The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC (combined fuel consumption: 12.0-11.7 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 273?266 g/km) represents a new form of luxury in the SUV segment. It combines the body form and superior, robust technical basis provided by the GLS, the S-Class among SUVs, with all the technical and material luxury of a top-class sedan.
Its spacious interior with the highest-grade materials and extremely effective noise insulation creates a stylish, cocoon-like feel-good atmosphere. From their pleasantly elevated seating position, thanks to electrically operated roller sun blinds on the two rear side windows, the passengers can decide for themselves how much of their surroundings they want to see.
“The Mercedes-Maybach brand represents ‘Ultimate Luxury’ in its most contemporary, purest form. The brand’s style is embodied in sublime beauty, supreme aesthetics and elegance. In order to define the luxury of the future, we are taking the concept of Sensual Purity to the next level and transforming ourselves from a premium manufacturer to the world’s leading design brand.” – Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG
The AIRMATIC suspension included as standard or the optional, fully-active suspension with E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL effectively keep the road bumps at bay. For the first time there is a dedicated Maybach drive program that ensures even more comfort in the rear.
This is the only system on the market that can individually control spring and damping forces at each wheel, suppressing rolling, pitching and lifting movements. Together with ROAD SURFACE SCAN and the curve inclination function CURVE, E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL makes an exceptional level of comfort possible, and supports the claim of Mercedes-Benz to build the world’s most intelligent SUV suspension.
E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL operates with 48 volts. The system is based on the AIRMATIC all-air suspension system and offers the same all-round self-levelling. Furthermore, the electrically driven hydraulic pump generates dynamic forces that overlay the air suspension forces and actively support and dampen the vehicle body, e.g. during linear and lateral acceleration or when driving on uneven roads. The body no longer squats or pitches during braking and acceleration, and on poor road surfaces the system is even able to recuperate energy, roughly halving the energy requirement compared with the preceding system in the S-Class.
Additional features to enhance occupant comfort:
- In CURVE drive mode, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS actively leans into bends by up to 3° in three stages, like a motorcycle. This reduces the lateral forces acting on the occupants. Cornering is therefore made much more pleasant, especially for the front and rear passengers.
- The ROAD SURFACE SCAN function comprises a stereo multi-purpose camera that continually records the road surface ahead of the vehicle. The suspension struts are then activated so as to substantially reduce the body movements when driving over surface undulations, as the suspension responds even before the uneven stretch is reached. This enhances the comfort in particular away from paved roads.
The recovery function is included as part of the Off-Road drive program and helps to free the vehicle more easily if it gets stuck in sand, for example. If possible the suspension level is automatically raised and lowered automatically several times, which alternately increases or reduces the ground pressure of the tyres and therefore improves traction.
The V8 engine with a displacement of four litres, which can develop 410 kW (558 hp) and 730 Nm of torque, is an engine variant developed exclusively for Maybach and moves the car discreetly and powerfully. The engine is combined with the 48-volt system EQ Boost. An additional 250 Nm of torque and 16 kW/22 hp output are available temporarily via EQ Boost.
Power is transmitted by the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. The wide spread of ratios for gears one to nine ensures a significant reduction in the engine speed and is a decisive factor behind the high levels of drive and ride comfort. Likewise, standard is the transfer case with variable transfer of the drive torque from 0-100 percent (Torque on Demand) between the axles.
Two-tone paint finishes are optionally available, and these underline the balanced proportions of the body. A total of eight combinations are planned, the colour named first being that of the lower section: cavansite blue/iridium silver; designo diamond white bright/obsidian black; iridium silver/designo diamond white bright; iridium silver/selenite grey; obsidian black/kalahari gold; obsidian black/patagonia red; obsidian black/rubellite red; emerald green/mojave silver.
These paint finishes are rendered particularly elegant by the fluid course of the separating lines, where a fine pinstripe in the one colour merges into the body of the other colour along the vehicle’s beltline. This fine line once again echoes the pinstripe motif.
The Mercedes-Benz star surmounts the bonnet in the classic way, while the fine, vertical chrome struts of the Maybach radiator grille create a pinstripe effect. Effective chrome highlights around the side windows, and the chrome inserts in the side sill panels, lend dignity and elegance to the profile.
The same applies to the brand emblem, which is positioned at various points such as on the D-pillar. As a special, Maybach-specific feature, two-tone paintwork is available in seven different, elegant colour combinations.
The 22 or 23-inch wheels were developed exclusively for this model, with the 23-inch version echoing the pinstripe theme. The tailpipe trim elements with a small cross rib emphasise the model’s identity as a Mercedes-Maybach.
