2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 Debuts With 603 HP, Illuminated Grille, and Calf Massages
Mercedes-Benz-Maybach pulled the wraps off the 2027 GLS 680 on July 20, 2026, and the updated flagship SUV arrives at U.S. dealerships later this year. The headline number is 603 horsepower — a 53 hp jump over the outgoing engine — but the real story is how deeply Mercedes-Maybach has reworked every layer of the vehicle, from the illuminated grille badge to calf-rest massage functions in the rear seats.
The GLS has anchored the top of the luxury SUV segment since its 2019 debut, and this generation pushes further in every direction: more expressive exterior design, a more powerful electrified V8, upgraded suspension tech, and a new infotainment platform powered by MB.OS. Markus Bauer, Head of Mercedes-Maybach at Mercedes-Benz AG, put it plainly: “It combines effortless power with commanding presence. Every detail has been shaped to enhance comfort and serenity — in a way that feels unmistakably Maybach.”
A More Commanding Face — With An Illuminated Name To Match
The front end gets the most visible changes. A redesigned Maybach-specific radiator grille now features an illuminated surround, and for the first time on the GLS, the MAYBACH name is subtly lit within the grille itself. The standing Mercedes-Benz hood star can also be optionally illuminated — another first for this model. New twin-star DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps carry Rose Gold accents, and a sleek black panel ties the headlamps and grille into one cohesive unit.
Out back, a redesigned tailgate visually connects the new taillights and emphasizes the vehicle’s width. Three-dimensional star motifs, each framed in chrome, define the taillamp clusters. New exterior color options include Dark Petrol, MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic, and an exclusive Dark Petrol / Verde Silver Metallic two-tone finish. The optional 23-inch Maybach forged wheels feature a precision ball-bearing mechanism that keeps the Mercedes-Benz center star perfectly upright as the wheel rotates — the kind of detail that exists purely because it can.
603 HP And A 48-Volt Mild-Hybrid System Under The Hood
At the core of the GLS 680 is the latest evolution of the M 177 Evo electrified twin-turbo V8, producing 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s up 53 hp and 89 lb-ft from the previous unit. Two newly added Lanchester balance shafts sharpen refinement, and the engine responds more quickly to accelerator inputs while running more efficiently.
A second-generation 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG 2.0) handles mild-hybrid duties — contributing 23 hp of boost, enabling coasting and recuperation, and managing the start-stop function without any perceptible interruption. A revised steering system with a more direct ratio rounds out the dynamics package, delivering more immediate response whether the GLS is threading city traffic or covering ground on an open road.
Suspension That Thinks 1,000 Times Per Second
Standard AIRMATIC air suspension now incorporates intelligent, predictive damper control that pulls real-time road data from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles ahead via the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. The optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL goes further: five multi-core processors and more than 20 sensors analyze the driving situation 1,000 times per second, individually controlling spring and damper forces at each wheel.
In CURVE mode, the GLS leans into corners by up to three degrees, actively reducing lateral forces on every occupant. The system also raises and lowers the suspension repeatedly in the Off-Road program to improve traction in deep sand or mud — a feature that feels almost absurd on a vehicle this opulent, until you need it.
Inside: Massages, More Speakers, And Hand-Stitched Headliners
The interior updates are extensive. Front seats gain a newly developed vibration massage program in the seat cushions. The rear Executive Seats now extend massage functions to the calf rests — a first for the Maybach GLS. The Burmester 3D Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos adds two rear surround speakers and a more powerful 710-watt amplifier, bringing the total to 15 speakers.
New interior color options include Beech Brown / Macchiato Beige Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather, with two new trim finishes — Natural Grain Brown Walnut Wood and an exclusive High-Gloss Silver Metallic Mixed Fabric. The MANUFAKTUR program’s most-requested option in 2026 is the hand-stitched leather headliner, assembled from up to 20 precisely cut sections by a single craftsperson in Sindelfingen, who signs the finished piece.
The new MBUX Superscreen spans three 12.3-inch displays under a seamless glass surface. The MBUX Virtual Assistant integrates AI from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, appearing as a Maybach-specific Rose Gold star avatar on the Zero Layer. Over-the-air updates keep the entire vehicle software current after purchase.
Built In Alabama, Finished By Hand
The 2027 GLS 680 is assembled at Mercedes-Benz’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, which has produced large Mercedes SUVs since the original M-Class in 1997 — more than five million vehicles in total. A dedicated Mercedes-Maybach team handles the model-specific interior finishing outside the regular assembly flow, with two team members responsible for completing each vehicle. Those specialists train in Germany at Mercedes-Maybach MANUFAKTUR before taking on the role. The GLS 680 reaches U.S. dealerships later in 2026 as a 2027 model.
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