3 Minutes
Subtle upgrade, big impact
The outgoing Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has been quietly attracting attention in the tuner scene, and this latest example proves you don't need an overhaul to transform a flagship luxury sedan. The car in the photos wears one obvious modification: a fresh set of Velos VLS40 three-piece wheels. Other than that, the Maybach retains its factory front and rear bumpers, lighting, side skirts, imposing grille and bi-tone paint with chrome trim and pinstripe—classic Maybach restraint.
What's different? The wheels
The VLS40 from Velos is a three-piece forged wheel crafted from 6061-T6 aluminum. Available in a range of finishes and sizes from 18 to 26 inches, the design can be ordered with a center-lock option and fitted to a wide variety of premium cars. On this Mercedes-Maybach S 580 the alloys replace the standard wheels and give the car a sharper, more purposeful stance without altering its elegant lines.
Highlights:
- Model: Velos VLS40 three-piece wheels
- Material: 6061-T6 forged aluminum
- Sizes: 18" to 26" diameter
- Optional: center-lock hub
"A small change, a big personality shift," might be the best way to describe how the new wheels affect the Maybach's presence.
Fitment and brand crossover
Velos markets the VLS40 as a multi-application wheel, and the list of cars wearing them already reads like a luxury crossover catalog: Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover, and Bentley Continental GT. Curiously, we didn't find any BMWs wearing this particular design yet, despite a visual likeness to Alpina wheels that would suit 7 Series sedans and X7 SUVs just as well.
Under the hood: Mercedes-Maybach S 580 specifications
This pictured model is specified as the Mercedes-Maybach S 580. Key specs:
- Powertrain: 4.0-liter mild-hybrid twin-turbo V8
- Output: 496 bhp (370 kW / 503 PS)
- Torque: 516 lb-ft (700 Nm)
- 0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds (approx.)
For buyers wanting more, the S 680 offers a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 621 hp and is about 0.2 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the V8-powered S 580.
Pricing and market positioning
In the United States the latest Mercedes-Maybach S 580 begins at an MSRP around $207,150, while the S 680 starts near $244,400. Velos does not list public pricing for the VLS40 on its website at the time of writing, so interested buyers should contact the wheelmaker directly for quotes and fitment details.
This example highlights a larger trend in the luxury car market: owners of top-tier sedans often prefer tasteful, bolt-on upgrades that preserve factory design while adding individuality. In this case, forged Velos wheels deliver that balance—a subtle but effective modification for the discerning Maybach owner.
Source: autoevolution
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