Mercedes-Benz GLS
Mercedes-Benz GLSPR handout

German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz launched its flagship SUV, the GLS, priced at Rs. 80.40 lakh, ex-showroom. The GLS is the previous GL-Class, renamed after the company started a new nomenclature system for cars last year. The GLS is the SUV equivalent of the flagship S-Class sedan.

In the new makeover, the GLS gets a new front in line with the new brand design language. The new twin slat grille sports a more imposing three-point star logo. The redesigned headlamp incorporates LED daytime running lights. The front and rear bumpers have been tweaked, there are new body colours as well as new alloy wheel designs. The basic silhouette of the SUV remains unchanged and only subtle changes can be found on the exterior.

The centre console boasts of a standalone tablet-sized 8-inch screen with touchpad control. A new 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel covered in Nappa leather also comes in the GLS. The Dynamic Select provides five driving modes that can be selected according to the terrain. In addition to the currently available comfort, slippery and sport driving modes, the GLS will also feature individual and off-road modes. 

On the safety front, the GLS is packed with collision prevention assist, crosswind assist, attention assist, Pre-Safe, Brake Assist, cruise control, ESP and electronic AWD traction system with 4ETS.

The new GLS in the GLS350d 4MATIC trim is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine that develops 255bhp at 3,400rpm and 620Nm of torque in the range of 1600 to 2400rpm. This engine will be mated to nine-speed automatic transmission instead of seven-speed automatic gearbox. The SUV weighs a mammoth 2455kg, but the engine accelerates the vehicle to sprint 0-100kmph in 7.8 seconds. The SUV has top speed of 222kmph.

The SUV measures 5,130mm in length, which is more than the length of the S-Class. It comes with 2,141mm width and 3,075mm wheelbase. The GLS has 100-litres fuel tank capacity and 680-litres of boot capacity. When third row seats are folded the boot capacity increases to 2300-litres. The SUV will be locally assembled at company's Indian manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.