Mercedes-Benz Philippines is now making available the flagship three-row GLS luxury SUV with a suggested retail price of 8.990 million. Exuding presence and power, the German automaker calls it, “the S-Class of SUVs.”
Exuding presence and power, the 2020 GLS features impressive dimensions measuring 5.207 meters in length and 1.956 meters in width. With a longer wheelbase than its predecessor (up to 3.135 meters), it has more harmonious proportions than ever before. The GLS now follows the Sensual Purity design and dispenses with individual edges in favor of sculpted surfaces.
The GLS achieves a co-efficient of drag as low as 0.32—an impressively low figure in the large luxury SUV segment. The excellent aerodynamics help it cut fuel consumption, but more importantly limit wind noise.
The Philippine-spec GLS features the AMG Line design package and with that brings a unique front apron, wing flares at the front and back, 21-inch AMG twin-spoke light alloy wheels, and a sports brake system with perforated brake discs.
Inside, the 2020 GLS combines the comfort of a traditional Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan with rugged detailing of an SUV. The central element inside is the impressively-sized screen unit embedded on the dashboard. Typical of off-roaders, the GLS features two prominent grab handles on the center console, juxtaposed by the free-floating appearance of the dashboard. A new multi-function sports steering wheel further accentuates the appearance of the interior.
Thanks to the extended wheelbase, the GLS pays close attention to maximize occupant space. All seats are electrically adjustable as standard even down to the Easy-Entry function—where the second-row seats move a long way forwards and fold forwards allowing entry to the generous third row. In the second row, leg room can be increased by 87 mm when the seats are in their rearmost position, which also makes it easier to get into the vehicle. At the third row, people up to 1.94 meters tall can be seated comfortably.
The GLS’s high aspirations are also found under the hood. For the Philippine market, the GLS comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 diesel engine making 286 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. This impressive engine is mated to Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel drive and a 9-speed G-Tronic automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The GLS comes with the enhanced Airmatic air suspension system with Adaptive Damping System Plus. This setup uses highly complex sensor systems and algorithms to adapt the damping characteristics to the road condition and driving situation in real time. All components have been enhanced compared with the previous generation, and the wheel suspension mountings have been optimized to maximize ride comfort. In addition to this, the air suspension keeps the car at the same level, regardless of the load on board.
