What's this?

It's the ultimate luxury Mercedes SUV - the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600.

Crikey, that's some grille.

Isn't it? Although it could have been so much worse. The concept version that preceded this car was actually a gigantic, and gigantically ugly, SUV saloon.

Eurgh.

Indeed. This is positively handsome by comparison, from its massive grille, through to the optional two-tone paint, the 22-or-23-inch wheels, and the big Maybach badges on the rear pillars.

I'm guessing it's luxurious?

Yup, that's the whole point. Inside, you can have a standard three-seat rear bench but there's an optional massive centre console that divides it into two luxurious, first-class airliner-style seats. There's wall-to-wall Nappa leather, a dedicated air conditioning system for the rear, massaging and climate-controlled seats, touchscreens, and even an (optional) champagne fridge with silver flutes.

The back of the car has actually been cut off from the boot - there's a big bulkhead separating it, so as to bring down cabin noise to truly hushed levels. Outside, there are illuminated aluminium steps that fold out from under the sides when you pull the door handle, making your entry and egress that much more dignified.

Up front, it's basically the same as the standard GLS, but with much more luxury and more leather to go with the excellent MBUX digital dashboard.

What about the engine?

That's the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as the AMG GT, and here it's a mild-hybrid with 558hp and 730Nm of torque. That's good enough to shift this building-sized SUV from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system also runs an active anti-roll system for the air suspension. There's even a special 'Maybach' setting for the suspension that programmes it for the most comfortable possible ride quality.

When can I have one?

Assuming your Euromillions numbers come up this week, you can have your Maybach GLS 600 at the end of next year.

Neil Briscoe - 21 Nov 2019