At first look, the Maybach GLS 600 seems to be like a pumped-up, pimped-out Mercedes SUV; one which’s spent a very long time in a customized store. Pumped up as a result of it will get a heavy-lifting AMG twin-turbo V8, suspension that makes it float like a limo and sufficient drive tech to embarrass a Formulation automotive. It’s additionally closely pimped out; in vivid sunshine, you’ll be able to’t take a look at it with out a welders’ glasses. And on the within, it’s extra customized yacht than luxurious SUV.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: what’s it like on the within and out of doors?
The yacht theme, actually, runs deep. You’ll be able to see pinstripes and ‘paneling’ throughout – on the grille, the 22-inch alloy wheels, the sprint and different random items of furnishings scattered across the cabin. And simply so it matches seamlessly into the existence of the wealthy and well-known, Maybach has used solely the best supplies. There are thick, deep-pile carpets as a substitute of ground mats, the roof lining and parcel tray are lined in leather-based, and should you see chrome or wooden, you could be assured it’s the actual factor. However first up, simply how snug are these Pullman rear seats, and may you actually sit back and zone out?
The clear strains lend themselves nicely to the liberal software of chrome.
Step one entails stepping into the cabin. It’s fairly a climb, so it’s good that the Maybach pops out a retractable footboard for you as you open the door. Completed in chrome (in fact) with the double M brand prominently displayed, it makes clambering up painless. As soon as I cool down, I get a commanding view of the street forward, and that is fairly a change in comparison with a comparatively low-riding limo.
Auto footboard makes climbing in straightforward; no lack of chrome.
Whereas this Maybach isn’t constructed on an extended wheelbase as its S-Class counterpart is, Merc has thrown out the GLS’s rearmost seats, so this once-seven-seater now seats solely 4. And the lion’s share of the area goes to the 2 Nappa-lined reclinable rear seats that ship nothing in need of a first-class expertise. As snug as a settee to start with, the seat base is luxurious, your decrease again is beautifully supported, and since you’ll be able to recline the seat to 43.5 levels (the identical because the S-Class) and prolong a footrest, kicking off your sneakers and stretching out is massively indulgent. And as soon as you discover the precise angle for the backrest and footrest, all it’s important to do is reserve it within the seat reminiscence. The GLS is a bit narrower than an S-Class, so a bit extra wiggle room would have been good, however the seats are heated and cooled, and may therapeutic massage you in half a dozen other ways.
Backrest reclined at 43.5 levels, ft propped up and surrounded by the best supplies; the Maybach pampers you.
And that’s not all! You’ll be able to even flip the GLS 600 right into a mini spa of types. A number of parts pool in to make this occur – the cabin lights are dimmed, the colored ambient lighting units the temper, and you may select your favorite spa music – performed by way of the 27-speaker, 1,590-watt Burmester sound system; all whereas the seat delivers a soothing sizzling therapeutic massage. As if having a son et lumière expertise isn’t sufficient, the Maybach will even fragrance the air. The mixed impact is so good, I set free an involuntary yawn. The piece de resistance, nonetheless, is the leather-based Maybach pillow that can be utilized both as a bolster or as a further assist on your head. Generally, it’s simply the little issues.
Although it’s fantastically completed within the most interesting supplies, that is nonetheless clearly a GLS dashboard.
And, do you have to need, you’ll be able to even do an ‘energising’ exercise, because the massaging seats present resistance that it’s good to push your again and shoulders in opposition to. What subsequent, a 180-degree flat mattress?
There’s additionally different furnishings and fixtures value mentioning on the rear, all completed within the most interesting lacquered wooden, chrome and leather-based. The central console that runs the size of the cabin has heated and cooled cup holders, there are fold-out tables within the elbow relaxation, you’ll be able to specify common plug factors on your units, there’s a fridge giant sufficient to carry a Champagne bottle (positioned between the seats), and also you get a pair of clamp-type Champagne glass holders (along with the common cup holders). After all you get blinds for all of the home windows, even for the fastened glasses on the rear, there’s an enormous panoramic sunroof, and the rear of the cabin will get a detachable pill within the elbow relaxation, along with a pair of enormous screens that additionally include an online browser put in. To see how a lot how a lot all these extras price, see the field.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: what’s it prefer to drive?
