When it comes to luxury in motion, few brands do it better than Mercedes-Benz. But the Mercedes-Benz brand itself is segmented and has a lot of models on offer. So what happens when you pair their best, most luxurious sub-brand, with their best, most luxurious SUV? Well, this — the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC. This is the 2nd time the Maybach name is being used to market an SUV, the first being the G650 Landaulet in 2017.
Building on the all-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Maybach model goes over the top in delivering a much more complete experience. It looks like Daimler have their sights set on the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls Royce Cullinan. Those SUVs do share their development costs with other brands, so there’s really no justification in saying this Maybach model is ‘watered down’ in comparison.
The best place to start talking about this GLS 600 from Mercedes-Maybach would have to be the look. They’ve mounted the logo as a hood element the way older Benz vehicles used to do as standard. You also get the MAYBACH name emblazoned on the grille below the three-pointed star. The grille itself features chrome pinstripes. There’s also chrome around the side windows and exclusive 22 and 23 inch rim options. Maybach branding adorns the car’s D-pillars and there are small design features on the lower parts of either bumper that help distinguish this Maybach GLS from the Benz GLS.
Mercedes-Benz GLS Mercedes-Maybach GLS
More striking is the option for dual-tone paintwork. 8 different colour combinations are available exclusively on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC. Also quite eye-catching is the electronically extending and retractable running boards. These aluminium boards are illuminated and will conceal themselves until needed. It takes just a second for them to extend and they do so automatically, depending on which side of the vehicle they’re needed. They can also be manually deployed via MBUX.
A twin-turbocharged petrol 4-litre V8 engine powers this behemoth with 558 PS and 730 Nm of torque on tap. This particular variant was tuned specifically for the Maybach GLS 600 according to Daimler. It is paired to a 48V EQ Boost system making it a mild-hybrid electric vehicle. AIRMATIC suspension with Adaptive Damping Systen Plus is standard, but E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL is optional.
Unlike the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS is not available as a 7-seater. Instead it can be configured either as a 4- or 5-seater. Here too, the seats are pushed 12cm further back than they are on the standard model. The seats have also been designed with better calf support and up to 43.5° of backrest recline.
Compared to the S-Class, the GLS allows occupants to sit between 25-28cm higher off the ground. This makes it easier for passengers to get in and out of the vehicles. There are high-resolution displays in the rear that allow rear occupants to control some of the vehicle’s functions an internal environment.
What would you go for? The new Maybach S-Class or this new Maybach GLS?
