Mercedes-Maybach GLS drops camo ahead of reveal

Mercedes-Benz will expand its flagship Maybach division with an ultra-luxury version of the new GLS SUV, and it has now been seen with virtually no disguise. 

Conceived as an upmarket rival to the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic, as well as pricier rivals such as the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the new model will be revealed in November. Although unconfirmed, the signs are pointing to a public debut at the Los Angeles motor show.

Sources at the Frankfurt motor show told Autocar that the the Mercedes-Maybach GLS will launch at a price of around $180,000. It has been developed to offer performance, accommodation and features commensurate with the existing Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, according to senior officials. They cite China, North America and Russia among the new model’s key target markets.

As the new spy shots show, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS will receive its own unique styling elements, many of which will be drawn directly from the Mercedes-Maybach 6 coupe concept revealed at Pebble Beach in 2016 as a preview to the future of the Maybach sub-brand.

Despite retaining the same aluminium, high-strength steel and composite body panels as future standard GLS models, the new upmarket SUV is expected to sport a different grille and unique headlight and tail-light graphics, as well as added chrome and individual wheel designs in a move aimed at providing it with a more premium appearance in line with the current Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Secrecy surrounds the layout of the new GLS, although there are suggestions it could also have an extended wheelbase in an attempt to provide it with the sort of rear leg room offered by the luxury SUV competition. The current 202in-long GLS has a 121in wheelbase – some 1.6in shorter than that used by the 205in-long Range Rover SVAutobiography LWB but 3.1in longer than that of the 202in-long Bentayga.