Two New Flagship Mercedes Cars Incoming On May 22

• Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV and AMG S 63 E Performance Saloon to launch on May 22

• The Maybach GLS 600 is the range topping trim in the GLS lineup

• The AMG S 63 E Performance is the performance-oriented range topping trim in the S-Class lineup

• Both get cosmetic tweaks and bigger, more powerful engines 

• Prices for both are expected to start from around Rs 3 crore (ex-showroom)

If the standard Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon or the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 isn’t lavish and powerful enough for you, then we’ve got good news for you. The GLS 600 and AMG S 63 E Performance variants of the luxury SUV and luxury saloon are launching in India on May 22. Not only do they stand out from the standard variants, but also pack a substantially greater punch from their tweaked powertrains.Here’s what you need to know about them:

Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600

Sitting at the helm of the GLS range, the Maybach GLS 600 stands out with its iconic dual tone paint scheme splitting the car from its shoulder line. If that isn’t alluring enough, the vertical slats on the behemoth grille will certainly command attention and assert its presence. Given that this is the facelifted GLS 600, it gets redesigned bumpers, slightly tweaked lighting setup and new 22-inch alloy wheels.

Changes on the inside are limited to the steering wheel; the rest of the styling is nearly identical to its predecessor. The international model gets both 4- and 6-seater options and it remains to be seen which one is offered in India. But needless to say, irrespective of the seating configuration, the luxury quotient will be massive–just like its output figures.

At an output of 557PS and 730Nm from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine paired to a 48V mild-hybrid system, the GLS 600 comes ‘packing’ to say the least. It also gets an additional boost of 21PS from its electric motor. Transmission duties are carried out by a 9-speed automatic gearbox and it is capable of doing 0-100kmph in 4.9 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance Saloon

Mercedes’ rendition of the ultimate luxury saloon, the AMG S 63 E Performance, is the most powerful S-Class to date. The engine is the same as the GLS - a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol. But here, it is paired to a proper plug-in hybrid system, which takes the total combined output to 813PS and 1430Nm. A 0-100kmph time of 3.3 seconds is courtesy of the 4Matic+ system (all wheel drive). It is geared using a nine-speed, multi-clutch transmission, while the electric motor gets a two-speed gearbox.

Thanks to a 13.1kWh battery pack, the flagship sedan can go up to 33km on pure electric drive as well. 

With so much thump under the hood, the AMG S 63 E Performance’s looks certainly are deceiving as they aren’t necessarily as aggressive as you’d expect an AMG to be. Still, it looks rather mean with its AMG-specific grille, huge side air inlets and the AMG-specific, 21-inch wheels. It sits low and stretches out towards the rear where you’re greeted by twin trapezoidal tailpipes and a diffuser with longitudinal fins. 

Staying true to the S badge, there’s loads of creature comforts on the inside, including ambient lighting, a 12.8-inch MBUX infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, and four-zone climate control. And while the interior layout will be the same, it will get AMG-specific elements like a sportier steering wheel and AMG-specific graphics and menus.

Price and rivals

Considering that the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV and Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance Saloon are going to be fully imported units, you can expect a price tag of close to or north of Rs 3 crore (ex-showroom). While the SUV barge will take on the likes of the Range Rover SV, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the luxury saloon will be a performance-oriented alternative to the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8L.