DACH Supersonic March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 Mercedes-Maybach GLS on course to face Bentley Bentayga in 2019https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-maybach-gls-course-face-bentley-bentayga-2019 Mercedes-Benz’s upmarket Maybach sub-brand is preparing to extend its line-up beyond the S-Class with a plush range-topping version of the upcoming third-generation GLS (formerly GL). Maybach is considered an important brand for Mercedes to develop given the rising demand for luxury models, particularly in the SUV sector, with rivals such as Bentley and Land Rover having notable success with their respective Bentayga and Range Rover. Mercedes has also seen strong growth from its AMG performance arm, which achieved 131,970 sales in 2017, and it would like to emulate this success with Maybach on a smaller but profitable scale. The SUV, which was reported to be on the cards by Autocar in 2016, is set to make its debut as a lightly veiled concept car at the Beijing motor show in April. It will then be revealed in production guise at theLos Angeles motor show in November. The car is tipped to be priced above £120,000 when sales begin in 2019. The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS will build on initiatives taken with the two-year-old Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (below). The new Maybach SUV will share the same basic aluminium and steel bodyshell and advanced four-wheel- drive underpinnings as less heavily specified versions of the new GLS. However, Autocar has been told its upmarket positioning will be underlined by a series of subtle exterior design tweaks and a significantly more luxurious interior than standard versions of the US-built SUV. Insiders involved in the development of the Mercedes-Maybach concept car, known internally as the Maybach 9, say it will not only preview the look of the new model, with a bold new grille among the elements aiming to provide it with added exclusivity, but will also highlight the sort of upmarket features, including autonomous driving functions, to be offered on the production version of the SUV A high-level official told Autocar: “We have been quietly surprised by the sales success of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which is proving extremely popular in many key markets. The plan now is to extend the exclusivity surrounding the Maybach name into the upper end of the SUV segment. We’re confident this new model will leave little to be desired in terms of luxury.” The basis for the new GLS is Mercedes-Benz’s MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform. A development of the existing MRA platform, it is intended to underpin a series of new models, including the new GLE and GLE Coupé. It provides a significant reduction in kerb weight, the capability to support a 48V electrical architecture and the very latest in radar, camera and sensor-supported driving functions. The Maybach-badged GLS is likely to be offered exclusively with the Mercedes-AMG-developed M177 V8 petrol engine. In the recently launched S560, this twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 produces 462bhp, setting up the possibility of the new model being called GLS 560 for production. The new engine, which features a cylinder-shutdown function for added fuel savings in city driving, will replace the twin-turbo 4.7-litre V8 used by today’s GLS 500. Also under discussion for the new Mercedes-Maybach model is the plug-in petrol-electric drivetrain recently unveiled in the S560e. It combines Mercedes’ new turbocharged and electronic supercharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, developing 362bhp, with a 121bhp electric motor. In the new GLS, it is claimed to use a lithium ion battery for a pure-electric range of up to 31 miles. With the GLS produced exclusively at Mercedes’ Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama, the luxury SUV will be the first Maybach model to be produced in the US. As well as providing stiff competition to the Bentayga, the Maybach GLS has also been conceived as a rival to the likes of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Range Rover SVAutobiography. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Maybach is planning to launch an upgraded version of the S560 at the Geneva motor show in March. Among the changes planned for the saloon is a newly designed grille that will set the tone for all future Maybach-badged models. What the Maybach GLS must beat: Bentley Bentayga: Bentley got there first with its Bentayga, which has been a major lifeline for the brand. A 4.0-litre V8 diesel has gone down well alongside the W12 and a hybrid arrives this year. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: The Cullinan (its name has yet to be finalised) arrives this year. Rolls’ first four-wheel drive shares its architecture and 6.75-litre V12 with the new Phantom. Lamborghini Urus: The 641bhp Urus, on the roads in spring, is expected to double Lamborghini’s sales to 7000. The firm insists it is a high-performance car and achieves 0-62mph in 3.6sec. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 Mercedes-Maybach GLS on course to face Bentley Bentayga in 2019 https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-maybach-gls-course-face-bentley-bentayga-2019 Both competing to see who can have the uglier face. "My face is uglier than yours. Take that Bentley." 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DACH Supersonic March 15, 2018 Author Share March 15, 2018 Both competing to see who can have the uglier face. "My face is uglier than yours. Take that Bentley." Let's hope it remains just an ugly rendering. Real car better don't look like this. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Hypersonic March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 Maybach is fugly 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DACH Supersonic March 15, 2018 Author Share March 15, 2018 Maybach is fugly This? Or this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Hypersonic March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 Both Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DACH Supersonic March 15, 2018 Author Share March 15, 2018 Both I just saw the S class Maybach on the roads today. Looks ok to me. Maybe the rims in the picture makes it look ugly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamburger Hypersonic March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 Made for the sake of making. Over size ugly looking hatchback. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 This? Or this? Design wise not wow but level of quietness is something that the rivals cant match 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonewposts 4th Gear March 15, 2018 Share March 15, 2018 I just saw the S class Maybach on the roads today. Looks ok to me. Maybe the rims in the picture makes it look ugly. this rim is much better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steptronic Supercharged March 16, 2018 Share March 16, 2018 Both are ugly. I would go for Bentley, at least the batch is powerful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Hypersonic March 16, 2018 Share March 16, 2018 I just saw the S class Maybach on the roads today. Looks ok to me. Maybe the rims in the picture makes it look ugly. In Beijing, i saw it almost everyday. The more i see it, the more i feel it is fugly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Hypersonic March 16, 2018 Share March 16, 2018 Design wise not wow but level of quietness is something that the rivals cant match Which rival? Bentley Mulsanne or Rolls Royce Phantom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic March 16, 2018 Share March 16, 2018 Which rival? Bentley Mulsanne or Rolls Royce Phantom Ever read a report for world most quiet car and maybach 62 which won the title over other competitors even RR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade777 5th Gear March 17, 2018 Share March 17, 2018 (edited) Both competing to see who can have the uglier face. "My face is uglier than yours. Take that Bentley." These are the new handsome. Edited March 17, 2018 by Renegade777 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic March 17, 2018 Share March 17, 2018 These are the new handsome. If ugly is the new handsome then I am very ugly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
camrysfe 5th Gear April 14, 2019 Share April 14, 2019 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ER-3682 Twincharged April 14, 2019 Share April 14, 2019 Does these "Petrol Guzzlers" still got a Place in Earth.? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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