Mercedes-Maybach previews Beijing-bound concept

Is this our first look at Mercedes\' answer to the Bentayga?

Mercedes-Maybach has released a teaser video to preview its next concept car. The yet-unnamed model will be one of the stars of the upcoming Beijing auto show.

Published on the company's official Facebook page, the video reveals little about the concept car's size or body style. Instead, it focuses on the interior, which is draped in leather upholstery (some of it perforated and diamond-stitched) and accented by numerous chromed parts. Maybach promises the design study will be "luxury at its finest."

We'll have to wait until the Beijing show opens its doors to learn more details. However, earlier rumors claim the concept will be a Maybach-branded variant of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS dressed up as a futuristic design study for the auto show circuit.

The Benz and Maybach variants will share the same basic body and many mechanical components, but the Maybach model will receive design changes on both ends. It will also offer a considerably more luxurious interior that will be available with four, five, or seven seats. It looks like the Beijing-bound concept only has four seats.

Building a tech-free luxury car isn't possible these days. To that end, the concept will also preview many of the semi-autonomous driving functions that will seep down into the production model.

If Maybach is indeed about to show its take on the next GLS, the model won't remain a concept for long. Sources close to the brand previously revealed the Maybach GLS will arrive as a production model later this year at the Los Angeles auto show. When it lands, it will compete in the same segment as the Bentley Bentayga and the upcoming Rolls-Royce Cullinan.