Mercedes-Benz Launches the New GLS in Singapore

Improving upon the strengths of the Mercedes-Benz GL, Mercedes-Benz releases its all-new GLS SUV. Designed to be the "S-Class among SUVs", the GLS combines spaciousness and luxury with comfort, safety, and top-notch road performance.

Here is a quick rundown on the GLS' proportions:

Length: 5130mm

Width: 1934mm

Height: 1850mm

Wheelbase: 3075mm

The new generation GLS has a luxurious look, featuring chrome details on the roof rails, underbody protection, beltline trim strips, luggage compartment handle, and the side sill trim to serve as highlights. The sporty look of the AMG Line exterior is comprised of special front and rear bumpers, running boards, wheel arch flairs, and even 53.3cm (21 inch) AMG light alloy wheels. An optional Night package is also available for a more exclusive look.

For an even more individualised look, the GLS is available in various standard and metallic finishes, including the special edition designo diamond white and – debuting for the GLS – designo hyacinth red, as well as a fine range of light-alloy wheels featuring a variety of designs.

The GLS' exudes the feeling of luxury inside out, with improving upon it's predecessor's interior design that boasts an S-Class standard among SUVs. The GLS can provide plenty of elbow and headroom for up to seven passengers in all three seat rows, thanks to optimal seat row spacing and shoulder room, which is one of the strengths of the model series. The seats are highly adjustable, and the centre row allows a high degree of flexibility, including a cargo position that gives the GLS a maximum cargo volume of 2300 litres, a load compartment of up to 2,124mm, and a payload capacity of 815kg – greater than anything offered by its competitors.

Another notable feature is the 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel clad in nappa leather. The steering wheel is equipped with gearshift paddles, 12 function keys, an airbag cover (also in nappa leather), instruments with modified details, and an all-new instrument panel with semi-integreated colour Media display. An ionisation system is optional for those who want even better interior air quality.

Even the GLS' interiors provide plenty of options for individuality, thanks to the wood/leather steering wheel, the ambient lighting which features three colours, and a wide variety of trim elements on the instrument and door panels with roller shutters for the cup holders.

The next generation of COMAND Online provides the option for state of the art connectivity and infotainment, featuring a 20.3cm colour Media Display and a 65 x 45mm touchpad.

Aside from the ambient lighting and trim elements in black piano lacquer or different wood trims, the optional EXCLUSIVE design and equipment line provides five attractive interior colour concepts in genuine leather: black, ginger beige/espresso brown, saddle brown/black, crystal grey/black, and ginger beige/black.

For those taking the designo Exclusive package, the GLS interior becomes more refined by the addition of heated luxury front seats, which is upholstered in designo nappa leather and features a characteristic diamond quilting. For the AMG Line interior, owners will get sports seats in nappa leather and a 3-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel in black nappa leather finish, discrete instrument dials in a chequered flag look, and stainless-steel sports pedals with rubber studs.

Mercedes-Benz puts a high value on passenger safety, and does so by taking as much strain off the driver. Standard driver assistance systems include the following:

Collision Prevention Assist Plus

Crosswind Assist

Attention Assist

Pre-Safe system

BAS Brake Assist

4ETS all-wheel drive traction system

ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist

Cruise control with Speedtronic variable speed limiter

Steer Control steering assist function

The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus further reduces the drivers workload and makes rides safer with the following systems:

Distronic Plus with Stop&Go Pilot

Pre-Safe Brake with pedestriand detection

BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist

Active Blind Spot Assist

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Pre-Safe Plus

To provide as much protection to its passengers, the car features passive occupant protection systems together with the "electronic crumple zones" of the assistance systems as well as intelligent body design. All three seat rows are protected by windowbags, while the driver and front passenger seats have adaptive two-stage airbags and knee bags.

For driving at night, drivers can use the optional LED Intelligent Light System, while Magic Vision Control keeps visibility as clear as possible when driving under extreme weather conditions.

All engines of the new GLS is an improvement over their predecessors in terms of performance and efficiency. The V6 biturbo engine which also features direct injection is used in the GLS 400 4Matic, capable of providing 245kW (333hp) and 480Nm of torque from 160rpm while boasting a fuel consumption of only 8.9L/100km and CO2 emissions of only 206g/km. Like all GLS engines, it also comes with an ECO start/stop function.

The top-of-the-line model of the series, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic is rated at 430kW (585hp), which is 20kW (28hp) more powerful than its predecessor despite having the same fuel efficiency. A peak torque of 760Nm is easily achievable by as low as 1750rpm.

Aside from the petrol engines, the GLS 350d 4Matic featuring a V6 diesel engine rated at 190kW (258hp) and 620Nm of torque.

With Dynamic Select, the new GLS provides up to six transmission modes, including three original settings from its predecessor: Comfort, Slippery, and Sport. For managing light terrain, drivers can select the Individual or Off-Road mode. The optional Off-Road Engineering package adds the Off-Road+ mode, which lets the centre differential lock and low-range gearbox intervene if necessary for managing rough terrain.

The new Airmatic air suspension feature raised ride heights, giving the GLS a ground clearance of up to 306mm and a fording depth of up to 600mm. Airmatic's damping system allows the suspension to change it priorities depending on which Dynamic Select mode is active. For example, Sport mode focuses on lateral dynamics, while comfort mode focuses on ride quality.

The Active Curve System uses active anti-roll bars on the front and rear axle, reducing the roll angle of the body when turning around corners. This not only reduces the risk of rolling over, but also increases driver comfort whether on straight roads or rough terrain.

The GLS 400 4MATIC is now available in Singapore, starting at $445,888 including COE.

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