Mercedes details local GLS pricing

MERCEDES-BENZ'S updated and renamed GLS upper-large SUV will touch down in April next year priced from $116,900 before on-road costs, ending the GL-Class nameplate after a nine-year run in Australia.

While the German car-maker's reshuffled naming system has spelled the end of the GL, its successor is a lightly facelifted version with many of the same features of the outgoing range, including an unchanged four-variant line-up with slight price increases across the board.

The base GLS350d kicks off the range with an unchanged 3.0-litre diesel, producing 190kW and 620Nm, but the V6 is now coupled to the company's nine-speed automatic transmission, as fitted to all non-AMG Mercedes models.

Its price has risen by $2400 over the outgoing equivalent.

Information and entertainment systems also get a boost in the update, with Command online navigation and Apple CarPlay fitted as standard. Driver preference options are extended with five Dynamic Select driving modes, while exterior enhancements include a facelift with LED headlights, and 20-inch wheels.

The $135,900 GLS350d Sport shares much of the equipment of the entry level version including its drivetrain, but adds sporty attire such as larger 21-inch AMG wheels, body-stabilising Active Curve System, tyre-pressure monitoring and metallic paint for no extra cash.

Sport variant cabins also get a tweak with Nappa leather upholstery and the company's AMG Line styling. This price has increased by $1400.

For the most affordable of the GLS V8 variants, the update has added a shade more power to the turbocharged 4.7-litre V8, with power climbing 15kW to 335kW, while torque remains the same at 700Nm. It too gets the new nine-speed 9G-Tronic auto.

Its $161,900 price – up by $2390 over the outgoing version – now includes a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated Luxury front seats, heated second row seats, and a TV and Anti-theft pack.

Capping off the range is the flagship GLS63 AMG priced from $3390 more than the old model at $217,900 which brings the driver-focussed version of the range, thanks to a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8, 430kW/760Nm on tap and zero to 100km/h acceleration in 4.6 seconds.

The update, including an increase of 20kW has cut 0-100km/h performance by 0.3 seconds, but the top speed of 270km/h is unchanged thanks to a standard Driver's Package, which carries over.

Top-of-the-line variants get AMG 22-inch wheels, sports suspension, high-performance brakes, Dynamic Select with an additional Sport+ setting, power closing doors and Mercedes' Air-Balance package, which adds a selection of fragrances to the air as well as an air ioniser.

Unlike the rest of the range, the more torquey AMG manages with a seven-speed automatic transmission in place of the nine-ratio box.

All versions get seven seats with “S-Class standard” comfort and flexible adjustment options, a load space that expands from 680 litres to 2300 litres or objects up to 2124mm long.

As is typical to the brand, the GLS has generous levels of safety systems across the range, including collision prevention assistance, crosswind assistance, driver drowsiness detection, adaptive cruise control which works down to stop and start traffic, cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assistance and autonomous braking.

If all that is not enough to prevent a collision, nine airbags and “electronic crumple zones” maximise occupant protection in a crash.

All GLS variants have the Mercedes 4Matic four-wheel drive system, but an Off-Road Engineering package is offered for more ambitious and adventurous owners, which adds Off-Road+ setting to the Dynamic Select system, low-range gearbox, locking centre differential and ride-height booster.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLS pricing*

GLS 350d (a)	$116,900
GLS 350d Sport (a)	$135,900
GLS 500 (a)	$161,900
GLS 63 AMG (a)	$217,900

*Excludes on-road costs