Mercedes-Benz Project Maybach pays tribute to Virgil Abloh

KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its final collaboration with fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who passed away a few days back. Dubbed as Project Maybach, the electric off-road coupe concept follows the wishes of Virgil’s family and was showcased at the Rubell Museum in Miami from December 1st – December 2nd.

"Mercedes-Benz is devastated to hear of the passing of Virgil Abloh. Our sincere thoughts are with Virgil's family and teams. Now opening the world of our collaboration, and Virgil's unique vision, to the public, we want to respectfully celebrate the work of a truly unique design talent, who created endless possibilities for collaboration through his unbridled imagination and inspired all that knew his work." Mercedes-Benz AG.

The automaker first announced the concept in October this year, which gives a nod to the automaker’s storied history. For that, Abloh worked with the brand’s design boss Gorden Wagener. Prior to this, the late designer collaborated with the brand for the G-Wagon race car.

The Project Maybach concept recontextualizes a conventional urban-focused luxury brand within an off-road environment, and the result is a 6m long two-seater coupe that looks extremely rugged. Exterior highlights include

• Huge Gran Turismo proportions
• A wide-width light bar with Maybach grille
• Circular headlamps and four auxiliary lights
• Long bonnet integrated with solar panels
• Maybach-branded tail lights
• Roll cage
• Chunky all-terrain tyres
• Metal skid plates
• Front and rear and body cladding

Inside the cabin, the concept vehicle has a retro look decked up with brown colour inspired by the desert. Included in the modern tech are a digital instrument panel and some non-mentioned items. The visible two seats can be folded completely to form a bed allowing passengers to sleep while camping. Also part of the kit is a few storage compartments.

Mercedes-Benz has not revealed any details on the Project Maybach powertrain.

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