Mercedes-Benz at the beginning of November 2015 declassified its largest SUV, the GLS, which the Germans themselves proudly call "the real S-class among SUVs." But this is not a new car, but only a modernized second-generation GL-class, renamed in accordance with the brand's new concept, which will make its public debut at an international show in Los Angeles.
In order for the crossover to correspond to its high rank, the manufacturer refreshed its exterior, seriously improved the interior, increased the power of the engines, installed a new gearbox and expanded the list of equipment.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS looks solid, expensive and impressive, it literally overwhelms with its size - this is the iron embodiment of success and power. An elegant front end with LED headlights and a massive radiator grille with a huge "three-beam" star, a monumental silhouette with "muscles" of wheel arches and a large glass area, powerful stern with exquisite lanterns and trapezoidal exhaust pipes - all kind of an SUV demonstrates its high status.
In terms of overall dimensions, the GLS-class is a real giant: 5130 mm in length, of which 3075 mm is the distance between the axles, 1934 mm in width and 1850 mm in height.
Thanks to the air suspension, the ground clearance of the SUV is adjustable from 215 to 306 mm.
In the "stowed" state, the "German" weighs from 2435 to 2455 kg, and its gross weight exceeds 3.2 tons.
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLS is dominated by an atmosphere of luxury and comfort, while the driver and other crew members are surrounded by high-quality materials, along with verified ergonomics and quality workmanship. A multifunctional steering wheel with a pronounced relief, a pair of "wells" and a color board of the on-board computer in the instrument cluster and a presentable center console with a towering 8-inch "tablet" of multimedia and control panels for the audio system and "microclimate" - the decoration looks modern, beautiful and expensive.
The front seats of the SUV with solid lateral support are equipped with a large number of electric adjustments, heating and a reversible ventilation system.
The middle row of seats, despite the flatter profile, will comfortably accommodate three passengers, providing them with sufficient space on all fronts. And the "gallery" is very comfortable even for adults.
The luggage compartment of the Mercedes-Benz GLS with seven riders on board holds 300 liters of luggage. In the five-seater configuration, the "hold" capacity increases to 680 liters, and in the two-seater - to an impressive 2300 liters. In the recess under the raised floor there is only a compact spare wheel and a set of necessary tools.
Specifications. For the full-size premium SUV, three modifications are proposed, each of which has a 9-band automatic transmission and a 4Matic all-wheel drive system with a symmetrical center differential that distributes torque between the front and rear wheels in a 50:50 ratio, a transfer case with a lowering range and a locking differential.
- Under the hood of the base Mercedes-Benz GLS350d The 4Matic hides a 3.0-liter V6 diesel unit with turbocharging and common rail injection, which generates 258 horsepower at 3400 rpm and 620 Nm of peak thrust in the range from 1600 to 2400 rpm.
Such a car conquers the first "hundred" after 7.8 seconds, maximum gains 222 km / h and consumes 7.6 liters of fuel in the combined cycle for every 100 km of run. - The next version in the hierarchy is GLS400 4Matic, powered by a 3.0-liter petrol engine with six V-shaped "pots", equipped with a pair of turbochargers, direct fuel injection and start / stop system. In the bins of the "six" there are 333 "horses" available at 5250-6000 rpm, and 480 Nm of torque at 1600-4000 rpm.
The maximum "400th" obeys 240 km / h, and after the first three-digit number, the speedometer needle "steps over" after 6.6 seconds. Passport consumption of the combustible mixture - 9.4 liters in the combined cycle. - "Top" Mercedes-Benz GLS500 4Matic "flaunts" a 4.7-liter V-8 with two turbochargers, a direct power system and start / stop technology, generating 456 horsepower at 5250-5500 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 1800-4000 rpm / minute.
With such an engine, the premium "giant" shoots from standstill to 100 km / h in just 5.3 seconds, stops accelerating only when it reaches 250 km / h and, on average, "eats" 11.3 liters of fuel in mixed conditions.
On the Mercedes GLS-class "in a circle" the Airmatic air suspension is used with an independent structure on both axles: double wishbones at the front and levers oriented in different planes at the rear.
By default, the SUV is equipped with hydraulic power steering and variable gear ratio.
On each of the four wheels, ventilated brake discs are used, complemented by modern electronic assistants (ABS with EBD, BAS and others).
Options and prices. Pre-orders for the Mercedes-Benz GLS will begin accepting in December 2015, and live cars will appear in dealerships in March 2016.
In Germany, the full-size SUV is available starting at € 62,850 for the base GLS350d 4Matic. The standard equipment of the "German" implies the presence of nine airbags, air suspension, zone climate control, a multimedia center with an 8-inch screen, premium "music", all-LED optics, leather trim, full power accessories and a large number of modern electronic "assistants". The GLS400 4Matic version will cost a minimum of 64,425 euros, for the "top" version of the GLS500 4Matic you will not get cheaper than 81,600 euros.
