Test drive Mercedes-Benz GLS

The creators of the GLS compared the new product with its predecessor, ignoring the direct competitor to the BMW X7. Mercedes' new SUV arrived just in time. It remains to find out who will win this time

The indulgence of the Stuttgart people can be understood: the first Mercedes-Benz GLS appeared back in 2006 and actually formed the class of premium three-row crossovers. In the USA, he finds about 30 thousand buyers a year, and in Russia in the best years he was chosen by 6 thousand buyers. And finally, very soon it will be registered in the Moscow region at the Daimler plant.

The BMX X7 was introduced earlier, so it unwittingly tried to outperform the previous generation GLS. In terms of length and wheelbase, he succeeded, but in the luxury segment it is customary to measure not only dimensions, but also comfort. X7 already in the "base" has air suspension, and for a surcharge, steering wheels and active stabilizers, virtual instruments, five-zone climate control and many electronic assistants are available.

Another point of reference for the new GLS is its younger brother GLE, with whom it shares not only a common platform, but also half of the cabin, the design of the front of the exterior with the exception, perhaps, of the bumpers, and most importantly - the innovative E-Active Body Control suspension, which does not exist. from a Bavarian competitor.

The GLS's standard equipment list includes Multibeam matrix headlights, each with 112 LEDs, dual-zone climate control, an MBUX media system, heated all seven seats, a rearview camera and 21-inch wheels. For a surcharge, an entertainment system is available for second-row passengers (two 11,6-inch screens with Internet access), a seven-inch tablet in the second-row center armrest for controlling all service functions, as well as five-zone climate control, which until now was only available in X7. True, the passengers of the third row in the Mercedes for some unknown reason are deprived of the privilege to control their climate.

The GLS is based on the modular platform MHA (Mercedes High Architecture), on which the GLE is also based. The front end of the crossovers is common, and the saloons are almost identical. In the cabin, traditional and high-quality finishing materials are successfully combined with high-tech monitors and virtual dashboards. And if you consider such courage to be a blow to traditional values, then such a transition will take some getting used to.

When I first got acquainted with the GLE, the new interior was questionable, but now, six months later, the interior of the new GLS seemed almost perfect to me. What are only the reference virtual devices and the entire MBUX system interface as a whole, especially when compared with the controversial design and uncontested X5 / X7 devices.

The advantages of the system include the "augmented reality" function for the navigation system, which draws direction indicator arrows directly over the image from the video camera. You can't miss at a difficult junction. By the way, starting with GLS, a similar function will be available in Russia.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is 77 mm longer (5207 mm), 22 mm wider (1956 mm), and the wheelbase has grown by 60 mm (up to 3135 mm). Thus, it has bypassed the BMW X7 in length (5151 mm) and wheelbase (3105 mm).

Everything for the convenience of passengers. In particular, the maximum distance between the first and second row is increased by 87 mm, which is very noticeable. The second row can be made in the form of a three-seater sofa or a pair of separate armchairs. Thin armrests do not indulge in luxury comfort, but are regulated by screw washers from below. A proprietary seat adjustment control system on the doors allows you to adjust the seat for yourself, including the height of the headrest.

A full-sized second row sofa for even more comfort. The full center armrest has a separate built-in Android tablet that literally runs the MBUX app to help interact with the vehicle's systems. The tablet can be taken out and used like a regular gadget. It is also possible to order two separate monitors installed in the front seats. Everything is like in the S-Class.

By the way, unlike the BMW X7, between the rear seats of the GLS you can get to the third row, which is also noticeably more spacious. The manufacturer claims that a person up to 1,94 m tall can fit in the back. Although I am slightly lower (1,84 m), I decided to check. When trying to close the second-row seat behind itself, Mercedes carefully does not lower the back of the second-row seat to the end, so as not to crush the legs of those sitting in the back. There is so much room in the legs of the passengers in the second row that it is quite possible to share it with the inhabitants of the gallery so that no one would be offended. In terms of the spaciousness of the cabin, the new GLS looks much more advantageous, claims to be the leader in the class and gets "credit" for the "S-class".

In terms of appearance, the GLS has become less aggressive, which at first glance may seem like a step back to many. Frankly, the first published photos of GLS seemed to me asexual. This unisex is due to the fact that in the mainstream US market, a woman is likely to drive this car. On the other hand, to all my reproaches, the Mercedes managers played with a trump card: “Not enough aggression? Then get the version in the AMG body kit. " And indeed: in Russia, most buyers choose just such cars.

The state of Utah, where the introduction to the new GLS took place, made it possible to evaluate the car in different conditions. The name "Utah" comes from the name of the people of Utah and means "people of the mountains." In addition to the mountains, we managed to drive here along the highway, and along serpentines, and along difficult sections.

All modifications were available for the test, including those that will not appear in Russia. The acquaintance began with the GLS 450 version. The inline six-cylinder engine produces 367 hp. with. and 500 Nm of torque, and another 250 Nm of torque and 22 liters. with. available through EQ Boost for short periods of time. Most likely, the GLS 450 will be popular in all "non-diesel" countries, including the United States. Russia is a pleasant exception in this regard - we have a choice.

Both engines are good. The start of the gasoline engine may not be heard thanks to the starter-generator, which makes this process almost instantaneous. For all my love for diesels, I can't say that the 400d looked particularly advantageous. The cabin is quiet, but the typical diesel pick-up at low revs is not observed. In this regard, the 450th looks no worse. The difference, perhaps, will manifest itself only in fuel consumption. Unlike competitors, in Russia GLS will not be clamped under the tax rate of 249 liters. with., therefore, the choice of the type of engine is entirely up to the buyer.

