SPY PICS: LA debut for Mercedes-Benz GLS

The formal unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz GLS is fast approaching – and it's not being held back for Detroit in January as previously reported, it will be seen in public for the first time at the LA motor show near the end of November.

Pictured here with almost no disguise remaining, the GLS – a facelift of the GL-Class to highlight its flagship status shared with the S-Class range – is believed to be a mild technical update, carrying over much of the existing drivetrain and underpinnings. However, it is now well established through confirmation from multiple Benz execs that the GLS will spawn a hyper-luxury variant branded Mercedes-Maybach, to complement the S-Class branded thus.

You'll have to look hard to spot the differences between the GLS pictured here and the pre-facelift GL. The bonnet pressing IS different, with sculpture lines set further apart, and different curving for the shut lines around the headlights. Mercedes-Benz designers have restyled those same headlights, which now feature a distinct corner in the top/inboard section and likely incorporate the LED daytime running lights that were previously located in the front bumper. Both the bumper and the lower airdam are new too.

Benz will continue to build the GL(S) at its Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama. It's expected to arrive in Australia next year, with the Maybach version – if it gets a guernsey for Australia – will not likely arrive here before 2018.