MERCEDES-BENZ SUV RANGE
Usually when manufacturers organise launch events for their vehicles, the activities of the day give you a rough idea of what the car’s highlights are. When I saw offroad courses and skid pans on the agenda, it immediately became clear what message Mercedes-Benz wanted to send at the launch of their SUV range.
On the day, we were treated to the entire SUV range that Mercedes has to offer, save for the new electric EQC. On site were the new GLA, GLB, the GLE 400d Coupé, G 400d, the new GLS and the rowdy AMG GLC 63S Coupé. It is a pretty bold move pitting your smaller SUVs against the best you have to offer. Only a brand with faith in their products would arrange something like this and, as we soon found out, Mercedes-Benz is justified in this faith.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA
If you are looking to get into that Mercedes SUV action, then this is the cheapest way to go about it. Based on the popular A-Class hatch, the GLA is the entry level Merc SUV. While the original GLA looked like an A-Class on stilts, the refreshed model has a bit more SUV DNA. It is shorter and narrower than the previous model, has a taller roofline and increased ground clearance. In addition to increased seating space and practicality, it also gains more off-roading abilities than its predecessor. The car comes with two engine options together with an option of either front wheel drive or 4matic. On the one hand, you can have the GLA 200 driven by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with 120 kW and 250 Nm mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. On the other, you can opt for the GLA 200d powered by a 1.95-litre turbodiesel engine producing 110 kW and 320 Nm with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.2 l/100 km.
THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ GLB
The GLB is still in the compact SUV segment and, as suggested by its conspicuous naming, the brand new GLB is sandwiched between the GLA and the GLC. While based on the B-Class MPV, the GLB is 215 mm longer, 38 mm wider and 101 mm taller. It is also substantially visually different from the car it is based on, sporting a boxier look. Look at it from the right angle and the GLB is a dead ringer for a baby GLS. A bit of a head scratcher at first, the seven-seater GLB is brilliant for someone looking for that extra bit of practicality that you cannot get from either the GLA or the GLC. Available for testing was the GLB 220d 4matic which produces 140 kW and 400 Nm from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Mercedes-Benz claims it will do 5.4 l/100 km.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLE
Further up the range we have the GLE, which provides a mid-sized SUV to Mercs’ line-up. It comes in either the standard SUV shape, or the coupé form which is slowly becoming a trend with these German manufacturers. E-Class levels of luxury and refinement should be expected as suggested by the name. Ready for our enjoyment was the GLE 400d Coupé. This car comes attached to a potent six-cylinder turbodiesel engine that delivers 243 kW and 700 Nm of torque to the wheels through the 4matic system. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4 l/100 km, which might be hard to achieve when exploiting the car’s 5.7 second zero to 100 km sprint figures!
MERCEDES-BENZ GLS
The GLS is the full sized SUV offering from Mercedes-Benz. This seven-seater behemoth is the closest the GLS range has been to deserving the “S” in its name. While not on par with the S-Class’ refinement and luxury, the GLS comes pretty damn close. Parked next to the other Merc SUVs, the GLS looks every bit as imposing as a range topper should. We were treated to the GLS 400d and I sampled the GLS 580, which boasts a twinturbo 4.0-litre V8 with EQ Boost hybrid technology, producing 360 kW (+16 kW from the EQ system) and 700 Nm. Despite having a V8 lugging around all that heft, the car boasts a claimed fuel consumption figure of 10.1 l/100 km.
THE GELÄNDEWAGEN
The G-Class needs no introduction. From movies to music videos, this bad boy has cemented itself as a highly coveted pop culture icon. The squared off boxy design has survived for generations despite having the aerodynamic efficiency of a boulder. Carried over generations, are class leading offroading capabilities that are sadly rarely exploited by people rich enough to buy these things. We made do with a G 400d “Stronger Than time” edition which was powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder turbodiesel motor with 243 kW and 700 Nm, much like the one found in the GLE 400d. The manufacturer claims you can achieve 8.9 l/100 km in this shed. Hmmm.
THE ODDBALL
As a special treat, Mercedes threw in the new AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic+. This beast is powered by an obscene twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing
375 kW, along with a peak torque figure of 700 Nm. With impressive figures such as a zero to 100 km/hr sprint time of 3.8 seconds, this SUV was there to showcase a different flavour of Mercedes-Benz compared to the more conservative models at the event. The boys and girls at Affalterbach were well represented.
4MATIC TO THE WORLD
All of the vehicles were able to complete the offroad course with relative ease, though, of course, the larger SUVs were easily able to outshine the smaller ones. Let’s face it, the GLA and the GLB are not the sort of vehicles bought by people who take off-roading seriously, however, it is nice to know that should the need arise, these cars will be able to handle their own off-road.
The GLE and the GLS performed as expected, benefitting more from the higher road clearance and more powerful engines. The higher driver position offered a more commanding position that gives a reassuring view out of the vehicle on the move.
Taking the G-Class off-road was purely gratuitous. The G-Class abilities off-road need no demonstration. Despite the G 400d not being the chest haired G63 AMG, we effortlessly manoeuvred the beast around the off-road track, enjoying the free delights of automotive journalism.
At the end of the day, it was apparent that in as much as Merc was introducing their new SUV range, they were also taking the time to show off the brilliant Mercedes 4Matic system. The system, through electric wizardry, prioritises traction and sends the right amount of power to the wheel that needs it the most. To get the most out of the 4Matic system, one simply has to engage Off-road mode through the Dynamic Select system which optimises the engine, transmission and stability mode to adjust the vehicle for off-roading. In the end, all you have to do as a driver was to work the gas and brake pedals, with the car’s systems doing all the hard work.
LAST WORD
Mercedes-Benz is clearly bracing itself up for the steep rise in demand for SUVs in recent years. For every family car segment that the marque caters for, best believe there is an SUV version available. While the line-up seems convoluted at first, this strategy provides for niches that will soon grow into main stream markets. The SUVs we tested are not only technically impressive off-road, but also manage to provide versatility without sacrificing the trademark MercedesBenz build quality and refinement. These are cars that are as comfortable and capable off-road as they are on-road. If Springbok captain Siya Kolisi accepted the role of Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador and drives a Merc daily, then the man is certainly living the Mercedes Benz motto – “The Best or Nothing”!