How can we convey what the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 stands for? Well, try this gem from the press release on for size. “The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS has its own signature fragrance: the white osmanthus blossom, floral and light, is rounded off by a gentle leather note and spicy tea.” 

Yep, that’s the level we’re talking about here people. After all, just look at the thing. That is a serious amount of chrome grille going on up front. And the shiny bits don’t stop there either. There’s a chrome skid plate, chrome window surrounds and even chrome roof rails. Reflective roof rails – just what we always wanted.

The wheels are 22-inches as standard (with 23s optional) and the Maybach-only two-tone paintwork can be had in seven different colour combinations – two of which you can see above, and all of which are completely terrible.

Of course, we knew the Maybach version of Merc’s GLS was coming. It makes perfect financial sense considering that, in 2018, one in seven S-Classes sold were Maybachs. Plus, if you hadn’t noticed, the world has gone SUV-crazy.

(If it's properly uber-luxe you're after, click HERE to read about the Rolls-Royce Cullinan)

It’s when you open those huge doors that the luxury really begins, though. Pull the door handle and the GLS 600’s air suspension will drop the car by 25mm to welcome you in. At the same time, a two-metre-long running board will swing out from behind the side sill to allow you to step up.

Mercedes proudly states that this all happens in one second. Time is money people, time is money.

Clearly, the Maybach is a car for back seat passengers. It can be had with either four or five seats, but even if you spec the five-seat option, the outer two will be giant ‘executive’ seats with climate and massage functions. The four-seat option gets a hefty centre console, which can be specced with temperature-controlled cup holders, a heatable armrest and a fridge big enough for three bottles of only the finest champagne.

Of course, there’s nappa leather absolutely everywhere, and Mercedes says the wood has all been aged for at least ten years. Thank the lord. A Burmester surround sound system is standard, which you’ll be able to hear better thanks to the partition between passenger compartment and boot, and there’s a whole array of tablets and screens in both the front and back seats.

Perhaps the least important thing about the Maybach GLS is the way it drives, but you might be happy to hear it has a stonking-great 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine to back up those… bold looks. Max power is 550bhp and 730Nm of torque. It’ll even do 0-100km/h in 4.9secs despite weighing 2,785kg. Yeah, two-thousand seven-hundred and eighty-five.

There are all the usual Mercedes driving modes, but there’s now also a ‘Maybach mode’ which prioritises rear-seat comfort. Select it, and the chauffeur will be presented with a flat accelerator curve, fewer gearshifts from the 9spd auto ‘box and all starts in second gear without the use of stop/start.

That’s about all we know for now, and we’re as eager as you probably will be to find out how much this all costs. Our guess? A lot.

STORY Greg Potts