[TusharK]

Mercedes-Benz has launched the third-generation GLS in India. The SUV is available in two variants - GLS 400d and GLS 450. Both variants are priced at Rs. 99.90 lakh (ex-showroom).



The new GLS is based on the Modular High Architecture (MHA). It is longer and wider than the outgoing model and also has a longer wheelbase. It measures 5,207 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,823 mm in height with a wheelbase of 3,135 mm. It gets a redesigned exterior with revised LED headlights and tail lights. The car rides on 21-inch alloy wheels and has air suspension.



On the inside, the GLS comes with three rows of seats, two 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment head-unit, which now gets the MBUX system. It has voice commands and gesture control. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, 5-zone automatic climate control, wireless charging for the front and rear passengers and rear seat entertainment.



The GLS 450 is powered by a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder petrol engine that has a 48 V mild-hybrid system. The combustion engine produces 362 BHP and 500 Nm, while an additional 21 BHP and 250 Nm is available via an EQ Boost feature for a short duration. The GLS 400d is powered by a 2.9-litre, 6-cylinder diesel unit that makes 362 BHP and 700 Nm. Both engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and come with all-wheel drive.

Link to Team-BHP News

[Sahil]

Pricing is as expected, just shy of 1cr. I had expected 99.99L but I am glad they saved the 9k

Happy to see new engines, nearly 100 more BHP and torque compared to the previous gen GLS350d was much needed. We managed to buy one of the last production 2019 GLS 350d few months ago for a great discount but if i had to describe the performance in one word, i would say Sluggish!

The petrol engine this time seems better than the diesel and should prove to be a lot more fun to drive. I hope buyers get over their petrol phobia and change the tide.

[avira_tk]

I guess they launched the GLE400d to make this seem better value, and it is. The diesel is the one to go for, the six cylinder petrol is just adequate, the petrol v8 is not available and its consumption is similar to the 6 cylinder but with much better performance.

Huge SUVs need powerful diesel engines and Mercedes has delivered.

[sebastian5ettel]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

Huge SUVs need powerful diesel engines and Mercedes has delivered.

Absolutely agree! Maybe JLR should learn a thing or a two, and do better than offering a puny 4-cylinder even in cars as big as the Discovery and Velar.

[reignofchaos]

Even though I don't care much about the exterior, that interior looks absolutely smashing.

[fine69]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Even though I don't care much about the exterior, that interior looks absolutely smashing.

Mercedes design team is really rocking it. I think even the exterior has great balance between not being too boxy like the G-wagon or too rounded like the Porsche SUVs, full marks for both exterior, interior and those increased horses!

[Venkatesh]

New-Gen Mercedes-Benz GLS Sold Out For June 2020.

Santosh Iyer, VP Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India said, We started dispatching (the GLS) three days back, so a couple of showrooms closer to Pune, in the West, should have received it, in the balance locations, it's a matter of next 2-3 days.
While he did not give us the booking figures for the GLS, talking about the demand, Iyer said, This month's sales are sold out, so if somebody enquires now, they would be getting mostly deliveries for the next subsequent months.
He also added that the Southern part of India is the biggest market for the GLS, with 37 per cent of the total sales coming in from Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

https://www.carandbike.com/news/new-...e-2020-2247757

[TejasKinger]

Here's a very very interesting observation made by Bertrand Dsouza during the live launch presentation of the Mercedes-Benz GLS: Mercedes-Benz India made no explicit mention of the presence/size of the sunroof. Here's what they focused on instead:

Source

[Tarmac.terrorist]

Originally Posted by TejasKinger

Here's a very very interesting observation made by Bertrand Dsouza during the live launch presentation of the Mercedes-Benz GLS: Mercedes-Benz India made no explicit mention of the presence/size of the sunroof. Here's what they focused on instead:

Source

The 11 usb ports are actually listed as a feature in the brochure.

And the sunroof as expected is a full size panoramic one.

I always prefer to go through the brochure before seeing the poorly written blogs and videos.

