Brabus, the German automotive tuning firm with the ne plus ultra approach, has a ne plus ultra option for devotees of the SUV style—a customized Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
Truth be told, this isn’t the first time Brabus has tackled a model from the Daimler upsell brand and historically rich marque. Back in 2017, the tuning company dressed up a Mercedes-Maybach S 650, giving it their ‘900’-level package, which includes a bump up to nearly 900 horsepower.
This Maybach GLS trim package from Brabus is an 800-level treatment, which adjusts the native 4.0L V8 bi-turbo to extract 789 horsepower and a heavyweight 701 pound-feet of torque. A primary component helping the engine to over-achieve is Brabus’ proprietary PowerXtra module, but a pair of bigger turbos helps. The 800-level Maybach GLS can hit 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds, and that’s very good time for a three-ton behemoth.
Brabus isn’t shy about badging—and that’s just plain good business—so the Maybach GLS given their going-over gets plenty of custom identification: inside, outside and under the hood. Carbon fiber components are a given, and the litany includes diffuser, front spoiler, and air intakes.
The interior of the photo shoot example was given a sheathing of apricot-colored ‘Leonis Orange’ top-quality quilted leather…hello, well-heeled soccer mom! And the SUV stance has been rendered even more looming by way of 24-inch wheels, even as the ride height has been dropped to a highway-oriented measurement. But who takes a Maybach off road anyway?