Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 launched in India at Rs 82.9 lakh

Team OD Updated: September 07, 2016, 04:14 PM IST

Mercedes-Benz has added one more version to its flagship SUV offering, the GLS, in India. The company has launched the GLS 400 at Rs 82.9 lakh, ex-Delhi. The GLS 400 retains its design and features from the GLS 350d. However, it gets a V6 biturbo petrol engine that puts out 333PS of power and 480Nm of torque. The GLS 400 is currently the only petrol-powered SUV in its segment in India. While the diesel sibling is made at the company's plant in Pune, the GLS 400 will be brought to the country through the CBU route.

GLS 350 d, Exterieur: Cavansitblau metallic, exterior: cavansite blue

The Mercedes-Benz GLS is essentially a facelifted GL with the new model nomenclature that the German car manufacturer adopted last year. The GLS 400, as seen with the company's petrol counterparts, is positioned above the GLS 350d. The GLS 400 does not get any changes in the exterior. The premium SUV measures 5,130mm in length, 1,934mm in width and 1,850mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 3,075mm. As part of the facelift design, the GLS gets an updated front profile that makes it resemble the portfolio's new-age look. The changes include multi-beam headlights with integrated DRLs. The grille gets a chrome treatment and houses a larger tri-star logo. Overall, the GLS' design revision makes it look sportier than before.

The cabin itself is luxurious , but the layout has become dated and a bit too familiar

Inside, the GLS 400 will come with the same set of features that we have already seen in the GLS 350d. The dashboard design and the overall arrangement are identical to that of the S-Class. The cabin feels plusher with leather-draped seats on all three-rows along with top-quality trims and aluminium bits. Mercedes updated the infotainment display with the modern tablet-like eight-inch unit which runs with the updated COMAND system. The options that the screen displays are again similar to that of the GL SUV. The GLS also gets an option to choose the colour of ambient lights in the cabin, again shared with the S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz GLS 350 d, Exterieur: Cavansitblau metallic ; Mercedes-Benz GLS 350 d, exterior: cavansite blue;

The GLS' motor is mated to a 9-speed 9G-Tronic transmission. Mercedes-Benz claims that the GLS 400 delivers a fuel efficiency of 11.23kmpl. On the other hand, the GLS 350d makes use of a 3.0-litre diesel motor that produces 258PS at 3,400rpm and makes 620Nm.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS competes with the likes of the Volvo XC90 and the Audi Q7. Read our comparison report between the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Volvo XC90 here. Presently, the Volvo XC90 is sold with a 2.0-litre diesel motor. However, Volvo will soon launch the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid with a 320PS 2.0-litre petrol engine. The plug-in hybrid is expected to be priced around Rs 1.25 crore when launched in India.

The other launch that is expected from the Mercedes-Benz stable by the end of this year is the facelifted CLA.

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 99.9 Lakhs
Displacement
2925cc
Transmission
Automatic
Max Power(ps)
330
Max Torque(Nm)
700
Mileage
-NA-
Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 79.99 Lakhs
Displacement
2984cc
Transmission
Automatic
Max Power(ps)
340
Max Torque(Nm)
500
Mileage
-NA-
Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 80.9 Lakhs
Displacement
1969cc
Transmission
Automatic
Max Power(ps)
235
Max Torque(Nm)
420
Mileage
-NA-