[GTO]

Absolutely love the styling! Hope it drives as good as it looks. I expect this beast to take away sales from the S-Class, 7-Series and other 1-crore SUVs too. Wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the no.1 SUV in this class.

Originally Posted by Sahil

Pricing is as expected, just shy of 1cr. I had expected 99.99L but I am glad they saved the 9k

Can someone explain to me how the GLS is cheaper than the S-Class? Usually, the SUV equivalents are more expensive (e.g. Creta vs Verna. X5 vs 5-Series & CR-V vs Civic). How is this one cheaper?

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by GTO

Can someone explain to me how the GLS is cheaper than the S-Class? Usually, the SUV equivalents are more expensive (e.g. Creta vs Verna. X5 vs 5-Series & CR-V vs Civic). How is this one cheaper?

Because its just not good enough. The S-class is a league/segment ahead. Simply because while the GLS tries to have a lot of finesse it also has a lot of utility bits and those just don't gel well always. The S-class is the ultimate luxury sedan, all it focuses on is luxury and oozes finesse in every minor detail.
Let me give you one example, the rear passengers cup holders in the S are in the rear arm rest made in wood finish, they pop up at the touch of a button to make the arm rest design look seamless when cupholder is not in use. Whereas in the GLS the rear passengers cup holders are two big holes made in the back end of the front passengers arm rest. This works better for utility but by no means can be termed luxurious.

Having both the GLS and S-class of the current/previous gen in our family, I can safely say that the GLS being called the S-class of SUVs is a marketing gimmick! The S-class is so far ahead in luxury that the GLS tries to emulate it but just cant come close.

Howeverrrr, the GLS Maybach on the other hand, now thats a competition for the S-class. If that is launched at par price(wishful!)than the regular S, it could steal customers away.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by GTO

Can someone explain to me how the GLS is cheaper than the S-Class? Usually, the SUV equivalents are more expensive (e.g. Creta vs Verna. X5 vs 5-Series & CR-V vs Civic). How is this one cheaper?

The GLS is not the SUV equivalent of the S class actually. The GLS is a derivative of the GLE and from beginning was conceptualized to suit the American taste for big SUVs since they felt the GLE wasnt big enough and not as a big brother of the S class. Hence the internal architecture, electronics, system design is all based on the GLE itself and not the S Class which is far superior in terms of the creature comforts. Hence, the pricing follows the same pattern, it is just a little more than the GLE.

The GLS Maybach is definitely a different ball game mainly because of the Maybach effect and hence it might be a competitor to the S Class Maybach. But in terms of the product portfolio, it is still a bigger GLE.

[Sahil]

Got some images, price list and brochure from a local dealer this morning

Originally Posted by Sahil

Let me give you one example, the rear passengers cup holders in the S are in the rear arm rest made in wood finish, they pop up at the touch of a button to make the arm rest design look seamless when cupholder is not in use. Whereas in the GLS the rear passengers cup holders are two big holes made in the back end of the front passengers arm rest. This works better for utility but by no means can be termed luxurious.

Further to this, I would like to add that the brochure mentions there is no real leather seats in this car. Whereas the S comes with nappa leather! I rest my case

[apurva512]

Very weird pricing from Mercedes, considering they priced the gle450 at 88.9 and gle400d at 89.9 lakhs. Why would anyone buy that over the gls now?

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by Sahil

GI would like to add that the brochure mentions there is no real leather seats in this car. Whereas the S comes with nappa leather

If I am not mistaken, even S-Class used to get artificial leather for a long time.

One very important missing feature on most of these SUVs, GLE, GLS & X5 is Seat cooling/ ventilation. Only X7 gets in the front.

Otherwise, they have priced it well and will give serious competition to X7, which was enjoying a free run until now.

I agree this can be the largest selling SUV in the premium class.




Dash looks premium and well proportioned to size of the vehicle. Notice the large AC vents.




Dual Screen looks better than the BMW arrangement.



Rear passengers get a Tablet like S Class and recline seats as well option to adjust the front passenger seat.



3rd row appears to be reasonable.

pics - forward from a BMW group