Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto
  3. News

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

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

By

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
Bruce Brown
Former Contributing Editor
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce… Read Full Bio
Topics
Auto
Michael Jordan’s 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello Hitting Auction Block After Decades-Long Search
Car, Coupe, Sports Car

On May 29, 1997, Michael Jordan had a Ferrari 550 Maranello delivered to him. It was a match made in heaven: a renowned supercar for the greatest basketball player of all time. At the time, Jordan was on a quest to win his fifth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls. Less than a month later, he accomplished the feat. Hours after claiming his fifth NBA title on June 13, 1997, Jordan was seen in the bowels of United Center, sitting in his Ferrari, with a cigar in hand. Photographers followed him as he smiled for the cameras while he sat behind the wheel: Rosso Barchetta over tan leather, chrome Speedline wheels, and an Illinois plate that read “MJ 5.”

The Ferrari 550 Maranello was a landmark for the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, marking its return to the front-engined V12 — a two-seat berlinetta with a gated manual, the configuration that made the marque’s name, revived after more than two decades away. The Ferrari was a constant presence as he geared up for his sixth NBA title and his second three-peat. He drove the car to home games, practices, and public appearances.

Read more
Auto
Honda Just Hid a Superbike Engine Inside a 1980s Time Machine
Helmet, Adult, Male

In the late 70s and early 80s, legendary racer Freddie Spencer rocketed around circuits, capturing AMA Superbike titles and exhibiting the smooth, precise style he became known for. But just as important were the bikes he did it on — production-based Honda CB750s and 900s, looking as much like street bikes as racing machines. No windscreen, upright bars, and a bulging, muscular fuel tank. It was truly production-based racing.

That era of Honda CB motorcycles had the rare combination of street presence and race-worthy performance — icons of an era gone by. But Honda didn’t forget. The new CB1000F hearkens back to AMA Superbike’s golden age, while looking ahead with modern tech and street-worthy style. Here’s what makes this bike a compelling design. 

Read more
Auto
Here are the three Cadillac drops you missed at Monterey Car Week
Car, Coupe, Sports Car

If you are a gearhead, or just a car guy in general, then you know that last week (like every year around this time) the car world descended on California for Monterey Car Week. It is an opportunity to check out some of the best of the best that is hitting the market this year. And, also, a really great opportunity to just stare at beautiful vehicles, both old and new. Of course, one of the most storied and luxurious car manufacturers in the country is always ready to make a splash, and luckily for their fans, Cadillac showed up with something special to show off. They created the optimum day-to-day ride, the best date night or evening ride, and then the completely impractical but equally badass machine.

Here are the three big moments for Cady lovers that landed at Monterey Car Week.

Read more