Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz has put its flagship SUV, the GL under the knife and the first noticeable change is the new name – the GLS. The seven-seater SUV will now fall in line with the German manufacturer’s new system of nomenclature where the segments are defined as A, B, C, E and S and the SUVs get the ‘GL’ tag added to the segment. The GLS gets cosmetic updates both internally and externally while under the skin it is the same reliable GL.

Exterior

The Mercedes-Benz GLS retains the overall shape as the current GL but gets new front and rear bumpers. The LED headlamps now resemble the S-Class and gets twin barrel headlights. The LED daytime running lamps have become a signature for the three-pointed-star. The high-mounted large front grille has been reworked with vented slats while the bash plate extends further up towards the grille as compared to the current car. The bonnet creases have grown apart and the overall look is butch. The side profile remains the same except for the new set of multi-spoke alloy wheels. The tail lamp internals have been reworked and a chrome strip has been added to the tail gate.

Interior

The dashboard layout has been continued from the GL but not without tweaks. The AC vents have been rounded around the edges and the COMAND gets a bigger tablet-like display screen. The COMAND controller has been taken over from the new C-Class with the touch panel leaning over the rotary knob. The steering is now three-spoke with the layout of the steering-mounted controls being updated as per the latest design. It also gets push-button start. Electrically operated panoramic sunroof, power adjustable front seats with memory function, recline adjustable rear seats, a dual zone climate control with separate zone for the rear passenger et al continue to be a part of the long feature list.

On the safety front, you have nine airbags including dual front airbags and full length curtain airbags. The electronic stability program gets traction-control, hill-hold and hill-descent with the standard ABS, EBD and brake assist. The GL also offers driving modes like comfort, sport and dynamic with economy mode which activates the engine start-stop function.

Engine and gearbox

While the GLS globally will be offered with five engine options, the India-spec GLS is offered with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel which produces 258bhp and 619Nm of torque. It gets a seven-speed AT and 4MATIC AWD system. It also gets ride height adjustment for off-road driving and can be operated electronically. The standard GLS will be followed by the GLS63 AMG which will make use of the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 550bhp and is mated to the 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT transmission.

Price and competition

The GLS will take on the new Audi Q7 which was launched last year, the new generation Volvo XC90 and the BMW X5 with the seven seats option. The GLS still is the most spacious when it comes to the third row of seats.