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Friday February 21, 2019
25
GLS larger than life Roger Hart ROAD TEST
T
he sign you see on the Vicarage which sits in front of Barker’s new shop and cafe in Geraldine reads ‘Boutique Accomodation’. The six of us who had driven there and shared the luxury aboard this imposing looking, $168,400 (+ORCs) Mercedes decided that it was a very apt description for it. For not only does it have impressive levels of space, luxury, leading-edge technology but its power comes from a silky smooth straight six diesel. It’s all very appropriate for this the largest (it’s 5.2 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide) and most luxurious flagship of the Mercedes-Benz SUV range. Resplendently clothed in an sporty AMG Line exterior package, it includes multibeam LED headlights, 21-inch alloys, side steps, a panoramic sliding sunroof and powered tailgate. It all comes together, in not only emphasising that imposing exterior styling, but making sure this family-friendly seven-seater also looks the part. As well as noted above, it’s loaded with technology, both inside and out. Of course there’s leather upholstery throughout, with power adjustability (and foldability) for the middle and rear rows. The driver and front passenger get power operated, multi-contour seats complete with heating, ventilation and very inviting massage functions. So with Mercedes saying the third row can easily accommodate passengers up to 194cm, who better to test this (and the space available) than Bernard. Along with a Canadian friend he fitted in comfortably for the duration of our 150km drive, without complaint, but of course being Bernard, not without a story or three. All in all, proof that the third row is indeed adult user-friendly. Getting in and out from there was easy as soon as we worked out which of the many switches moved and/or folded what. Thereon it was a simple procedure without any physical input needed. There’s lots of power adjustment and space for those in the second row. While three can fit comfortably there were just two for our drive (someone unkindly suggested that maybe I didn’t have any more friends). Keeping all as cool or as warm as they wish happens via the excellent multi-zone climate control system, while additional entertainment (to Bernard) comes from a thirteen-speaker, 590 watt Burmester surround sound system. The latter has voice-initiated operation and as with the “hey Mercedes” many of the other key infotainment functions can be controlled. Sitting behind the sports steering wheel complete with its smartphone-style touch and swipe controls, you see two 12.3-inch fully digital displays including a centre touchscreen. There’s sat-nav with live traffic and a great head-up display with large graphics, including the current speed limit. I liked this comprehensive head-up display, because despite its size and weighing in at close to 2500kg the GLS is capable of dispatching 0 to 100kph in a
Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d 4MATIC claimed, 6.3 seconds – with a top speed of 230kph! While I of course didn’t check the latter out, the manner in which this remarkably smooth, new 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivers makes the claimed figures seem definitely doable. It delivers 243kW of power, but much more importantly a seamless and continuous 700NM wave of torque. As well this engine is very quiet whilst doing domestic duties, but massaging the accelerator results in some great straightsix harmonics accompanying the surge of torque. The nine-speed automatic and the full-time 4MATIC all-wheel-drive make the best possible use of this, for whatever the wants or needs of the driver and the conditions may be. In doing this through corners the the Airmatic suspension package ensures that irrespective of its size and weight, the GLS
it remains predictable, composed and nicely poised. Only around town do you really notice its size, and the smallness of many of our parking spaces. The claimed overall fuel consumption is 7.7L/100km (8.8L/100km on our drive). With all three rows of seating in use, 355 litres of luggage can be loaded (to the top of the backrest) or with third row folded 890 litres, and 1470 litres with all rear seats folded. Load to the roof, those figures are 470, 1350 and 2400 litres respectively. Under the luggage floor there’s the always-reassuring-to-have spare wheel (a space saver but decent size one) plus space for the cargo blind. As expected safety is paramount and there’s a comprehensive suite, including nine airbags, active cruise control, active parking assist with 360° camera, lane-keeping and lane-change assist, blind
spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The standard braked towing capacity is 3500kg. The optional $1900 towbar package includes towbar fitment plus trailer stabilisation, which can detect sway at speeds above 65km/h and apply compensatory braking to individual wheels. Then for those who must go bush there’s also an optional ($3500) off-road package. This adds fully variable all-wheel-drive, a low-range off-road gearbox along with variable torque distribution and underbody protection.
FINALE This large-as-life, technology packed flagship of the Mercedes SUV range delivers, not only with luxurious accomodation for seven, but effortless quick performance as well!