Luxurious Range Rover rival to see Chinese deliveries in early 2020

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS has been re-engineered from the ground up in a bid to provide it with greater levels of accommodation, refinement and fuel efficiency than both its seven-year-old predecessor and key premium brand SUV rivals such as the new BMW X7, Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade.

Along with standard model unveiled at the New York motor show on Wednesday, the new seven-seat Mercedes-Benz model is planned to spawn a luxurious Maybach badged variant aimed directly at the Bentley Bentayga in the upper echelons of the SUV market.

The latest GLS won’t see Chinese deliveries until early next year, but Mercedes-Benz is already extolling its advances, including a new 360kW gasoline-electric mild hybrid drivetrain in an initial range-topping GLS580 4Matic model.

Styled along similar lines to the GLE alongside which it is produced at Mercedes-Benz’s Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama, USA, the new GLS adopts an evolutionary appearance that is less boxy but also arguably less striking than the second-generation model it replaces.

The new exterior design retains the upright stance that has been a defining figure of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship SUV since the introduction of the first-generation model in 2006. It is combined with less heavily adorned styling lineage that advances the GLS from the edgier look used previously.

A series of new aerodynamic refinements is claimed to provide the new model with a drag co-efficient of 0.32 and what Mercedes-Benz design boss, Gorden Wagener, describes as “dramatically reduced wind noise at speed”. This compares to the previous GLS’s 0.35.

At 5207mm in length and 1956mm in width, the 2019-model-year GLS is 77mm longer and 22mm wider than its predecessor. This makes it a considerable 277mm longer and 6mm wider than the latest incarnation of its sister model, the GLE.

By comparison, its key rival, the extended wheelbase Range Rover, stretches to 5200mm in length and 1990mm in width.

The latest incarnation of the GLS is based on Mercedes-Benz’s MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform, as used by the recently launched fourth-generation GLE. The MHA platform is heavily related to the MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform that underpins the C-class, E-class and S-class. However, it receives a number of unique engineering measures to provide it with high ground clearance properties conceived expressly for the German car maker’s high-end SUV models.

As with the exterior, the interior of the GLS has also been thoroughly redesigned. As with the new GLE, it adopts two 12.3-in digital displays for the instruments and infotainment system, a multi-function steering wheel with touch pads within the upper spokes and touchpad within the centre console which replaces the rotary dial of the outgoing GLS.

The infotainment system is combined with Mercedes-Benz’s new MBUX interface that supports touch screen control as well as a conversational speech information gathering via the Mercedes Me app.

The GLS also adopts the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz’s driving assistance system, including Active Tailback Assist which recognised tailbacks early on via real-time navigation updates and reduces speed to 60mph (100km/h) as a precaution. Once in the tailback, the new SUV can autonomously remain the driver’s chosen lane and maintain a safe distance to the car ahead at speeds up to 37mph (60km/h)

The new Range Rover rival is described as being considerably more spacious than the outgoing second-generation GLS. The wheelbase has increased by 60mm at 3135mm, providing the second row of seats with 87mm more legroom when they are set all the way back on adjustable runners. All three seat rows receive an electric adjustment, with the third seat row described as being more roomier than ever before. It stows within the floor of the luggage compartment to provide a flat loading floor.

Nominal luggage capacity is yet to be revealed, though Mercedes-Benz says its new flagship SUV boasts maximum load space of up to 2400 litres.

Two gasoline models will initially underpin new GLS sales in China.

They are headed the GLS580, which runs a new 48-volt mild hybrid drivetrain. It combines Mercedes-Benz’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 gasoline engine with an electric integrated starter motor, delivering a nominal 360kW and 700Nm of torque with an additional 16kW and 200Nm for available for a brief period under acceleration. It is claimed to boast combined consumption of 9.8L/100km and average CO2 emissions of 224g/km on the WLTP cycle.

Also planned is a more affordable GLS450 model, which also receives a 48-volt mild hybrid drivetrain. It uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder gasoline engine and electric integrated starter motor. Together, they provide it with a nominal 270kW and 500Nm with an extra 16kW and 250kW available from the integrated starter motor under acceleration.

Two diesel models are also planned. Included is the GLS400d with a turbocharged 2.9-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine boasting an output of 243kW and of torque, endowing it with combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km and CO2 emissions of 201g/km on the WLTP cycle.

The same diesel engine will also be offered in a detuned form in a cheaper GLS350d model with 210kW and 600Nm.

Both of the diesel models receive a 31.6-litre Adblue urea tank and a secondary ammonia filter, enabling them to fulfil 6d-Temp regulations on the RDE II (Real Driving Emissions Stage 2).

All power units are combined with a standard nine-speed torque converter equipped automatic gearbox and the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz’s four-wheel drive 4Matic system which provides a fully variable apportioning of power between the front and rear axles. Also available as part of an off-road package is a transfer case with low range gearing for added off-road ability.

Further engine options are planned to the line-up during 2020, including a mild-hybrid unit in a new GLS53 model and AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 in a successor to the GLS63. Mercedes-Benz is also preparing to provide the new GLS with an updated version of the plug-in hybrid system used by the S560e featuring what Mercedes-Benz describes as a significantly increased range in pure electric mode.