A big badge, for a rare engine. Despite the electrification strategy and continued threats of production being cancelled, the Mercedes-Benz V12 soldiers on, but it's been downrated in the S680.

Mercedes-Benz is strongly marketing its new fleet of future electric vehicles, but the company still has that V12.

Although all things S-Class and V12-powered were once a point of pride for Mercedes-Benz, electrification has changed much of that.

Official images of the German brand’s new Maybach S680 have been revealed, without much accompanying fanfare or technical detail.

A very bold dual-tone paint finish and garish chrome detailing are the most immediate impressions of this new S680. But what will be of appeal to traditional fans of the three-pointed star, is the powertrain.

It is exceedingly rare to see any ‘V12’ badged adorning the exterior fo a new vehicle, but S680 proudly displays its cylinder count.

The official nomenclature for the 6-litre Maybach might have changed from ‘S650’ to ‘S680’, but don’t expect any increase in engine capacity.

Powering this hugely luxurious German limousine will be the proven M279 engine. Based on a V12 architecture that traces its roots to the 1990s, the 6-litre turbocharged engine has always beenlimited to 1000Nm, to preserve transmission integrity over time.

Although the 6.0-litre V12 might be a legacy engine, in its last application, it does feature some interesting details. Power peaks at 456kW, which won’t be an unfamiliar figure to Mercedes-Benz brand fans.

Where things are a bit different, is the maximum torque value which has dropped by 100Nm.

The Maybach S680’s engine only produces 900Nm of torque, as opposed to the 1000Nm that almost all Mercedes V12s of the last decade and a bit were rated at.

Why has Mercedes-Benz reduced the engine’s peak torque delivery? The complication of a new drivetrain is to blame, with the 6.0-litre V12 now being all-wheel drive and usinga 9-speed transmission.

Less torque. More traction. A strange final chapter, for the Mercedes-Benz V12 project.

The V12 refuses to die and Mercedes-Benz has quietly launched it inthe S680.

Further Reading

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2021) Specs & Price

Audi RS6 Avant vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S – Drag race and rolling race

2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Brings New Levels of Luxury