Mercedes-Maybach GLS super-SUV firms

As the SUV boom continues unabated and doesn't look like slowing any time soon – if ever according to many experts – there's a growing demand for ultra-luxury SUVs. And Mercedes-Benz wants in.

These lavish SUVs, expected to cost the same as a three-bedroom house, will include the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan over the next few years – and they'll be hot property in places like the Middle East and China.

As previously reported, Daimler head honcho Dieter Zetsche has hinted that a GL-Class (soon to be renamed GLS) super-SUV is a strong possibility and now Mercedes-Benz vehicle research and development boss, Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, has made the strongest indication yet an exclusive Maybach SUV is a goer.

"What I can clearly confirm [is that] the Maybach story is a successful one," Weber responded when queried on the potential of a Bentley-rivalling SUV.

"Maybach sells great in China and other markets. Is there additional room for some more Maybachs? Why not? And why not in the SUV segment?

"Wait and see," grinned the Benz executive.

Although a Mercedes-Maybach GLS is not likely to be publicly available for another couple of years, giving the Bentley Bentayga and potentially the Rolls-Royce SUV a head start, Weber noted that the German company was very much "studying in this direction".

"The question is a little bit 'which sequence?' First we are focussed on the segments which are the most important ones," he said.

"First S, then C, then next year the E-Class will come through the market. Now we are starting to look at things based on our current vehicles: sub-variants are possible and you mentioned what will come next," he said, referring to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

Details of the extravagant new model remain unknown, such as the engine type and excessive luxury features, but if it's anything like the Mercedes-Maybach S600, which costs a cool $449,000 in Australia, it could pack a 6.0-litre V12 generating a hefty 390kW and 830Nm.