YOUR WEEKLY MOTORING SECTION Benz’s big daddy
TO MAKE this easier for all of us, and to not waste time by getting into the nittygritty of Mercedes’ newage naming strategy, just know that the new GLS-Class launched in South Africa last week is a facelifted version of the previous GL.
The additional letter is there to help nail down the fact that this is the big daddy of Merc’s SUV range – out-sizing the GLE (formerly ML) by 30cm in length and 5cm in height. But don’t underestimate those deceptive dimensions.
Park this 5.1 metre long monster alongside the next model downrange (or almost any SUV on the market for that matter) and the GLS stands like a rugby lock next to a scrumhalf. An A-Class would cower in fear, and a new Smart would piddle itself.
Like the GL there are seven seats inside this immense cabin, but not at all like those emergency jump seats folded up in the back of a Fortuner.
Fully-grown human beings can actually sit here without fear of deep vein thrombosis, and in true luxury-liner style they’ll raise and lower electronically.
When in stowed mode there’s a huge 680-litre boot, and with the second row folded flat maximum boot space is a massive 2 300 litres. This super-size cargo hold is also more than 2.1 metres long, meaning Eben Etzebeth and Victor Matfield could both lie down comfortably at the back.
Though they probably wouldn’t. Not together anyway.
The GLS’s interior is basically just a spruced-up version of the GL’s with a dash-top display, centre console and instrument cluster all getting slight once-overs.
Much of the infotainment, climate control and window switchgear is carried over, but a curved touch-pad familiar to latest C, E and S-Classes is now mounted in the console for greater functionality of the most current generation Comand Online system.
The central multimedia display has grown to eight inches, and now gets the same stand-alone tablet-like look as other Mercedes models.
There are three varieties of GLS in our market, starting with a 350d turbodiesel, moving up to a 500 turbopetrol and topping off with a barking mad 63 AMG (see sidebar).
The 350d makes use of the same 190kW/620Nm 3-litre V6 as the previous GL, but the 4.7-litre twinturbo V8 in the 500 gains 15kW (to 335kW), while torque remains at 700Nm.
Both get new 9G-Tronic ninespeed autoboxes to replace the GL’s seven speeders.
Air suspension comes standard in all derivatives, and works together with Dynamic Select to alter the big brute’s personality at the twist of a dial.
At the Kruger Park-based media launch I opted for Comfort mode most often, as this softened setting seemed best suited for the pockmarked roads in the area.
In Comfort the GLS hovers along with a glide to rival the most luxurious sedans, but can also morph into a pseudo performance vehicle when in Sport or Sport+ modes.
Okay, it’ll never really challenge a Fiesta ST in fast switchbacks, but can hunker down and hug the surface on smooth sweeping bends if so desired.
The Airmatic system can also raise and lower the ride height at the push of a button when fitted with an optional Offroad package – a function most useful for tackling rough terrain.
Yes, this is a genuine offroader keen to trundle deep bush if need be, and if it weren’t for its relatively long three-metre wheelbase, shiny chrome running board trims and glossy paint jobs which can cost up to R21 500 extra, I’d have no problem choosing this vehicle for Africa-crossing expeditions.
The Offroad package also means a proper low-range transfer case is mated to the ninespeed gearbox, effectively offering 18 ratios in total.
It also unlocks extra features such as hill descent (and ascent) control, and added Dynamic Select options for slippery surfaces.
With the Offroad pack specified the GLS gets ground clearance of 306mm, and can wade through water up to 600mm deep.
Wheel sizes are either 19 or 20 inches, but stick to smaller rims if you’re planning any trips to Egypt.
Also, keep in mind that the spare is a tiny space-saver wheel which wouldn’t be an ideal replacement in the outback.
The GLS 350d is priced at R1 290 626, and the GLS 500 is R1 459 676.
The Offroad package is priced at R26 000.