Mercedes-Benz GLS
The S-class of SUVs driven
In its first two generations the big truck-like SUV had barely any competition outside of the Americas because of its unique size with most of the other 7-seater SUVs being considerably smaller. However, with home grown competition coming from its biggest rival, Mercedes had to up the game considerably to match up and the resultant third generation GLS is being called the S-class of SUVs by the manufacturer, and not without reason as the new S that was added to its name after the mid-life facelift of the 2nd generation GL comes from the S-class. But has the big question remained whether the hulk had also upped the game in the on-road driving dynamics sweepstakes. We had previously driven a second generation GL all the way from Stuttgart in Germany to Pune in India and on the way had crossed some of the harshest terrain in the mountains of Kyrgystan as well as the highlands of Tibet and the mountains between Nepal and Tibet and were delighted not only by its all-round abilities as well as by the comfort it offered its occupants. So on one side, the 3rd generation car has a lot to match up to given its legacy but also expand its repertoire.
To start off, the earlier generation GLs were big but the new GLS is even bigger. Not only is it longer by 77mm than its predecessor but it also has a 60mm larger wheelbase and is 22mm wider. For those who thought that the GLS was already too big, there is a surprise in store – the bigger dimensions do not in fact lead to the same impression. The new GLS has adopted the same design philosophy first seen on the GLC and now on the GLE which means that the face is narrower and the rear is also smoother. On the front, to retain boldness, the grille is upright and the bonnet has two power domes while there is a skid plate that wraps itself up from under the air dam up to below the grille to re-emphasize the SUVs off-road antecedents. The GLS gets multibeam LED headlamps up front while the two-part tail lamps at the rear are also LED with a 3-dimensional look. The GLS can accommodate upto 23in wheels though the cars we drive had smaller shoes.
While the looks have become softer and less brutish with better proportions and less intimidation, the interiors have also undergone a sea change towards opulence and sophistication. Gone is the complicated dashboard and instead comes a setup based around the two 12.3in high definition displays, one of which makes up the instrument panel and the other the infotainment system touchscreen. The seats themselves are new and enhance comfort, the increase in wheelbase has also resulted in a cabin that is opulent and
functional, with space enough even for adults in the third row, with all the seats being controlled electrically and with myriad options available, the seats can also be all dropped at the touch of a button revealing a flat loading area of 2400 litres. The 2nd row can be electrically moved by 10cm, and can also be purchased as two individual seats or a 60:40 split bench, increasing the flexibility of the SUV.
Not only does the GLS get the new MBUX system as an interface between man and machine but it gets an updated one with 40 new functions including the seat adjusting itself on the input of the height of the driver. Also a big leap forward is in the off-road functions which make use of the surround cameras to give a view of areas one can not see in front of the vehicle to simulate a looking through the bonnet feeling as well as the multiple articulation displays.
Under the hood the GLS gets a choice of petrol and diesel inline-6 engines with the range topping V8 now with just under 500bhp. Both the petrol engines get the EQ Boost system with energy recuperation and the provision of an extra 22bhp when needed. We however drove the inline 6 diesel engine that comes in two states of tune as the 350d and the 400d. These are from the new family of OM656 engines that Mercedes launched with the S-class facelift in India last year. The in the higher state of tune the OM656 engine churns out max power of 330bhp as opposed to the 242bhp of the 350d as well as 700Nm of peak torque as opposed to 600Nm from the 350d.
With addition of the electronically controlled new air suspension as well as all the features that we have already seen in the new GLE, the GLS not only has the capability but the wow factor as well. While it may not be used for offroading at all, the new GLS is even more capable off-road then its earlier sibling.
Behind the wheel one is struck by the fantastic drivability of this family of engines. Not only is the new GLS quick in a straight line, it, for a change shows some willingness to go around corners as well. With the CURVE function, the suspension can counter the turns thereby eliminating body roll totally no matter how fast one is going round corners. While this is unnerving for the drivers, it will be a great feature for the chauffeur-driven GLS SUVs, of which most in India will be.
If the GLS was a very comfortable vehicle to be in earlier, it is even more so and the levels of comfort and convenience have risen to a new level with the GLS. It is surprisingly maneuverable despite the increase in its length and with added assistance features, it does not feel like a large car, whether it is to park or to drive.