A Game Beyond Cars
Aside from developing compelling vehicles, automakers have long formed partnerships outside the automotive industry to strengthen their identity and gain greater exposure. Jeep, for instance, signed a two-year deal with Moab, Utah, in September 2026 to secure exclusive automotive sponsorship rights at covered events.
Mercedes-Benz is also making use of such collaborations, having become the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) premier partner and exclusive automotive partner at the start of this year. The German marque is capitalizing on the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals, set to take place in Indian Wells, California, by offering a one-of-one, Manufaktur-customized Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4Matic+ as the grand prize.
A Grand Slam of a Grand Tourer
The Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4Matic+ is the brand’s grand touring roadster, equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, which belongs to the same engine family that powers models like the Aston Martin DB12. Since the press release doesn’t mention any performance upgrades under the Manufaktur Made to Measure program, the grand prize vehicle is expected to retain the standard model’s 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
What the one-off roadster gets is a bespoke Ultraviolet paint finish inspired by the WTA’s signature purple branding. It also wears a set of 21-inch AMG forged cross-spoke wheels, while the cabin features Crystal White Manufaktur Nappa leather upholstery with carbon-fiber trim. To make the vehicle more personal, it comes with custom door sills, embossed headrest cushions, WTA Finals-inspired details, and a badge bearing the eventual winner’s name.
Speaking of which, defending WTA Finals singles champion Elena Rybakina won a Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet during the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix earlier this year. This means Rybakina has a chance to add a bespoke SL 55 to her garage if she comes out on top against seven other competitors at this year’s season-ending event. An undefeated singles champion could also receive as much as $3.37 million in prize money.
The 2026 FAGE WTA Finals will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden from November 8 to November 15.
Money Can’t Buy This One
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t disclosed how much the customization costs. For reference, the 2027 AMG SL 55 Roadster starts at $147,750, so this bespoke version is likely worth considerably more, though its significance as a championship prize could make it priceless to the winner.
While the V8-powered grand prize car celebrates the partnership, it also gives the Manufaktur program greater exposure. Mercedes-Benz opened its first American Manufaktur Made to Measure Hub in Los Angeles in July 2026, following a year in which U.S. customers accounted for over 40% of global Manufaktur demand.
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