Ever since Mercedes revealed the Ultimate Luxury concept a year and a half ago in Beijing, we've been anticipating it to roll out a Maybach version of its flagship crossover. And soon, according to the latest intel, that particular wait will be over.

Autocar reports that Mercedes will roll out the Maybach version of the GLS-Class crossover before the end of this year, taking aim directly at the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and the top versions of Land Rover's flagship Range Rover in the expanding market for ever-more-luxurious sport-utes.

Details remain few and far between, but Maybach's first foray into the luxury crossover market is expected to carry over from the "standard" Mercedes GLS just revealed a few months ago in New York. It will get some cosmetic upgrades to set it apart, though, and an even more upscale interior befitting the Maybach brand.

Rumor has it that the Maybach GLS could stretch out on a wheelbase even longer than the existing version's 123.4-inch base to provide more rear-seat space. And it could even adopt a V12 engine – something which Mercedes has been reserving specifically for Maybach models.

Since relaunching as a sub-brand in the wake of the failed Maybach 57 and 62 limousines, Daimler's most upscale property has offered essentially three models: the core S-Class limo, and the limited-production S650 Cabriolet and G650 Landaulet. Though the latter, based on the G-Class, was Maybach's first SUV, the new GLS will be its first crossover, and potentially its most commodious model yet.

Mercedes set the stage for its arrival with the aforementioned Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury concept in Beijing in April 2018, but the production model will likely abandon the concept's trunk in favor of the GLS' more conventional wagon-style roofline.