The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC Looks Primed for a Second Facelift

The pictured vehicle doesn't offer much in the way of clues, but given the amount of camouflage up front, we're looking forward to plenty of new stuff. Think bumper, grille, and headlights. If the German automaker does launch the second refresh for the 2027 model year, expect future prototypes to boast a plethora of new parts and a lot more camouflage.

Mercedes doesn't normally update vehicles twice during a product cycle, but remember that Merc also happens to be a shrewd automaker. Given the increasingly stringent emission and fuel economy regulations, why come up with a completely new product when Mercedes can easily breathe new life into an existing product? In addition to the GLS, the current-gen GLE and Sonderklasse are believed to receive second facelifts as well by decade's end.

Having touched upon regulations, there is a possibility for the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 and Mercedes-AMG 63 to lose their V8 in favor of a sixer, leaving only the Maybach-branded GLS with V8 muscle in the GLS range. At press time, said V8 is a twin-turbo lump assisted by a mild-hybrid system that develops 22 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm).

The AMG version's V8 is punchier than the Maybach's, with Mercedes quoting 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) as opposed to 550 horsepower and 538 pound-feet (730 Nm) for the luxury-oriented utility vehicle. Both V8s are connected to nine-speed boxes, with the AMG standing out from the Maybach by means of a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter.

For the second facelift, GLS could also receive a much techier cockpit in order to bring it closer to the EQS SUV. The hyperscreen dashboard layout comes to mind, which comprises a digital instrument cluster, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a touchscreen for the front passenger.

One also has to consider the possibility of plug-in hybridization for the Maybach. There is no GLS plug-in hybrid to speak of at the moment of reporting, while the only GLE with plug-in assistance currently available in the United States of America is the four-pot 450e 4MATIC. In combination with the plug-in hybrid system, combined output is 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (650 Nm).

Not good enough for a massive sport utility vehicle with Maybach exterior badging and interior appointments, though. To this effect, Mercedes could take inspiration from the stupidly powerful and torquey AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE 4-Door Coupe. 831 horsepower and 1,082 pound-feet (1,467 Nm) fits the bill much better, doesn't it?

For the 2024 model year, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC starts at $174,350 before destination charge. Almost 30 grand more than the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, the Maybach returns 14 mpg (16.8 l/100 km) in the city, 19 (12.4) on the highway, and shoots to 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.1 seconds.