The opulent Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 touches down in North America with more equipment and performance than ever, and is said to feel much more like a Maybach than its predecessor.
Exterior changes include a bloated radiator grille with backlit Maybach lettering inside, a matching hood emblem, new 23-inch wheels and a tinted glass insert between the taillights. A look inside reveals the company’s signature Superscreen display arrangement, a 15-speaker Burmester audio system and a couple of touchscreens for the back seat occupants. Paying a premium unlocks an Executive Seat Package with further power adjustments, massage, heating and ventilation options.
Things look fresher under the hood as well with the car’s standard V8 boosted to 612 PS (603 hp / 450 kW) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque. Mercedes claims that the SUV now has a sharper throttle response while still riding as smoothly as one would expect from a Maybach. A 48-volt starter-generator helps with the latter aspect, as well as with doing 0-60 mph (0-96.6 km/h) in four seconds.
All production for the U.S. market will be handled by the company’s factory in Alabama. The first customer deliveries are expected this year.