The Maybach SUV is one of those topics that keeps coming back and forth each semester. Now, Ola Källenius, Mercedes’ board member, has rekindled the flame, bringing the rumored SUV to our attention again.
Speaking to Top Gear UK, Källenius has given strong hints at the prospect of a super-luxury SUV expected to wear the Mercedes-Maybach badge. “Could we do an SUV? I wouldn’t rule it out. I can’t see us doing it with the current platform, so if we would do it, it would have to be based upon the next generation platform,” he explains.
The last part of his quote arises an interesting detail. The future Mercedes-Maybach SUV is probably at least two to three years away since the GLS has recently undergone a major facelift and is not expected to receive a new generation until 2018.
Considering the delay between the current S-Class and its Mercedes-Maybach counterpart, we’d think it’s safe to assume the Maybach SUV won’t reach Mercedes showrooms before the end of the decade.
Whenever it comes to light, the Maybach SUV will be positioned as a direct competitor for the already announced Bentley Bentayga and the first SUV from Rolls-Royce, the later still caught in development limbo, catering for hot demand in markets like Asia or the Middle East, where large sport-utility vehicles are still prized for their imposing stature and generous cabin accommodation.
