HAMBURG (DPA) ― Land Rover and Mercedes are planning new models of their Range Rover and GL models next year, with increased demand for large, luxury sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in China and Russia, Germany’s Autobild newspaper reports.

The new Mercedes GL, built on the basis of the M-Class, is expected to be ready early next year, with only small changes to the exterior, the report said.

Both the Mercedes GL and the new Range Rover, which is expected to weigh some 300 kilograms less than the predecessor model, would come out with significantly more fuel-efficient engines, the report said.

Apart from the available six and eight-cylinder engines, Land Rover is also planning a four cylinder linked to an electric hybrid engine for 2013, the report said.