THE GLS IS SO
EASY TO DRIVEOFF-ROAD THAT
YOUR GRANDMA
WILL BE ABLE
TO TAKE THE
SHORTCUTS
UP HIMALAYAN
PA S S E SLeft: Third row is actually very spacious. Above: Optional low
range for when the road gets really rough, though it’s unlikely
to be offered in IndiaConvenience? Everything is electric, from sliding the middle
row at the touch all the way forward making it easy for six-footers
to get into the back, to dropping both rows to liberate that massive
boot and lowering the car so your driver doesn’t break his back
piling in the luggage. The middle row can be configured with a
regular bench, or a bench with a big armrest that incorporates an
Android tablet to control the MBUX functions along with movies
on the optional screens on the back of the seats, or you can have
individual buckets which makes the most sense for the Indian-
spec — and all configurations slide, recline and massage your
bum and back. There’s even what Mercedes calls an Energizing
Coach that recommends different programs comprising lighting,
musical moods, the appropriate massage program and even sets
the seats in motion to make you feel good. And you can make
the cabin smell like a spa with different perfume modules. Am I
impressed? What do you think! And all this is within the first 20
miles till we get to the off-road track.NOW, NOBODY SPENDING WELL OVER A CRORE OF
rupees is going to off road their SUV but the GLS is an SUV and it
should be capable of going off-road and Mercedes is determined
to show that off. The optional off-road package adds a Magna
Steyr low-range transfer case identical to what is on the G-Wagen
together with steel bash plates and reinforced driveshafts. As
standard you get 4Matic that can send 100 per cent of torque
to the wheel that most needs it. The standard air suspension
can individually alter the ride height at each wheel via the
touchscreen for situations like when one wheel is stuck in a ditch
or a wheel spring is fully compressed. And there’s a rocking mode
where the suspension level is automatically raised and lowered
several times, thus alternately increasing and reducing the
ground pressure of the tyres and improving traction, getting the
GLS to rock itself free when bogged down in a sand dune. There
are also two off-road modes, one that allows you to drift and slide
on surfaces like sand and the other that delivers more precise
control over rocks, which is what we are using.MERCEDES-BENZ GLS