- A camouflaged prototype of the Maybach GLS was spotted testing on public roads.
- The SUV featured a redesigned front end, suggesting we’re looking at a second facelift.
- The current Mercedes GLS had 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, it seems that Mercedes is already working on a second facelift for its flagship SUV.
The current X167 GLS debuted in 2019 and was the first to become available in ultra-luxurious Maybach form. While the 2023 redesign brought mild 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 look somewhat similar to the facelift of the previous X166 generation, infusing styling features from the fully electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. This is not surprising as Mercedes wants its future EVs and ICE-powered equivalents to look more similar, something that has already started with the recent mid-lifecycle update of the EQS sedan.
The rest of the bodywork is fully uncovered and we couldn’t spot any other differences compared to the current GLS. However, this could change in the future, as early development prototypes often don’t come fitted with all of the redesigned bits. Still, we don’t expect the updates to be as significant as in the front end.
The interior remains a mystery at this point. Still, we wouldn’t be surprised if the GLS received the hyperscreen dashboard layout of the EQS SUV, replacing the more restrained digital cockpit of the existing model.
While it’s too early to talk about powertrains, chances are that Mercedes engineers will try to make the combustion engine cleaner and more efficient. Currently, the Maybach GLS is exclusively offered with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 working together with a mild-hybrid system. It will be interesting to see whether the future GLS will get a heavier dose of 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 arrive in mid-2025, two years after the first facelift. Mercedes could also introduce updates for the regular GLS range, albeit with less bling.
