Mercedes-Maybach GLS: the luxury SUV gets undressed

The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS has been spotted almost without camouflage on the streets of Germany. Here it is!

Mercedes-Benz is already a brand that promises a truly wide range of finishes and quality standards. Now add the name Maybach to the mix, and Arab sheikhs will be rubbing their hands together, because luxury and distinction are already guaranteed.

We have already seen several Maybach models based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class platform. However, like all manufacturers, Daimler’s subsidiary has to adapt to new trends, so it was only a matter of time before Maybach ventured into launching an SUV.

The answer is the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, whose development we first learned about a few months ago. However, it seems this Teutonic super-luxury SUV is already in its final development phase, as the brand intends to unveil it to the public before the end of the year.

The project appears to be well advanced, as some test mules are already circulating on German streets, some even without camouflage. They have been caught almost completely bare, although at least they have covered the car’s badges.

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS, undressed

Although the images are not of high quality, we can make out some key features of the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS. This new model is based on the flagship of the brand’s SUV range, but has been reworked to compete with exclusive rivals such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Bentley Bentayga.

For this reason, Maybach has tried to set it apart from a Mercedes-Benz GLS with a new grille featuring a greater number of vertical slats. In addition, the wheels are expected to be specific to the most luxurious model in the range.

What is still unclear is the engine that will sit under the hood of this luxurious beast. However, given its target markets, it seems clear it will be a petrol engine. Whatever powerplant it gets, one thing is certain: it will feature the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox and the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS will be presented at the end of the year, specifically in November, it is expected. What we do know is where it will be built: the German super-luxury SUV will roll off the production lines of the brand’s plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.