Mercedes-Benz and Virgil Abloh Luxury Off-Roader – Project Maybach

The Mercedes-Maybach electric off-road coupé, in collaboration with entrepreneur Virgil Abloh under the banner of Project Maybach, already has many touting it as (arguably) the most luxurious off-roader around. The collaboration with Virgil Abloh might not seem as unusual as you might think; Abloh clearly had a good grasp of design and excelled as Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton from 2018, swiftly being elevated to a position of more responsibility and influence as a result. In fact, Time magazine listed Abloh as one of 100 most influential people of 2018. He was also a trained architect. Sadly, while Abloh died in November last year at the young age of 41, this collaborative team effort has produced a vehicle that will surely elevate his status even more.

At 6 metres long, the Maybach might not be the most obvious donor vehicle that springs to mind when you think of off-road conversions, but the Project Maybach reveal is a more rugged coupé concept that certainly dazzles. Abloh and Mercedes had been working together on the 2-seater electric off-roader for some time, and the result, rebuilt from the ground up, is pretty eye catching. The Mercedes-Abloh off-roader has oversized alloys clad in huge off-road tyres and features 8 spotlights. It comes equipped with an external roll-cage for safety and even a solar panel which sits under a transparent bonnet lid to soak up the sun’s energy.

Inside, the Maybach oozes luxury and quirkiness in its predominantly sand colourway; it includes a giant compass to remind you to keep an eye on where you actually are, and a colour-matched axe of all things (emergency use only). If you are on a long overnight off-road trip, then the two seats can even be folded back into two beds – there’s certainly enough room in the Maybach. It even has a glass roof so you won’t feel too claustrophobic and can do some star watching before sleep gets you. An overnighter doesn’t sound all that bad, does it?

Mercedes has said that this latest luxury EV concept vehicle is a design style of which Mercedes-Benz has never indulged in before and that it is simply inspired by the ‘great outdoors’. While Mercedes hasn’t revealed any details regarding the Project Maybach concept’s powertrain, they do say that the solar panels will, naturally enough, increase the range.  

Abloh was also Chief Executive Officer of Milan-based fashion house, Off-White; a label that he founded in 2013. And to coincide with the Project Maybach launch, Off-White is launching a complimentary series of sand coloured clothing to match the Maybach’s paint scheme. All products will feature Maybach badging and logos.   

Images: Mercedes-benz.com