Maybach’s internal combustion engine SUV is quite fresh, but the company may want to extend its lifecycle even further into the future
- A camouflaged prototype of the Maybach GLS has been spotted testing on public roads.
- The SUV featured a redesigned front end, which suggests we are considering a second facelift.
- The current Mercedes GLS received its first facelift in 2023.
The Mercedes GLS, including the Maybach version, received its mid-lifecycle update in 2023. So what is this camouflaged prototype doing on public roads? For lack of a better answer, Mercedes appears to be already working on a second facelift for its flagship SUV.
The current X167 GLS debuted in 2019 and was the first to be available in ultra-luxurious Maybach form. While the 2023 redesign brought slight visual updates, the second facelift appears to be more extensive. The prototype’s nose is covered in camouflage, but we can see a pair of redesigned headlights flanking a taller grille.
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The lines are somewhat similar to the facelift of the previous X166 generation and combine styling features of the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. This is not surprising as Mercedes wants its future electric vehicles and ICE-powered equivalents to look more similar, which has already started with the recent mid-lifecycle update of the EQS sedan.
The rest of the body is completely bare and we could not find any other differences to the current GLS. However, this could change in the future, as early development prototypes often do not come with all redesigned parts. Nevertheless, we do not expect that the updates will be as extensive as in the frontend.
The interior remains a mystery at this point. Still, we wouldn’t be surprised if the GLS gets the EQS SUV’s hyperscreen dashboard layout, replacing the existing model’s more reserved digital cockpit.
While it’s still too early to talk about powertrains, there’s a chance that Mercedes engineers will try to make the internal combustion engine cleaner and more efficient. The Maybach GLS is currently only offered with a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine combined with a mild hybrid system. It will be interesting to see if the future GLS will receive more electrification in the form of a plug-in hybrid setup.
According to our sources, the second facelift of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS is expected to appear in mid-2025, two years after the first facelift. Mercedes could also introduce updates to the regular GLS range, albeit with less bling.
