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Mercedes GLS reimagined in glossy CGI
Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on bold front-end design, and a recent CGI preview imagines how that direction could translate to the next-generation GLS full-size luxury SUV. Digital artist Sugardesign_1 has blended elements from the new GLC with EQ Technology and the futuristic Vision Iconic concept to produce a high-riding, lavish GLS render that highlights the automaker's oversized, illuminated grille language.
Why the grille fight matters
While rivals like BMW and Lexus have been slimming grille footprints to show restraint, Mercedes has pursued an opposite path: larger, more expressive faces fitted with advanced lighting. The GLC with EQ Technology introduced a new illuminated grille motif featuring a wide chrome surround, an outlined contour, and up to 942 integrated LED pixels that can display animations and a lit central star. Those details are now influencing conversations about the brand's design DNA and how it might appear on flagship SUVs.
The Vision Iconic grand tourer, revealed in October, made many skeptics rethink the oversized grille. The concept married classic cues from the 300 SL Gullwing with contemporary tech, and its shield-type grille leaned into heritage references such as the W100 600 Pullman and the W123 'Cobra' series. That willingness to fuse retro elegance with modern LED lighting is what fuels speculative CGI like the GLS render.
What the CGI GLS shows
Sugardesign_1's interpretation imagines a fourth-generation GLS with the following visual and tech cues:
- A broad, chrome-framed illuminated grille with subtle pixel detailing
- A high, coupe-like roofline blended with boxy SUV proportions to preserve interior space
- Luxurious paint finishes in deep metallic shades and contrast trim
- Slim, continuous LED light signatures and animated lighting routines
The render leans on the Vision Iconic's dramatic presence while keeping the practicality expected of a full-size luxury crossover. It suggests a vehicle that would compete directly with premium rivals on both design and technological capability.
Under the skin: tech expectations
The Vision Iconic prototype previewed several advanced systems that could trickle down into future Mercedes models. These include Level 4 autonomous driving hardware, neuromorphic computing to give the AI faster, brain-like processing for sensor fusion and decision-making, and even solar coatings to slightly extend electric range. While those items are concept-stage, they signal Mercedes-Benz's broader strategy to pair striking design with next-generation vehicle technology.
Market timing and positioning
The current GLS debuted in 2019 and received a mid-cycle refresh for 2024, so a full redesign around the 2027 or 2028 model year would fit normal product cycles. A new GLS would need to balance heritage luxury buyers who value presence and refinement with modern customers demanding electrified powertrains, advanced driver assistance, and digital experiences.
Comparisons to BMW's compact EVs and Lexus SUVs emphasize different philosophies: BMW trimming grilles to project efficiency and sportiness, Lexus refining surfaces for sharpness, and Mercedes embracing grandeur. The question for Mercedes is whether buyers will continue to reward visual assertiveness paired with high-tech features.
"CGI previews are not blueprints, but they influence expectations," notes one industry watcher. "A bold grille can be polarizing, yet it also creates instant brand recognition."
Final thought
Sugardesign_1's render is a stylish what-if that merges the GLC EQ lighting language with the Vision Iconic's theatrical flair. It does not confirm production details, but it does show how Mercedes-Benz could translate concept drama into a flagship GLS. Whether the company follows this route remains to be seen, but the conversation around grille design, lighting technology, and luxury SUV positioning is only getting louder.
So, do you like the oversized illuminated grille on a flagship GLS, or would you prefer a more restrained approach?
Source: autoevolution
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