NEW MERCEDES-BENZ GLS

The new seven-seat luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, is now available to order, priced from £69,100 OTR, ahead of first UK deliveries in March 2016.

The new GLS sets standards as the ‘S-Class among SUVs’. This seven-seater premium SUV combines luxury with comfort, agile dynamics and best-in-class safety. The new GLS features improved efficiency, extended DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the latest AIRMATIC air suspension system with ADS adaptive damping system, a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, state-of-the-art driver assistance systems and the latest telematics with internet access.

Three models are available in the UK: the GLS 350d 4MATIC AMG Line, the GLS 350d 4MATIC designo Line and the new Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC.

The standard specification is comprehensive and includes the latest generation of COMAND Online including an 8-inch screen and touchpad; AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping; LED Intelligent Light System with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus; leather upholstery; memory front seats; Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system; panoramic electric sunroof; parking package with 360° camera; lane tracking package including Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist; Keyless-GO comfort package; THERMOTRONIC climate control with three zones; three-colour ambient lighting; and heated seats in the front two rows.

The designo Line brings even more luxurious appointments, including designo nappa leather upholstery with diamond pattern quilting; heated and cooled front seats; a heated steering wheel; four-zone climate control including the third row of seats; temperature-controlled cup holders; and interior air ionisation with filter. Also included is the Active Curve System, which uses active suspension stabilisers to help reduce the rolling motion of the vehicle in mid- and high-speed bends. It also helps increase axle articulation off-road.

The interior can be further personalised at no extra cost with a choice of five different leather upholstery colours in the AMG Line or two luxurious designo Exclusive nappa leather options in the designo Line. Customers can choose from four wood trim finishes (brown open-pore ash, high-gloss brown burr walnut, high-gloss brown eucalyptus, black poplar) or aluminium trim at no cost, with cost options including black piano lacquer and AMG carbon-fibre with black piano lacquer (combined).

The GLS 350d uses a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, which produces 258 hp and 620 Nm of torque, and emits 199 g/km of CO2 (down from 209 g/km). The 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic gearbox is standard, making for greater efficiency and smoother shifts, as well as DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes.

An optional off-road package for the 350d adds a centre differential lock; low-range gearbox; extra modes for the DYNAMIC SELECT system and three additional heights for the suspension, to increase ground clearance to 306 mm and wading depth to up to 600 mm. Also included are underbody protection panels, and an off-road function for the headlights.

With a peak output of 585 hp and peak torque of 760 Nm from just 1,750 rpm, the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 in the GLS 63 offers even more power (+28 hp), more dynamism and higher equipment levels than before. Standard features include a revised AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission with AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes which provide optimum flexibility, and rear-biased AMG Performance all-wheel drive.

The styling now incorporates the latest Mercedes-Benz look. The new front end includes distinctive power domes on the bonnet, while among changes at the rear are more prominent tailpipes. Interior highlights include a newly-designed instrument panel, a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, and a modified centre console with touchpad.

The AMG Line includes distinctive front and rear bumpers, illuminated side running boards, and 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. The optional Night package makes for an even more exclusive look, with high-gloss black details including the louvres in the radiator grille, door mirrors and roof rails.

The revised interior offers a spacious environment for up to seven passengers, with boot volume of 295 (all seats in place), 680 (third-row seats folded) or 2300 litres (all rear seats folded), in a load compartment that is up to 2124 mm long and with a payload capacity of up to 815 kg.

Driver assistance systems fitted as standard include COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS; Crosswind Assist; ATTENTION ASSIST; PRE-SAFE system; Brake Assist BAS; electronic all-wheel drive traction system 4ETS; ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist; cruise control with variable SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter and the STEER CONTROL steering assist function.

The optional Driving Assistance package Plus brings systems including DISTRONIC PLUS with Stop&Go Pilot; PRE-SAFE Brake with pedestrian detection; BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist; Active Blind Spot Assist; Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.

Optimum protection potential is provided by the passive occupant protection systems together with the ‘electronic crumple zones’ of the assistance systems and the intelligent body design. Adaptive, two-stage airbags for driver and front passenger, kneebag for the driver (combined thorax/pelvisbags) and windowbags above all three seat rows are also part of the standard specification, among other features.

With DYNAMIC SELECT, the new GLS provides up to six transmission modes. In addition to COMFORT, SLIPPERY and SPORT modes, the driver can choose INDIVIDUAL or OFF-ROAD modes (the optional Off-Road package adds OFF-ROAD+ mode).

The GLS is available to order now, with deliveries starting from March 2016.

Prices
GLS 350d AMG Line £69,100 RRP OTR
GLS 350d designo £78,095 RRP OTR
GLS 63 AMG £102,330 RRP OTR

For full details including prices and specification, visit www.Mercedes-Benz.co.uk

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