Mercedes-Benz today launched the 2020 GLS in India for an introductory starting price of Rs 99.90 lakh and its a significant departure from the older model and has been built completely new from grounds up.
Mercedes-Benz has launched their flagship SUV in India, the all-new GLS, for an introductory price starting from Rs 99.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This all-new Mercedes GLS is now in its third generation and it was internationally revealed in April last year. The GLS is a proper full-size three-row uber luxurious SUV that has been launched in India in two variants – the GLS 400d and the GLS 450 petrol – both priced at Rs 99.90 lakh.
The new GLS is based on Mercedes’ Modular High Architecture (MHA) platform and its considerably larger than the model it replaces. In terms of dimensions, the new GLS measures 5,207mm in length, 1,999mm in width, 1,823mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,135mm. That makes it 77mm longer and 22mm wider than the previous car. The wheelbase is also sufficiently longer by 60mm. And if you remember the last-gen GLS, you’d know it was no less than a behemoth.
In terms of design, the SUV has a typical Mercedes-Benz look with familiar looking headlamps, dual-slated grille, and identifiable bumpers. The rear profile looks a lot similar to the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, only much bulkier. The SUV sits on huge 21-inch wheels and while there’s not much bling on the SUV like the BMW X7, it still has a very commanding presence just by its size. It sure wouldn’t miss your eye when it goes down the road. It also does not look very similar to the new GLE and evidently its elder cousin and that’s a great thing. Even without much bling, people will know that kind of money you have spent on this flagship Mercedes SUV, don’t worry.
Under the hood, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is powered by a diesel and a petrol engine. In the GLS 400d, there’s a 3.0-litre, inline-six diesel engine under the hood that puts out 330hp and 700Nm of torque. Mercedes claims that this engine can haul this 2.4 tonne SUV from naught to 100 kph in just 6.3 seconds. There’s also a 3.0L, inline six-cylinder petrol engine that makes 367hp and 500Nm of torque. This engine also comes mated to a 48V mild-hybrid system that additionally produces 22hp and 250Nm of torque. The GLS 450 does the 0-100kph sprint in a claimed 6.2 secs. Both engines come mated to Mercedes’ 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox with power being sent to all four wheels via Mercedes’ latest 4Matic four-wheel-drive system.
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This being the flagship Mercedes SUV, it comes absolutely loaded with features and goodies to really make it the S-Class of SUVs. Notable features include twin 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and instrument cluster with Mercedes’ latest MBUX multimedia system. It now even comes with voice command and gesture control. There’s also a panoramic sunroof, five-zone automatic climate control, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless charging at the front and rear, LED headlamps, rear seat entertainment screens, 21-inch alloys and air suspension. There’s even a button in the boot to fold down all seats to liberate 2,400 liters of space. There are as many as 11 USB ports in the new GLS.
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Safety features on the new Mercedes-Benz GLS include 9 airbags, blind spot assist, off-road ABS, hill-descent control, active brake assist, a 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors. While the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS competes with a lot of SUVs in a similar price bracket in India, the most direc competitor the GLS has in India is the BMW X7. Launched just some time ago, the X7 is marginally smaller than the GLS and is priced at Rs 92.50 lakh. Just like the GLS, the X7 too gets similar petrol and diesel options here in India.
