• The Mercedes-Maybach Haute Voiture is all about luxury and style. All photos: Mercedes-Benz
    The Mercedes-Maybach Haute Voiture is all about luxury and style. All photos: Mercedes-Benz
  • The Haute Voiture is based on the Maybach S680
    The Haute Voiture is based on the Maybach S680
  • The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture world premiere took place in Dubai
    The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture world premiere took place in Dubai
  • Look closely and you might see the gold flutes
    Look closely and you might see the gold flutes
  • The Maybach branding on the front grille
    The Maybach branding on the front grille
  • The interior is decked out in boucle fabric
    The interior is decked out in boucle fabric
  • Daniel Lescow, head of Mercedes-Maybach, introduces the Dubai crowd to the Haute Voiture
    Daniel Lescow, head of Mercedes-Maybach, introduces the Dubai crowd to the Haute Voiture
  • Plenty of room for bags
    Plenty of room for bags
  • The Mercedes-Maybach emblem is littered across the cabin
    The Mercedes-Maybach emblem is littered across the cabin
  • Each of the 150 cars is clearly numbered
    Each of the 150 cars is clearly numbered
  • A rear-light detail on an S680
    A rear-light detail on an S680
  • A speaker to take note of
    A speaker to take note of
  • Smooth lines are a feature of the exterior
    Smooth lines are a feature of the exterior
  • Comfort is all in a Maybach
    Comfort is all in a Maybach
  • And off into the desert
    And off into the desert

Mercedes-Maybach unleashes the limited-edition Haute Voiture in Dubai


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • English
  • Arabic

Mercedes-Maybach has launched what it refers to as the ultimate collectible, a limited-edition luxury car called the Haute Voiture.

The vehicle, an upgraded version of one of the manufacturer’s S-Class offerings, was unleashed in a shower of metaphorical glitter and literal flashing lights and noise in Dubai following a fashion show.

Exclusivity is a key issue here — only 150 units will be available.

The car was created by the manufacturer’s customisation and craftsmanship team and is based on Mercedes-Maybach’s earlier concept vehicle, which was given the Haute Couture moniker.

The exterior is a two-tone mash-up of nautical blue and rose tones, with crystal and opal white features.

Inside, things get seriously showy, with a series of intricate details adorning the upholstery.

Golden-hued fluted glasses are a feature of the rear seating, in line with the picnic theme of Rolls-Royce’s most recent Boat Tail offering.

When the doors are opened, LCD patterns illuminate the front and rear entry areas.

Drive comes from a 621-horsepower twin-turbo 6-litre V12 engine, which is likely to allow the Haute Voiture to move more rapidly than the V8 offering in the S680 model it is based on.

The Mercedes-Maybach Haute Voiture gets its unveiling in Dubai, clapped on by model Jessica Kahawaty. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Maybach Haute Voiture gets its unveiling in Dubai, clapped on by model Jessica Kahawaty. Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Haute Voiture customers will also receive a hand-made gift box, complete with their car’s badge number, as well as a scale model and themed key ring.

Daniel Lescrow, the head of Mercedes-Maybach, said the release heralded a new chapter of high exclusivity for the brand.

Haute Voiture further strengthens the position of the brand as the “ultimate luxury pioneer”, he added, assuring those in the audience that it would go beyond customers’ expectations.

Earlier this year, Mercedes-Maybach launched a limited-edition vehicle created by designer Virgil Abloh before his death in 2021. This was also limited to 150 units.

The Haute Voiture will arrive in 2023, but, as yet, there is no word on pricing.

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Updated: December 15, 2022, 9:00 AM