The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC and Mercedes‑Benz GLS 450 4MATIC have arrived in Singapore and customers are invited to explore the offerings at the Mercedes-Benz Center.

With their generous exterior dimensions, these luxury SUV models offer interior space for up to seven occupants in three-seat rows.

“In our continued quest to redefine luxury in this era, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC and Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC play an ever-important role,” said Claudius Steinhoff, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore.

“Sitting at the peak of automotive luxury, the GLS leaves nothing more to be desired when it comes to motoring – luxury, dynamism, technology, connectivity, and design. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is thus superlative when it comes to full-sized luxury SUVs; it truly sets the benchmark in luxury, within and beyond the confines of the car.”

“We are beyond delighted that we’re able to offer both the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 and Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC in Singapore, and cannot wait for car owners here to experience our vision of automotive luxury through these vehicles,” he added.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS

Vertical chrome bars and “Maybach” lettering are distinguishing features of the top model’s high-quality radiator grille, while the air inlet grilles also feature a Maybach pattern and have chrome surround.

A 23‑inch forged wheel in a typical Maybach design with a forged wheel bolt cover is new to the options list.

With a maximum of 579hp and 1,020Nm of torque on overboost from its four-litre twin-turbo V8, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in a scant 4.9 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

Not that you’d want to go any faster in such a large SUV.

In the interior, a new design for the seat covers emphasises the particularly luxurious character of the Mercedes‑Maybach, while a new standard feature includes ambient lighting with an animated projection of the Mercedes‑Maybach pattern.

Meanwhile, the centre sections of the seat surfaces and backrests now feature high-quality diamond-pattern quilting with specific perforations.

Exclusively for the Mercedes‑Maybach, the colour combinations MANUFAKTUR crystal white/silver grey pearl and MANUFAKTUR mahogany brown/macchiato beige will be offered for the interior.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

The latest Mercedes‑Benz GLS models can be recognised by a striking radiator grille while the four louvres are galvanised in high-quality Silver Shadow. The bumper is now more visually prominent and it features integrated air inlet grilles, combined with a surround in high-gloss black.

The large simulated underguard, which is available as standard equipment, has also been redesigned. The eye-catcher at the rear is the interior of the lights with three horizontal blocks.

Producing a maximum of 401hp and 700Nm of torque on overboost from its three-litre inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC handles the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds and top speed is limited to 250km/h. Plenty fast for local and regional use cases.

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLS is a seven-seater with two new leather colour options, Catalana beige and Bahia brown. The range of interior trim finishes has been revised with glossy brown lime wood as the latest addition to the options available.

The trim element MANUFAKTUR glossy black flowing lines piano lacquer, previously reserved for the Mercedes-Maybach, is now also available for the GLS from Mercedes‑Benz.

The louvres of the centre and side air vents are galvanised in Silver Shadow, another detail that will be familiar from the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

Most drivers of a GLS only travel on paved roads or on easy to moderately difficult off-road terrain. Based on this feedback, Mercedes‑Benz has recompiled the scope of the Off-Road Engineering package, in which components include an underride guard and 30 millimetres more ground clearance.

The new generation of the MBUX infotainment system brings with it a new look for the displays, and it can be individualised with the help of three different styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

With the “Classic” style, the driver opts for the conventional, display design with all the familiar content, while “Sporty” is dominated by the colour red, with a dynamic design for the central rev counter, and when in the “Discreet” style, only the essential content is shown.

In addition, both displays can be shown in seven colour schemes in conjunction with the ambient lighting. The result is an impressive colour experience in the interior, while the central display offers all the same content and can be operated directly and conveniently as a touchscreen.

The “Off-Road Mode” in the current MBUX generation turns special content such as gradient, lateral inclination, compass, and steering angle into a visual experience.

As part of the standard Parking Package with a 360‑degree camera, the car comes with the “transparent bonnet” function, so when the Offroad mode is active, the central display shows a virtual view under the front of the vehicle that is composed of images from the 360°camera.

With the “transparent bonnet”, obstacles such as large stones or deep potholes on the route can be better recognised.

Further new features of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS and Mercedes-Benz GLS include:

• New paint finishes Sodalite Blue Metallic and MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey Solid.
• Latest steering wheel generation with touch controls on the spokes.
• The voice assistant can also be activated without the keyword, “Hey Mercedes”.
• With the MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System, rear-seat occupants experience the same comprehensive range of infotainment and comfort features as those in the front. They can access up to three touchscreens and a variety of intuitive control options such as the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant. * Optional feature for GLS 450 4MATIC
• Two USB ports with 100 W output in the rear of the centre console.
• ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL (optional equipment) with a two-stage filter concept against fine dust and other pollutants.

