Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Mercedes-Benz South Africa pulled the wraps off its new GLS luxury SUV.
Hailed as the S-Class of SUVs, Mercedes-Benz hopes its new model will set new standards in the luxury SUV market.
Imposing exterior
The new SUV has a revised exterior and interior - redesigned bumpers, new head and tailights, chromed details such as the roof rails, underbody protection, beltline trim strips, luggage compartment handle and side-sill trim.
Read: Merc's stylish new C-Class Coupe driven
The optional AMG Line Exterior comprises of specific front and rear bumpers, running boards, wheel arch flares painted in the vehicle’s colour and 21" AMG light-alloy wheels. For more exclusivity, the Night Package is available in conjunction with this package.
Upgraded interior
Inside, it gains a new instrument panel with Media Display, the new 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel, modified centre console with touchpad and new colours and trim elements.
According to Mercedes SA, the new GLS "boasts ample elbow and headroom in all three seat rows" and has a cargo volume of 680 to 2300 litres (with the seats folded). The load compartment has a maximum length of 2124mm, as well as a payload capacity of up to 795kg.
New GLS: the measurements you need to know
• Length 5130mm
• Width 1934mm
• Height 1850mm
• Wheelbase 3075mm
Tech and features
Driver assistance systems fitted as standard include Collision Prevention Assist Plus, and Crosswind Assist and Attention Assist. Other systems are the Pre-Safe system, the electronic all-wheel drive traction system, ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist, cruise control with Speedtronic variable speed limiter, and the steering assist function Steer Control.
The optional Driver Assistance package Plus includes Distronic Plus with Stop&Go Pilot, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist, to mention a few.
Night-time vision is improved by standard LED Intelligent Light System, while adverse weather conditions are defused by the heated adaptive windscreen wiper system, says Mercedes-Benz.
The optional Airmatic air suspension can raise the GLS’s ride height to 306mm, which results in a wading depth of up to 600mm.
Power to shred tar
The V8 biturbo GLS 500 4MATIC generates 335kW (15kW more than before) and a peak torque of 700Nm.
As the superior top-of-the-line model of the series, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC is now rated at 430kW, up by more than 20kW from its predecessor. The peak torque of 760Nm is now already available from as low as 1750 r/min. Despite a significant increase in performance, fuel consumption remains unchanged.
Alongside the petrol engines, in the GLS 350 d 4MATIC there is the choice of the proven V6 diesel engine rated at 190kW and with ample torque of 620Nm.
All versions feature a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission as standard (except the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63), with a low-range gearbox and centre differential lock as option.
Max Vogt, product manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "With the new GLS, Mercedes-Benz now offers the newest and most comprehensive premium SUV range ever.
"The portfolio now ranges from the compact GLA and the new best-selling GLC to the successful GLE family, the GLE Coupé and GLS, and the flagship of all Mercedes-Benz SUVs, the G-Class."
Prices
GLS 350 d 4MATIC - R1 283 900
GLS 500 4MATIC - R1 444 400
GLS 63 4MATIC - R2 469 900
All models are offered with a six-year/100 000km maintenance plan.
