How to unlock the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 in Need for Speed Unbound

With the Volume 2 update for Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed Unbound – available now for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S – comes a brand new car, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680.

This luxury saloon is the most expensive car the German manufacturer currently produces, with a 612 hp 6-litre V12 engine, it is nearly 18 feet in length and weighs a porky 5422 lb.

Silver-plated champagne goblets and Burmester 4D surround sound? Why, but of course.

It’s also extremely tuneable, and with several body kits available in game to make your ultimate hip-hop star vehicle.

But, it’s not available from the garage immediately, you must complete some challenges. Here’s how to unlock the new Mercedes-Maybach within the open-world street racing game.

Mercedes-Maybach S 680 unlock conditions

To unlock the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 within Need for Speed Unbound, you must first earn 30 stars from Hot Lap activities.

• Get 30 stars on Hot Laps

What are Hot Laps in Need for Speed Unbound?

Hot Laps are a type of optional activity within Need for Speed Unbound where you must set a competitive time around a short circuit placed within the Lakeshore environment.

Hot Laps tips

There are 30 Hot Laps activities within Need for Speed Unbound, as of the Volume 2 update, released 21^st March 2023.

There are four tiers of times to try and beat for each Hot Laps activity. There are three main times, each with stars as a reward. There is an entry-level time, which if you beat you earn one star, and then two more difficult times from which you can earn additional stars.

Then there’s an ultra-difficult time set by a rival, for which you can earn a cash reward. There are also smaller cash rewards for the lower star levels.

• One star time – $250
• Two star time – $750
• Three star time – $1,500
• Rival time – $3,000

We found that you will need a highly modified vehicle to beat the top times, these are not a walkover, so fire up that S+ machine. Then, you may need to swap tyres for each event, as some take place off-road.

To find a Hot Laps event, look for the icon on the map that includes an arrow circumnavigating its own circular path.

The quickest way to earn 30 stars

With up to three stars per Hot Laps activity, and 30 activities, you don’t need to get three stars on each.

Simply completing each activity to a one-star standard will net you 30 and unlock the ‘bach.

However, you will lose time by travelling between each event. If you only have slower cars in your line-up, then this is the only method, but if you have a tuned-up S+ car that handles well, it may be quicker to focus on fewer events to a three-star standard.

How much is the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 in Need for Speed Unbound?

Once you’ve completed the Hot Laps activities and earned 30 stars, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 unlocks for purchase, costing $230,000. Job done, congratulations.