I select to sit down within the rear as we exit Mumbai. Set in Maybach mode, which is even cushier than Consolation, the GLS 600 units off like a luxurious liner heading in the direction of the open ocean. On this mode, the suspension turns much more supple, throttle responses are even smoother and even the gear shifts mix into the background seamlessly.
Inside, there is no such thing as a sensation of pace, regardless that we’re motoring alongside fairly properly. It’s very quiet to start with, and dropping the fan pace on the seats makes the cabin much more silent. It’s so quiet right here, it will get your consideration. There’s clearly an enormous quantity of insulation at work, and every part feels nicely damped and hushed.
Few high-riding SUVs can match the supple but flat experience of the Maybach GLS 600.
Mercedes has gone by way of extraordinary lengths to make this doable. This, please keep in mind, is just not the basically well-insulated S-Class. The fan motor, for instance, rests on rubber bearings, so solely only a few vibrations are transferred to the cabin. There’s an additional coating on the air ducts that additional dampens the sound of air dashing previous, and even the rubber-lined, leather-clad parcel tray on the rear has a number of layers of insulation to damp boot resonance.
What’s additionally clear is that the roads have improved; or no less than they really feel like they’ve. Regardless of its long-travel suspension and supple setup, the GLS isn’t bouncy. Bumps and irregularities within the street barely register, the 600 rides as flat as a hovercraft and the suspension is so silent, it nearly blends into the background. And all this on merely large 22-inch wheels. It’s solely when you could have some substantial modifications in street floor or some sharp edges that you just get a little bit of a ‘bob-bob’ or a muffled thud.
Sunburst design of beautiful 22-inch wheels seems to be cool.
So what’s occurring? How is that this doable? The easy reply is evolution, says Mercedes. The subsequent step up from the sensor-controlled Airmatic three-chamber air springs, seen on its earlier vehicles that had the power to ‘learn’ the street forward, this new model additionally ropes within the dampers. So not solely do the springs regulate themselves earlier than they arrive at a bump or dip within the street, the dampers do too. And this occurs independently for every particular person wheel! Mercedes claims that is the one system round that may individually management spring and damping forces at every wheel, and importantly, additionally suppress roll, pitch and elevate on the similar time.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: how does it carry out?
The GLS 600 can be a extremely indulgent drive. I begin in Maybach mode, and even right here it’s the AMG-based twin-turbo V8 that attracts first blood. Creamy, easy, impossibly torquey and with solely a touch of a V8 woffle, that is an distinctive motor. The change in character from the AMG state of tune is very large. Fairly than pumping iron, the ‘M177’ is clearly extra into yoga and pranayama right here. Energy supply is supple however sturdy, and once I flex my proper foot, there’s all the time extra torque than I count on. Wow.
And the additional I push the jewel-box-like accelerator pedal into the deep-pile carpet, the extra the engine appears to have in reserve. You’ll be able to really feel the burden shift to the rear while you speed up laborious, and naturally you’re feeling the longitudinal g-forces construct, however the Maybach doesn’t increase its nostril or dip down all that a lot.
The Maybach GLS manages to do the 0-100kph dash in 5.04s, regardless of its 2.7 tonne weight.
Regardless of weighing in at 2.7 tonnes, the Maybach GLS can be fast. Assessments we performed confirmed that 0-100kph takes 5.04 seconds, with 200kph developing in 18.12 seconds. The AMG-sourced powerplant in query is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with a 48V starter-generator built-in into the nine-speed computerized gearbox. The engine produces 557hp and 730Nm of torque, and a further 250Nm and 22hp come by way of the 48-volt electrical drive. That, system allowing, is sort of 1,000Nm – and you may really feel it.
