The bespoke Mercedes-Maybach’s colors match those of a celebrated racing yacht, the Sphinx, restored in 2008 by Robbe & Berking Classics shipyard, a division of the silver company.

Recommended Videos

Why the Maybach S-Class special edition matters

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class inspired by the Robbe & Berking SPHINX 12m racing yacht.
According to Mercedes-Maybach, the special edition sedan honors the two firms’ common values. Mercedes-Maybach’s parent company shows its respect for classic automobiles from the company’s history, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.

“Like the yacht SPHINX, our exclusive Mercedes-Maybach S-Class anniversary vehicle epitomizes craftsmanship, elegance, and attention to detail. We congratulate Robbe & Berking on their anniversary and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration,” said Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach.

Special features for a special car

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and the Robbe & Berking SPHINX 12m racing yacht.The Sphinx is a 12-meter racing yacht built in 1939. Known as the “night-blue beauty” in the yacht racing world, it was the first classic wooden yacht Robbe & Berkings Classics restored. The one-off Mercedes-Maybach colors match the yacht. The upper sections are nautical blue metallic. The car’s lower section is Manufaktur patgonia red bright. A pinstripe in Manufaktur opalite white metallic separates the colors at the Sphinx’s waterline.

The special edition Mercedes-Maybach interior features Nappa leather in crystal white, diamond quilting, and Orion gray decorative stitching. According to Mercedes-Maybach, the gray and white combination evokes sails. The luxury sedan is also built with luxury features such as rear electric comfort doors, high-end surround sound, a rear entertainment system, and a back seat cooling compartment with two Robbe & Berking silver goblets.

The special edition Mercedes-Maybach S 680 is not available for purchase as it has been reserved for a customer.

Bruce Brown
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A Digital Trends Contributing Editor and Contributor for TheManual.com, Bruce Brown writes e-mobility reviews and covers…
1954 F1 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Up for Auction at Sotheby’s: €50M+ Expected
F1 champions Fangio and Moss drove 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R that is up for auction
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen right rear three-quarter view.

Formula 1 collectors have a rare opportunity to bid on a historic racecar driven by two of the 20th century's greatest drivers. RM Sotheby's accepts registration from parties wishing to bid on the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen that F1 five-time World Champion Juan Manual Fangio drove to win the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix.
Why the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen is so special

The W 196 R was the Mercedes-Benz car built for Grand Prix racing when the company returned to racing after World War II. The car's success in the 1955 season design demonstrated the company's resources and readiness to dominate. Different bodywork was used in different races. For example, when Fangio drove the car in Buenos Aires, it had an open-wheel body.

Read more
This is how much the 2025 Mercedes-AMG GT 43 will cost
AMG GT 43 gets pricing for 2025
MB AMG GT 43

Some cars are just instant home runs. When Mercedes-AMG debuted the first AMG GT back in 2014, you didn't have to be a car fanatic to appreciate the stunning good looks or throaty exhaust rumble of the newest member of the always fun Grand Touring market. Fast-forward a little more than a decade, and although we first got to lay eyes on the 2025 AMG GT 43 in March of this year, it was not until recently that pricing was made available to the drooling public.
The 2025 AMG GT 43 will start at $105,900

Despite being considered the "entry-level" model of the AMG GT lineup, the GT 43 has a starting price of $105,900, which does not include any destination or delivery fees.

Read more
Alpine F1 team will use Mercedes power units and gearboxes starting in 2026
With the new agreement, Alpine will be power unit customers, no longer potential suppliers to other teams.
Alpine and Mercedes-AMG F1 race cars.

After Renault's Alpine announced the decision to cease making engines for F1 race cars after 2025, that left open the question of where Alpine's F1 team would turn to source their engines. We now know the answer. Beginning in the 2026 season, Mercedes will supply the power units for Alpine's F1 race car. Mercedes will also supply the gearboxes used in the cars in 2026. The agreement to use Mercedes power units lasts through 2030, but Alpine plans to build and use their own gearbox starting in 2027.
Why Alpine's decision is a big deal
When Alpine disclosed it would cease building engines for F1 cars, it was a sea change for the manufacturer. Alpine and parent company Renault have historically been engine suppliers, providing engines to their F1 team and other teams. With the new agreement, Alpine will be power unit customers, no longer potential suppliers to other teams.
What the power unit supply deal means
The 2025 season will be the last season for the current power units. In 2026, F1 race cars and power units will be subject to next-generation FIA F1 rules and regulations. The new power units will have internal combustion engines that run on 100% biofuels and will use battery power more than the current power units.

Alpine will continue to build F1 engines at its Viry-Chatillon, France division through the end of the 2025 season, after which it will be re-purposed to Hypertech Alpine. Alpine's Enstone, UK division will continue to focus on the F1 race car's chassis.

Read more