Mercedes-Benz GLS

The Mercedes-Benz GLS, formerly Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, is a full-size luxury SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2006. In each of its generations it is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle positioned above the GLE (formerly Mercedes-Benz M-Class before 2016).[4] The GLS is considered the flagship of the marque's SUV lineup, although the body-on-frame G-Class (originally intended for military off-roading but also offered in luxurious trims) is more expensive and has been in production longer.

Mercedes-Benz GLS
Overview
Manufacturer
Production2006–2015 (GL-Class)
2015–present (GLS)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury crossover SUV[1][2][3]
LayoutFront-engine, four-wheel drive (4Matic)
RelatedMercedes-Benz ML-Class/GLE

The GLS shares the same unibody architecture with the GLE. Most GLS vehicles are assembled at the Mercedes plant in Alabama, except for a small number of early 2007 production vehicles which were manufactured in Germany. The first generation model (X164) was manufactured between 2006 and 2012 and was replaced in 2013 by the new generation GL-Class (X166).

From 2016 with the release of the facelifted second generation model, the GL-Class was renamed to GLS as per the revised nomenclature adopted by Mercedes. Under this scheme, SUVs use the base name "GL", followed by the model's placement in Mercedes-Benz hierarchy. The "G" is for geländewagen (German for off-road vehicle) and alludes the long-running G-Class. This is followed by the letter "L" that acts as a linkage with the letter "S", the SUV equivalent to the S-Class, marketing the GLS as the corresponding SUV to the S-Class full-size sedan.[5][6]

First generation (X164; 2006)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164)
X164 GL-Class

The X164 GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It was released around the same time as the similarly sized Audi Q7, and was the first full-size, 7-seater SUV produced by a German automaker. The range of engines consist of V8 petrol engines, and turbocharged V6 and V8 diesel engines. All models are available only in all-wheel drive (4MATIC) configuration. Its main competitors are the Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator.

Second generation (X166; 2013)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X166)
X166 GL-Class

The X166 GL-Class went on sale in September 2012.[4] Models feature efficiency improvements via the addition of an engine start stop system, drive by wire steering, and new turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. The second generation model also introduced a high performance GL63 AMG variant, powered by the hand-built M157 engine.[7] Following a 2016 facelift it was renamed the GLS, to correspond with the new Mercedes-Benz naming scheme. The model update also featured minor exterior and interior design changes and performance improvements.[8]

Third generation (X167; 2019)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz GLS (X167)
X167 GLS-Class

The third generation model debuted at the 2019 New York International Auto Show. The engine options at the launch are 3.0-litre turbo inline six (GLS 450 4MATIC) and 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (GLS 580 4MATIC & AMG GLS 63), both petrol with EQ Boost electric motors, and 2.9-litre twin-turbo diesel inline six in two different outputs (GLS 350 d 4MATIC and GLS 400 d 4MATIC).[9][10] A first SUV version of Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC model was released in late 2019.

The wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer and nearly an inch wider. It uses the same architecture as the latest GLE with MBUX and dual 12.3-inch screens as well as E-Active Body Control and car-to-X communication. The exterior has also been redesigned with sleeker headlamps and taillamps.[11]

Sales
Year Europe[12] U.S.[13]
2006 3,007 18,776
2007 8,027 26,396
2008 4,227 23,328
2009 2,871 15,012
2010 2,249 19,943
2011 2,508 25,139
2012 1,573 26,042
2013 4,829 29,912
2014 4,187 26,597
2015 3,753 27,707
2016 5,361 30,442
2017 4,537 32,248
2018 3,534 21,973
2019 2,386 22,223
2020 4,795 16,928
2021 4,110 24,482

References
  1. "The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLS was held back by a confusing feature".
  2. "Mercedes-Benz GLS Meaning and History". Mercedes-Benz of Modesto.
  3. "Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class". Consumer Guide.
  4. "2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Specs, Price, MPG & Reviews". Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  5. Ewing, Steven (11 November 2014). "Mercedes renames utility vehicles, repositions Maybach as sub-brand". Autoblog. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  6. "Mercedes-Benz expands brand world and introduces new nomenclature: Mercedes-Maybach for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality". Daimler AG. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  7. "2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG instrumented test". Car and Driver. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  8. "The new Mercedes-Benz GLS". Mercedes-Benz USA | Online Newsroom. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
  9. "The new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS". Mercedes-Benz USA.
  10. "Der neue GLS". Mercedes-Benz Deutschland.
  11. Vanderwerp, Dave (17 April 2019). "The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Is Even More of an S-Class SUV". Car and Driver. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  12. "Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  13. "Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS US car sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
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