The sunshine and oily easy steering additionally helps information this supertanker with minimal fuss. It lacks suggestions as you go quicker, however what helps is that it is rather exact and easy, and because the fast-acting suspension ensures physique roll stays in verify, the GLS 600 is even joyful to tuck neatly into corners. Dial up Curve mode (that comes with three presets), and it bodily tilts the SUV right into a nook like a motorcycle, giving a semblance of agility. It’s no sportscar, however the cornering speeds generated by this large SUV are very spectacular, and the transformation from an everyday GLS to Maybach is big.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: what optionally available extras can be found?
The First Class rear compartment improve prices Rs 7.99 lakh, roughly the value of a Hyundai Nios. Whereas It does remodel the rear seat expertise, not every part you see right here is included in that worth.
1. Fridge Rs 2.35 Lakh
The fridge behind the wood cupboard is giant sufficient to carry two champagne bottles.
2. Folding Tables Rs 3.84 Lakh
The solidly constructed folding tables have a really strong mechanism and are very steady, even on the transfer.
3. 3D Burmester Sound Rs 8.70 Lakh
Sound can rival a live performance corridor with subwoofers and a complete of 27 audio system scattered across the cabin.
4. MBUX Rear Leisure Rs 5.10 Lakh
Integration of Merc’s tremendous MBUX with rear screens offers near-full entry; you get an online browser too.
5. Champagne Flute Holder Rs 1.71 Lakh
Champagne glasses get a felt lined holder and clamps are used within the cupholder to carry them in place.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: what security options does it get?
Simply a number of the tech that makes Maybach’s SUV a technological tour de drive.
E-Energetic Physique Management
Primarily based on the Airmatic air suspension, this technique gives self-levelling in addition to lively damping assist. An electrically pushed hydraulic pump (no mistake) is used to assist damp the motion of the automobile and it doesn’t roll, squat or pitch fairly as a lot. Extremely, on poor street surfaces reminiscent of ours, the system is even capable of recuperate power from the up and down forces generated, roughly halving the power requirement.
Curve Mode
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS actively leans into bends by as much as three levels. That is carried out with the assistance of the Airmatic air suspension and the 48 volt delicate hybrid system. Accomplished in three phases, it helps the Maybach successfully behave like a bike and reduces the lateral forces performing on the passengers.
Street Floor Scan
Two cameras regularly scan the street floor forward of the automobile and supply a type of three-dimensional picture of the street forward. When floor imperfections are detected, a message is distributed to the suspension so it may well greatest adapt, even earlier than the dangerous patch is reached.
Restoration Operate (Bounce Mode)
Included as a part of the Off-Street drive program, it’s meant to assist free a automobile from deep sand or slush. To do that, the suspension degree is routinely raised and lowered a number of instances in fast succession. This will increase after which reduces stress on the tyres, enhancing traction and helps the GLS rock itself free. Seeing this 2.7-tonne SUV bounce like a lowrider, nonetheless, is a lot enjoyable, most house owners will primarily use it as a celebration trick.
Evasive Steering Help (ESA)
Between 20 to 70kph, Evasive Steering Help may also help the motive force manoeuvre and keep away from a pedestrian. To do that the automotive makes use of a pedestrian detection system fed by each digicam and radar, to exactly calculate steering torque, earlier than making use of it to show the steering wheel.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: Must you purchase one?
The Maybach GLS 600 has a beginning worth of Rs 2.43 crore, however that is earlier than you spec it up. Try this and the value can simply add one other crore. Whereas that is undoubtedly a humongous pile of money, the GLS 600 continues to be extra simply accessible than rivals just like the Bentley Bentayga or the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, costs for which begin at Rs 4 and seven crore, respectively. Sure, in contrast to rivals, it doesn’t fairly have its personal identification and continues to be based mostly on a GLS, however what the Maybach gives in any other case is an expertise not too far faraway from these dearer rivals. On the lookout for a substitute for a Maybach S-Class limo? This SUV may very well be one of many options.
