India-bound Mercedes-Benz GLS spotted in production-ready guise

-    The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is likely to debut at the upcoming New York Motor Show.

-    Will come with new styling and added equipment with revised powertrain options.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLS was caught testing once again – and perhaps for the last time – ahead of its official debut which is slated for the 2019 New York Motor Show. The big SUV from Mercedes stable has lost all its camouflage save for some scanty covering in the bids to hide the headlights and taillights.

The updated GLS adopts redesigned headlights which are as large as before but its design has been adapted to match the new family face. The imposing grille gets silver finished louvres while the lower bumper is dominated by massive air intakes and slotted bash plate. The sculpted hood and the flared arches add to the necessary masculinity to the mammoth SUV. But the profile remains more or less unchanged with silver contrast roof rails and simple looking alloy wheels. 

However, things are interesting at the rear. For the first time, we get a clear view of the taillights, which contrary to the older models, is very sleek in design. It is as sleek as the ones seen on the coupe-SUV models like the GLE Coupe and GLC Coupe. There are faux exhaust tips seen finished in chrome with a silver colour skid plate. 

Based on the new MHA platform, the GLS looks to have retained its humongous dimensions. The new architecture will also help the SUV cut down its weight while the third-row passengers get improved space at the back. Being the SUV equivalent of the S-Class, the GLS will have the same level of opulence on the inside. There will be the wide-screen MBUX system making its way into the GLS apart from the new steering wheel and four air-con vents dominating the dashboard.

Under the hood, we expect the new range of inline-six motors with options of V8s propelling the SUV. More potent AMG spec will come with 4.0-litre V8 while a 53 model is also on the cards with a hybrid powertrain. We have also spotted a Maybach which will surely join the range at a later date. 

When it arrives, the new GLS will rival the likes of Range Rover SV Autobiography LWB and the Bentley Bentayga apart from the India-bound BMW X7 and other full-size American SUVs.