Another eye-catching feature of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS are the electrically extending running boards. They make accessing and leaving the high seating position both convenient and safe. With surfaces of anodised aluminium laced with black rubber strips, illuminated in the dark and particularly wide in the area of the rear doors, they ensure a very special visual appeal.
When in their retracted state, the running boards are concealed behind the side sill panels. If a rear door is opened, the running board on the side concerned automatically swings into position in around one second. This default setting can be changed using a special menu in the MBUX infotainment system. In the interests of spaciousness in the rear, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS is only available with two seat rows.
The equipment features: luxury, leather and reclining seats
The appointments of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC are already decidedly luxurious as standard. The two outer rear seats can be electrically converted into reclining seats. Padded areas and the dashboard are finished in fine nappa leather as standard, with a range of further cushions and leather interior linings available on request.
The high-gloss or open-pore wood surfaces of the trim elements, plus the upholstery in nappa magma grey/black or nappa mahogany brown/macchiato beige as standard ensure a very high perceived value. The same colour combinations are also available for the optional designo Leather package. For this a lighter upholstery colour in crystal white/silver grey pearl will become available as an alternative soon after market launch, awakening associations with interior design in luxury yacht-building and thereby underlining the high quality of the selected materials. One typical Mercedes?Maybach detail is the colour rosé gold for the piping on the white leather.
An electrically opening panoramic sliding/tilting sunroof with an opaque roller blind is standard equipment, as are climatised massage seats. Obtainable on special request, the fixed centre console transforms the car into a spacious four-seater whose rear is just as suitable for working as for relaxing. This console is available with extending, folding tables, even a refrigerator with space for champagne bottles. Suitable silver champagne flutes for this are available from the accessories range.
A dedicated fragrance was developed for the Mercedes?Maybach GLS for active fragrancing as part of the optional AIR BALANCE package: the white osmanthus blossom, floral and light, is rounded off by a gentle leather note and spicy tea.
The in-door speakers of the Burmester® surround sound system are inset into the wood trim behind metal meshes. High-quality chromework and Mercedes-Maybach badges in the interior create further highlights. A stimulating contrast is created by the traditional materials, their craftsman-like finish and the modern high-tech appointments of the Mercedes-Maybach.
The removable tablet further enhances ease of operation when the rear passenger has adopted a particularly comfortable, reclined position with the separate cushions. If the occupant then also wants to use the seat’s climatisation or massage function, listen to music or adjust the ambient lighting, they do not need to sit up again to select the setting.
There are also command menus that can be called up in the MBUX, MBUX Rear Tablet and MBUX Rear Seat Entertainment System. The MBUX Rear Tablet is housed in the extended centre console in the four-seater variant, while it is located in the fold-out luxury centre armrest with chrome trim element in the five-seater version. It also has space for an illuminated stowage compartment with two USB ports. Optionally a wireless charging module for smartphones can be installed here.
Starting from this basis, added value that is typically Maybach is often a further result. For example, noise insulation in the interior has been raised to an even higher level by installing a rigid partition and a fixed parcel shelf behind the rear seats, separating the interior from the luggage compartment.
From the power transfer and suspension to the headlamp technology, the technical systems of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS at least correspond to the most comfortable equipment level of the technically related Mercedes-Benz SUVs.
There is a dedicated Maybach drive program for the suspension and powertrain; its settings offer rear seat passengers in particular the ultimate in ride comfort. With the standard MBUX Rear Tablet in the centre console or the armrest between the rear seats, the extensive comfort and entertainment functions can also be intuitively controlled from the rear seats.
The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS comes with many of the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems included as standard. The PRE-SAFE® systems, which can increase the effectiveness of the car’s protective functions by initiating in some cases reversible measures prior to an accident, are comprehensive and state-of-the-art, too.
Options include a package incorporating Active Stop-and-Go Assist and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side. One of the stand-out features of the Executive seat in the Mercedes-Maybach is the cushion airbag in the seat cushion. In the event of a frontal impact, it is designed to stop the rear passenger from sliding under the belt when the seat is in the reclined position. The cushion airbag restrains the passenger as effectively as possible in the pelvic area and in this way boosts the restraint effect of the three-point seat belt equipped with inertia-reel tensioners and belt force limiters.
The following assistance systems are installed as standard:
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
- Active Speed Limit Assist
- Traffic Sign Assist
- Route-based speed adjustment
- Active Steering Assist with Active Lane Change Assist and “emergency corridor” functions
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- Active Blind Spot Assist with exit warning
- Active Brake Assist with turning manoeuvre function and cross-traffic function
- PRE-SAFE® PLUS
