German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz is looking to launch a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which will be sold under Smart and Maybach monikers. According to a report by Autocar, the Maybach utility vehicle is likely to inspired from the next-generation GL Class that is going to be renamed GLS. On the other hand, the Smart SUV could well be based on the Renault Twingo platform.
Ola Kallenius, the marketing chief of Mercedes-Benz, spoke about Maybach’s potential as a brand and it going beyond the existing state. Notably, launching a GLS-based SUV under the Maybach moniker is one such step that will extend its mark as a brand.
Despite its attempt to expand the reach of Maybach moniker, Mercedes-Benz will still focus on the luxury aspect and differentiate the brand from AMG models. The powertrains likely to be used in the Maybach models include 6.0-litre V12 twin-turbo and 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo units. Reports claim that the main markets in which the German car maker will sell these models are China and the United States of America.
The main aim behind launching the Smart SUV, on the other hand, is to make the moniker a long-term sustaining brand. As per the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, certain engineering issues are expected in the Smart SUV due to its mechanical configuration. However, he also said that “if we were to go for any expansion for the Smart family, the SUV segment would be the one to look into.”