Photo Credits: Mercedes-Benz Singapore and LinkedIn

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This current seventh-generation RZ34 Fairlady Z has been around since 2022, and Nissan has freshened things up with the 2024 model year. Let’s kick things off with some spice.

The Fairlady Z NISMO’s front grille, front and rear bumpers, fender mouldings, side sill protectors, rear spoiler, and rear LED fog lamps are NISMO exclusive and serve to increase downforce while improving aerodynamic performance.

The front grille mesh, which is also used in the 2024 Nissan GT-R, has a honeycomb design with low airflow resistance and works with the wind-skimming air guide slope to maximize cooling efficiency. The new 19-inch forged aluminium glossy black rims offer better rigidity and weight reduction despite increased rim width.

The interior features exclusive NISMO Recaro sports seats with perforated black Alcantara and leather. Otherwise, things are kept simple and straightforward for the enthusiast to get on with performance driving.

Five body colours, including the NISMO-exclusive two-tone Steel Grey/Super Black, are available.

Engine output from the VR30DDT three-litre twin-turbo V6 sees a bump from 405hp to 420hp, while torque increases from 475Nm to 520Nm for that all-important pep on road and during track days. The NISMO’s 9M-ATx automatic transmission shift response and durability have been improved to let the Z enthusiast flick through the cogs more quickly.

Torsional rigidity of the steering and body, along with improved chassis and traction tuning lets the enthusiast carve out their intended lines more accurately, while NISMO brakes help shed speed before carving corners. Three drive modes, including NISMO’s exclusive SPORT+ mode, help the enthusiast choose the type of driving behaviour that’s desired.

For the regular Fairlady Z, the Japan-market 2024 models feature Amazon Alexa across the board. 432 Orange colour is new and is reminiscent of the Z 432 (S30).

Blue has also been added as a special interior colour for the Version T/ST grade.

If the standard car is insufficient, there is also the Fairlady Z Customized Edition which is a Nissan Genuine Accessory Package. Two packages are available: the entry-level version includes a front bumper with the Fairlady Z emblem, grille, and carbon rear spoiler.

Splash out more for the full package that recreates the model exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2023 and enjoy more goodies including the exclusive 19-inch rims and emblem, bonnet decals, and side body stickers.

Excited yet?

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In one of our Singapore Motorshow 2023 coverage articles earlier this year, we wrote about a Toyota bZ model, the bZ4X, that will not be for sale in Singapore but only made available as part of a car-sharing scheme. bZ (Beyond-Zero) in Toyota-speak refers to their battery electric vehicle (BEV) range, and now there are two new concept cars, unveiled at the 2023 Auto Shanghai, which will likely become a reality in a similar fashion to the bZ4X.

First up in Toyota bZ-land is the Sport Crossover Concept. Based on “‘Reboot,’ which incorporates the idea of a change of pace” when one gets in and starts to drive, clearly it’s aimed at the younger Gen-Z crowd with its sharp and sleek lines.

Gen-Z’ers definitely don’t like things getting staid and stale, so Toyota has engineered the functions of this bZ concept to nicely nestle its occupants. Furthermore, the functions have also been engineered to evolve over time after purchase, such as driver assistance and automatic parking, “so that owners can continuously enjoy a most up-to-date car with all five senses.”

We think it looks cool, never mind that we’re not Gen-Z.

For the more family-oriented prospective BEV buyer, the bZ FlexSpace Concept comes to the fore with its focus on utility and usability.

“Cozy Home” is the theme here, and Toyota’s goal is that of a large cabin space that “families can use safely, comfortably, and freely with peace of mind.” We imagine that this means gizmos to keep the young’uns occupied for longer road trips as well as driving aids that will make the journey that much more enjoyable.

We’re not too sure about the shrubbery on the dashboard though – cue horrifying scenes of wilting and rotting that would make a Greenpeace activist weep copiously. However, if it’s a holographic projection, we say bring it on! Hopefully the instrument cluster and infotainment screens can be holographic projections too *wink wink nudge nudge Scotty beam me up*

China will be the first to get the new Toyota bZ models because these BEVs are being jointly developed by Toyota and BYD for the Sport Crossover Concept, and Toyota and Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) for the FlexSpace Concept. These two models are slated to be launched in China in 2024. Other markets will probably get them sometime thereafter. Toyota aims to launch 10 bZ models in China by 2026.

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