Third-row seats of the new Mercedes-Benz GLS can fit a 194 cm tall adult!



Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled its third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS, the brand’s largest and most luxurious SUV at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The new car is now larger than ever which translates to a spacious cabin for passengers in all three rows.

The new GLS is a massive car with a wheelbase of 3,135 mm which is 60 mm longer than the model it replaces. Overall length has also grown by 77 mm to 5,207 mm while width has also increased to 1,956 mm (+22 mm). If you’re wondering, the new GLS is longer than the BMW X7.

The front end features the brand’s new SUV family face with roundish sculpture flanked with large front grille and two power domes to exude presence and off-road intentions. As standard, the GLS comes with Multibeam LED headlamps, with a total of 112 LEDs per headlamp that can light up a distance of more than 650 metres. The three LED daytime running light graphics just like the S-Class underlines the GLS’ positioning.

Unlike its predecessor with a boxy profile, the new GLS is a whole lot sleeker thanks to the curves around the C-pillars to mask its bulk. The taillamp clusters feature the similar design first debut on the GLE and GLC facelift which might take some getting used to for some.

Despite being a large SUV, engineers have managed to bring down the drag coefficient to 0.32 Cd as compared to 0.35 Cd of the model it replaces, contributing to lower fuel consumption and wind noise.

The interior is furnished with all the latest gizmos the brand has to offer starting from the Widescreen cockpit with MBUX infotainment system, 64-colour ambient lighting, two prominent grab handles on the centre console, solid aluminium switch gears and more.

But the highlight of the cabin is the considerably more spacious interior. All seats are electrically adjustable as standard, and the second-row seats now has 87 mm more maximum legroom compared to before. The third-row seats are now full-fledged seats that can comfortably seat people up to 194 cm – which is plenty for the average Malaysian.

A seven-seater with 2-2-3 seating layout is standard while a more luxurious six-seater variant with two individual seats for the second-row passengers is available for the first time.

At launch, the GLS is available with a variety of petrol and diesel variants. Sitting at the top is the GLS 580 4MATIC with a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 with EQ Boost 48V integrator starter generator (ISG) system packing an output of 489 hp and 700 Nm. Next up is the GLS 450 4MATIC with a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-line six with EQ Boost technology making 367 hp and 500 Nm.

As for the two diesel variants, they are powered by the OM656 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel with two states of tune. The GLS 350 d 4MATIC commands 286 hp/600 Nm while the GLS 400 d 4MATIC gets 330 hp/700 Nm. All variants of the GLS are equipped with a 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

Airmatic air suspension with Adaptive Damping System Plus is fitted as standard on the GLS but for even greater comfort and off-road capabilities, customers would want to go for the E-Active Body Control suspension.

Like the S-Class, the GLS gets the Driving Assistance package Plus advanced driving assistance systems including Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Stop-and-Go Assist and Trailer Manoeuvring Assist.


IMAGE GALLERY

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