Virgil Abloh and Mercedes-Maybach's Final Chapter

The next, and final, iteration of Mercedes-Maybach's creative partnership with the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh launches today with a limited-edition S-Class car and capsule collection. Having released the Project MAYBACH solar-powered show car during Miami Design Week last year, just 150 models have been made available, alongside a ready-to-wear collection created with Abloh's label OFF-WHITE.

Described as the 'ultimate legacy car', the Project MAYBACH is a tribute to Abloh's multifarious talents which spanned architecture, art, fashion and design. It marks the designer's third project with Mercedes-Benz, (which has also previously produced Project Geländewagen) and is the second time he has worked with Mercedes–Maybach, which launched the Project MAYBACH show car design.

Created with the Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener, Project MAYBACH's final chapter is one of the last designs which Abloh oversaw before his death in November 2021. The two-tone colours of sand and black which make up the car body, are mirrored throughout the accompanying capsule. Look closer and you'll find a unique Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo.

Those lucky enough to be able to purchase one of the cars will also receive a 1/18 scale replica of the car and car cover. Meanwhile, the capsule collection will be more widely available through the online retailer Farfetch. It includes vintage washed t-shirts, cotton fleece crewnecks, hoodies and baseball caps. Of course, there's also some racing gloves in the mix.

'I’m incredibly proud of the work we have created in collaboration with Virgil. From Project Gelaendewagen, which set the benchmark for fashion/automotive collaborations with our iconic G-Class, to Project MAYBACH which brought the distinguished Mercedes-Maybach heritage into the future, together with Virgil we truly broke new ground. The limited edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh exemplifies the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmanship now available on the road', Wagener said in a statement.

The collaboration is part of a wider move by Mercedes-Benz to evolutionise to become more sustainably innovative. Mercedes-Maybach will launch their first fully-electric car next year, and Mercedes-Benz are incorporating the recycling process into their production to reduce their environmental impact.