Not yet available in Russia GLS 580 with V8, which produces 489 hp. with. and 700 Nm paired with a starter-generator, receives another 22 additional forces and 250 Newton meters. Such a car accelerates to "hundreds" in just 5,3 seconds. The diesel version of the GLS 400d available on our market produces 330 hp. with. and the same impressive 700 Nm, and the acceleration to 100 km / h, although slightly inferior, is also impressive - 6,3 seconds.

Unlike the GLE, the big brother has Airmatic air suspension already in the base. In addition, Mercedes offers the E-Active Body Control hydropneumatic suspension, which consists of accumulators mounted on each strut and powerful servos that constantly adjust the compression and rebound ratios.

We already got acquainted with it during the GLE test in Texas, but then, due to the rather boring road conditions, we could not taste it. Against the background of E-Active Body Control, the conventional air suspension seemed no worse. Perhaps, it played the effect of inaccessibility - they were not going to take such a suspension to Russia. However, Utah's mountain serpentines and rugged sections still revealed its advantages.

This suspension does not have anti-roll bars in the traditional sense, so it can be considered truly independent. Electronics helps simulate stabilizers - a similar algorithm sometimes helps to deceive the laws of physics. In particular, Curve Control counteracts roll in bends by tilting the body not outward, but inward, as the driver instinctively does. The feeling is unusual, but it looks especially strange when a car with such a suspension is driving in front. There is a feeling that something has broken.

Another feature of the suspension is the Road Surface Scan system, which scans the surface at a distance of 15 m, and the suspension adapts to compensate for any unevenness in advance. This is especially noticeable off-road, where we happened to be.

To test the off-road capabilities of the GLS, an ATV test site was selected. The off-road vehicle over 5,2 m in length was a bit cramped on narrow trails, but it was surprisingly easy to drive. Under the wheels - crumbly soil mixed with sharp stones. It was here that the E-ABC's suspension came into its own and skillfully corrected all the imperfections in the landscape. It was amazing to drive through the hole without feeling it at all. There is nothing to say about lateral swing - usually on heavy off-road the driver and passenger now and then swing from side to side, but not in this case.

Although this suspension is sometimes capable of deceiving the laws of physics, it is still not omnipotent. Our colleagues from one of the Middle Eastern countries were so carried away that the wheels were punctured anyway. Undoubtedly, all these electronic systems allow the driver a lot, but it is necessary to break away from reality wisely.

By the way, Mercedes engineers showed us a beta version of a special application, which is available in the multimedia system and is still working in test mode. It allows you to assess the driver's ability to drive off-road and assigns or deducts points depending on the result. In particular, GLS does not welcome fast driving, sudden changes in speed, emergency braking, but takes into account the angle of inclination of the car in all dimensions, analyzes data from the stabilization system, and much more.

According to the engineer, a maximum of 100 points can be collected in the application. Nobody told us the rules in advance, so we had to learn along the way. As a result, my colleague and I scored 80 points for two.

I suppose that many will be outraged by such a detailed story about the E-Active Body Cotrol suspension, which has not yet been available in Russia (in particular on the GLE), but times are changing. Despite the fact that cars with such a suspension will not be produced in Russia, especially for connoisseurs, they will bring GLS in a First Class configuration with an E-Active Body Cotrol.

After off-roading, it's time to go to the car wash, and for such cases, the GLS has a Carwash function. When activated, the side mirrors fold in, the windows and sunroof are closed, rain and parking sensors are turned off, and the climate system goes into recirculation mode.

The new GLS will reach Russia towards the end of the year, and active sales will begin early next. As power plants, only two three-liter engines will be available: a 330-horsepower diesel GLS 400d and a 367-horsepower gasoline GLS 450. All versions are aggregated with an automatic transmission 9G-TRONIC.

Each modification will go on sale in three trim levels: the diesel GLS will be offered in Premium ($ 90), Luxury ($ 779) and First Class ($ 103) versions, and the gasoline version - Premium Plus ($ 879), Sport ($ 115 $ 669) and First Class ($ 93). The production of the car in all variants, except for the First Class, will be established in Russia.

For the BMW X7 in Russia, they ask for a minimum of $ 77 for the version with a "tax" diesel engine, which develops 679 hp. with., and a 249-horsepower gasoline SUV will cost at least $ 340.

Competition is undoubtedly good for both consumers and producers. With the arrival of a Bavarian rival, GLS will have to work even harder to defend the title. So far he has succeeded. We look forward to the imminent appearance of the super-exclusive version of the GLS Maybach, for which the previous generation was not premium enough, and the new one just right.

dimensions (length / width / height), mm	5207/1956/1823	5207/1956/1823
Wheelbase, mm	3135	3135
Turning radius, m	12,52	12,52
Cargo space, l	355 – 2400 Feet	355 – 2400 Feet
Type of transmission	Automatic 9-speed	Automatic 9-speed
engine's type	2925cc, in-line, 3 cylinders, 6 valves per cylinder	2999cc, in-line, 3 cylinders, 6 valves per cylinder
Power, hp from.	330 at 3600-4000 rpm	367 at 5500-6100 rpm
Torque, Nm	700 in the range of 1200-3000 rpm	500 in the range of 1600-4500 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km / h, s	6,3	6,2
Maximum speed km / h	238	246
Fuel consumption (laughs), l / 100 km	7,9 – 7,6 Feet	No data
Ground clearance no load, mm	216	216
Fuel tank volume, l	90	90