The Mercedes GLS 400 d is great at munching miles. Apart from multi-link suspension with air springs that make for a float-y, plush, and pampering ride, the potent, butter-smooth, and all-new diesel engine makes short work of distances. The 2,925-cc, twin-turbo in-line six delivers 330 hp and a massive 700 Nm of peak torque from just 1,200 rpm. Rarely did I find myself beyond 2,500 rpm, even when overtaking — commendable when you consider the GLS 400 d 4MATIC weighs two and a half tonnes. The nine-speed automatic makes quick changes and looks for efficiency in every corner it can find. It is capable of up to 12 km/l given real-world traffic, though Mercedes rate it higher. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive delivers responsive performance and effortless acceleration thanks to the abundance of bottom- and mid-range grunt. The straight-six format, perhaps, gives an even better balance and delivery characteristics and the end-result is an extremely potent output across the rev-range. The claimed sprint time from zero to 100 km/h is 6.3 seconds and the top speed 238 km/h. Sound scary or improbable? Yes, it’s heavy and the bulk is evident, but it behaves.
The massive 5.2-metre frame shrinks around me and it seems more than capable of holding itself together even in some rounded bends. On the open road, it’s easy cruising. The dynamic engine displays show the power and torque output at 11 kW and 90 Nm, holding a steady 80 km/h. On a slight uphill section, it needed 15 kW and 100 Nm. Yep. Just 20 hp and 14 per cent of peak torque are needed to maintain momentum at highway speed — suddenly the “EQ Boost” motor generator unit in other models makes sense. This GLS 400 d, though, has a 14-volt electrical system with a start/stop system. No more.
On the winding B-road, the GLS soaked up the bumps without a second thought. The comfort in the cabin is excellent and the ride quality soft and pliant. That said, it can get bouncy over degraded surfaces and frequent undulations off the road, with large potholes making for a few side-to-side moments at times; but that’s normal for a car of its size. The handling isn’t bad and it’s pretty nimble in terms of direction changes. It feels stable and easy to live with — which is what the whole point is.
The Mercedes GLS 400 d is a car that’s been made to make journeys together easier and more comfortable; for those who can afford it. At Rs 1.05 crore (ex-showroom), it certainly has raised the luxury quotient in the SUV space and those who need a rugged but spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped seven-seater with a star on the bonnet need look no further.
Need to Know – Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 d 4MATIC
Price: Rs 1.05 crore (ex-showroom)
Engine: 2,925 cc, in-line six, twin-turbo diesel
Max Power: 330 hp @ 3,600-4,000 rpm
Max Torque: 700 Nm @ 1,200-3,000 rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed, automatic, all-wheel drive
Suspension: Multi-link front and rear, air springs
Weight: 2,490 kg
