New Mercedes-Benz GLS priced
Flagship German luxury SUV gets even bigger and more luxurious for 2020Australian pricing and specifications for the all-new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS, which we drove in the US in June, have been announced.
The German luxury brand’s bigger and higher-tech new SUV flagship will initially be available in just two variants Down Under, where first deliveries will take place next month.
They include the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, equipped with mild-hybrid tech and a starting price of $144,600 before on-roads, and the diesel-powered GLS 400d 4MATIC priced from $151,300 plus ORCs.
GLS 450 variants are powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine that gets a power boost from an ‘EQ Boost’ 48-volt starter-generator, helping increase power outputs from 270kW/500Nm to 286kW/750Nm – but only for short boost periods.
The mild-hybrid petrol model will also be able to engage a ‘sailing’ mode, in which a “constant speed may temporarily be maintained without input from the combustion engine”, says Benz.
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel donk in GLS 400d produces outputs of 243kW/700Nm.
Both engines are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission, sending 4MATIC power to each wheel, with fuel consumption ratings at 7.7L/100km (diesel variants) and 9.2L/100km (petrol).
New standard features include a sports steering wheel with touch and swipe controls, two 12.3-inch digital displays, an MBUX infotainment system with voice control, smartphone mirroring, wireless charging, 64-colour display options and more.
AIRMATIC air suspension and LED headlights also come standard, as do leather seats, a 13-speaker Burmester sound, panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, navigation with live updates, power-closing doors and front seats with heating and cooling function.
Safety features include nine airbags, adaptive cruise control, active parking assist with a 360-degree camera, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
A hefty towing capacity of 3500kg is standard, but you’ll have to pay an extra $1900 for fitment of a towbar and trailer stabilisation.
There’s also a $3500 Off-Road Engineering Package on offer, which adds fully variable all-wheel drive, low-range off-road gearing, variable torque distribution, downhill speed regulation, underbody protection and an off-road driving mode.
Owners can customise their GLS with a choice of 10 exterior colour options, three leather colours, two open-pore wood-trim finishes and three AMG alloy wheel designs.
Inside the new GLS, Benz says improvements to cabin space means passengers up to 200cm tall can comfortably sit in the second row, while a longer wheelbase (+66cm) means people up to 194cm will be happy in the third row.
Cargo capacity with all seven seats in use is rated at 355 litres, while you can get up to 2400 litres with the third row folded flat.
How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS cost?
GLS 450 4MATIC -- $144,600
GLS 400d 4MATIC -- $151,300
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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