The third generation Mercedes Benz GLS has been launched in India at ₹99.90 lakhs

The third generation flagship GLS has been launched at a price of ₹99.90 lakhs (ex-showroom). The behemoth sized SUV can be purchased in 2 engine options, the GLS 400d (diesel) and GLS 450 (petrol), and they are both priced at ₹99.90 lakhs. The 3rd generation GLS has arrived on our shores in the form of a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) and it will be assembled in the Mercedes’s Pune factory. About 3 weeks back, we had covered an article on ‘Mercedes Benz India to launch the new generation GLS on June 17th’ which gives a basic understanding of what the 2020 GLS would look like, do read!

The 2020 GLS has grown up, literally

In comparison to the previous generation GLS, the 2020 GLS has grown in length, width and wheelbase. The new generation GLS is 77mm longer, 22 mm wider and the wheelbase is 60mm longer as well. This makes the already large vehicle, even larger. The 2020 GLS measures 5,207 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, 1,823 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,135 mm. The 3rd generation GLS is based on the Modular High Architecture (MHA).

The prime changes on the exterior of the 2020 GLS

The new GLS sports an octagon shaped grill, and alongside the grille are the multi beam LED headlamps. Each headlamp is equipped with 112 LEDS and a DRL, and together these headlamps will be bright enough to light up the darkest of roads. On the rear, the tail lights have also received an LED revision, and the tail lamps have been redesigned to incorporate a 3D pattern. The wheels also look especially cool thanks to the 21 inch alloy wheels.

The plush feature rich interior of the 2020 GLS

Entering the GLS makes for quite the experience thanks to how palatial it looks. On getting inside, the first few features which will surely garner your attention would be the 12.3-inch screens duo, one which functions as the infotainment display and the other is used as the instrument cluster. I am a big fan of this digital concept, and even though an analog dial gives a classic retro look, a digital display on the other hand feels very extremely futuristic.

The infotainment system makes use of the latest MBUX multimedia system which can be used via voice commands and gestures. Other than this, the vehicle is fitted with features such as a 64 colour option ambient lightning, a panoramic sunroof, 5 zone climate control, wireless charging for the front and rear passengers. The cabin is equipped with 11 USB ports, so no more waiting for your turn to charge your smartphone.

The international GLS is offered in a 7 seat arrangement with a bench layout in the middle row, but it seems that the Indian based GLS has been launched as 6 seat arrangement with 2 individual seats in the middle row. This also means that there would be more space for the ones sitting in the middle row, and this gets better for them as this row is equipped with two 11.6-inch displays as well.

The second and third row of the 2020 GLS has can be folded with the touch of a button and on doing so, the GLS has 2,400 litres of boot space.

Safety features offered on the 2020 GLS

The 2020 GLS would get a 10/10 when it comes to features and luxury offered, but what about the safety aspect, that is crucial too. In my opinion, the GLS does well here too as it is equipped with prime features such as 9 airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a 360 degree camera, off-road ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), blind spot assist, active brake assist, hill-descent control and other features as well.

The powertrain of the 2020 GLS

The engines offered on the GLS are a petrol motor and a diesel one. Starting with the petrol, the GLS 450 is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 which is mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This engine produces 367 ps and 500 Nm of torque but both these figures can be further increased by 22ps and 250 nm thanks to the EQ Boost feature. The GLS 450 can run from 0-100 in 6.2 seconds.

The GLS 400d is brought to life by a 2.9 litre V6 engine which is good enough to make 330 ps and 700 nm of torque. In it’s diesel format, the GLS 400d can accelerate from 0-100 in 6.3 seconds.

Both the vehicles can reach the 100 km/hr figure in just about 6 seconds, which is particularly impressive, for a vehicle which weights almost 2.4 tonnes. The diesel and petrol variant use a 9 speed transmission and they are also equipped with the 4Matic four-wheel-drive system.

2020 GLS Competition

The 2020 GLS will take on vehicles like the BMW X7, Volvo XC90, the Land Rover Range Rover and the Lexus LX. To have all these gargantuan suvs parked together would be quite the sight, and the idea of them battling against each other would be equivalent to that of the titans fighting against each other.