Mercedes-Benz hid a secret Maybach away and no member of the public laid eyes on it for 30 years
Published on Aug 05, 2025 at 11:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Aug 05, 2025 at 11:00 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Mercedes-Benz hid a secret Maybach away in its museum in 1997, and no member of the public laid eyes on it for 30 years – the Maybach Study.
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach Study is the physical manifestation of the 90s ‘Yuppie’ era, with this bespoke office on wheels being both endearingly retro and surprisingly hi-tech for 1997.
Launched at the Tokyo Auto Show, the Maybach Study was perfect for any person working in business between London, New York, and Tokyo.
With spectacular features, it really does harken back to an era when you needed mobile phones to get onto the internet.
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Mercedes-Benz hid a secret Maybach away for 30 years
When you see the awesome Maybach Study from 1997, it’s hard to understand why this car was hidden away in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
The Maybach Study is 90s Yuppie culture personified.
For the unfamiliar, Yuppie stands for ‘young urban professional’ or ‘young upwardly mobile professional’.
It is essentially a rolling office on wheels, the perfect space for a corporate worker who’s flying between different countries and needs to get work done on the road.
The original Maybach came with a laptop in the glovebox, and in the center console between the reclining seats, you can find three mobile phones, one for the driver, one for the passenger, and one for the internet.
The Maybach Study also has an electronically controllable heated and cooled drinks cabinet, perfect for staying hydrated while you’re working using one of the writing desks built into the door.
This is a retro office on wheels
Also built into the door are retro mouse track pads, and above your head, you can find three clocks set to the time in New York, Tokyo, and London.
As it was launched at the Tokyo Auto Show, the GPS is set to Japanese, and it comes with classy wood panelling throughout.
Including some of the more outdated tech, there are a lot of features that are cool in every era, like the panoramic roof for the driver and the electrochromic roof for the passengers in the back.
The body is made up of magnesium, aluminum, and carbon fiber, and even though it was a predecessor to the 57 and 62, it’s based on a W140 with a 6-liter V12 engine, and it’s half a meter longer than the S600, so it’s long.
With classy chrome monoblock wheels built by Enkei, a two-spoke steering wheel, and plush velvet tray tables, it brings a sophisticated edge to the corporate aesthetic.
The ’90s are calling, and they want their secret Maybach back.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
