The Mercedes-Benz GLS AMG Line hits the web

The most visually striking update is the big Mercedes grill to make a bolder statement, with other tweaks including new bumpers, tweaked lights front and back and a few new alloys. A new, dynamic exterior and revised, luxurious interior clearly underscore the impressive character of the GLS.

With seating for up to seven passengers, the GLS’ spacious cabin receives a three-spoke steering wheel, a more modern-looking instrument cluster with a configurable TFT screen, and a new center console with a touch pad that lets the front passengers navigate the infotainment system. However, they only offer it as GL350 with 3.0-liter V6 diesel in India and this engine has not received any updates.

The new Mercedes Benz GLS will come with a price tag of Rs 80 lakh – Rs 1.50 crore (ex showroom Delhi). There’s also a 455hp V8 GLS 500 and 333hp V6 GLS 400, but it’s unknown whether we’ll get those in the United Kingdom yet.

Non-AMG engines see an increase of up to 20 horsepower for 2017 as the GLS550’s twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter is boosted from 429 to 449 hp. It makes 585PS of power and 760Nm of torque. While the engine in the most potent GLS-Class is still backed by a 7-speed AMG SpeedShift automatic transmission, the powerplants in all other GLS variants are paired with a new 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic. Up next is the GLS350d, which uses a 3.0-liter turbodiesel rated at 255 hp and a healthy 457 lb-ft. of torque.

The new Mercedes Benz GLS will be available to order from December 2015, with deliveries in the USA market from late-March 2016 and will most likely hit the Indian shores by 2017. Interior air quality can be infused with the optional air ionization system and the full-size SUV also comes with the latest and greatest safety and driver assistance systems the brand has to offer – including COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, Crosswind Assist, PRE-SAFE, ESP and electronic AWD traction system with 4ETS.

Set to bow at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2017 GLS-Class initially will be available in GLS 350d, GLS 450, GLS 550 and AMG GLS63, all with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. For those owners that really do want to push things to the off-road limits, the GLS can also be ordered with a low-range gearbox.

On a year-to-date basis, the situation is the same, with BMW leading over the first ten months of the year with a total of 279,395 sales in the US, while Mercedes-Benz comes in second with 278,842 units.