Q&A ANDREAS ZYGAN, MERCEDES SUV DEVELOPMENT BOSS
What did you try to achieve
with the new GLS?
The GLS is the S-Class of
SUVs. Our main focuses
were increasing space and
functionality in the second
row over its predecessor. We
have 100mm more leg room
in the second seat row now
thanks to a longer wheelbase.
In the rear, there is five-zone
climate control, massage
seats, electrical roller blinds,mobile wireless charging.
It feels like an S-Class.
Given its focus on luxury, will
we see a Maybach version?
There’s no decision on a
Maybach version but we will
decide in the not-too-distant
future. We have developed
a lot of things – comfort in
the second row, for example
- that would work for a
Maybach equivalent.
D o a ny ow n e r s a c t u a l l y u s e
its off-road capability?
Do you really need a sports
car that can achieve 186mph
top speed? But people buy itbecause it can do it. It’s the
same with off-road capability
in the GLS. But we have
customers who need off-road
capability on terrain to get to
their horses. Or, for example,
in Russia there can be very
rough roads.
Some GLS variants have
mild-hybrid powertrains.
When will the GLS become
even more electrified?
A GLE plug-in hybrid will
launch later this year. But for
the GLS, even though it’s the
market leader in the US, it is
too small a market to offer
a plug-in hybrid for now.
24 APRIL 2 019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 15
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HYUNDAI UNVEILS ITS SEVENTH SUV
The new Hyundai Venue compact SUV is
107mm shorter than the Kona – but, despite the
popularity of compact crossovers in Europe, there
are no plans to bring it here. The SUV will have a
1.6-litre petrol unit and two-tone paint options.
MERCEDES UNCOVERS EQC SPECIAL
The Mercedes EQC Edition 1886, a reference to
the year Karl Benz obtained a patent for the first
production automobile, is available exclusively in
silver, and features a gloss black grille, 20in alloys
with white accents and a black-blue interior.
fuel consumption of 37.2mpg
and an average CO 2 emissions
of 201g/km on the WLTP test
cycle. In other markets, the
same diesel engine will also be
offered in a cheaper, lesser-
powered GLS 350d.
Both of the diesel models
receive a 31.6-litre AdBlue tank
and a secondary ammonia
filter, enabling them to fulfil
6d-Temp regulations on the
RDE2 (Real Driving Emissions,
stage 2).The petrol units are headed
by a new 48V mild-hybrid
drivetrain in a GLS 580 model.
It combines Mercedes-Benz’s
twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre
V8 with an electric integrated
starter motor, delivering
482bhp and 516lb ft with a
further 22bhp and 147lb ft
available for a brief period
under acceleration.
Also planned is a GLS 450
model with the same 48V
system. It uses a turbocharged
3.0-litre inline six-cylinder
petrol engine instead, offering
362bhp and 369lb ft with an
additional 22bhp and 184lb ft
available under acceleration.
This model is set to come to theUK early next year.
All power units are combined
with a standard nine-speed
automatic gearbox and the
latest evolution of Mercedes-
Benz’s four-wheel-drive 4Matic
system, which provides a fully
variable apportioning of power
between the front and rear
axles. Also available as
part of an off-road package
is a transfer case with low
range gearing.
Further engine options are
planned to be added to the
line-up during 2020, including
a mild-hybrid unit in a new
GLS 53 model and AMG’s
twin-turbocharged 4.0-litreV8 in a successor to the GLS
- Mercedes-Benz is also
preparing to provide the new
GLS with an updated version of
the plug-in hybrid system used
by the S560e featuring what
the company describes as a
significantly increased range in
pure electric mode.
The CLS is expected to cost
around £72,000 when it goes
on sale in the UK in the autumn.
GREG KABLE
as conversational speech and
information gathering via the
Mercedes Me app.
The GLS also adopts
the latest generation of
Mercedes-Benz’s driving
assistance system, including
Active Tailback Assist, which
recognises tailbacks early
on via real-time navigation
updates and reduces speed to
60mph. Once in the tailback,
the new SUV can autonomously
remain in the chosen lane and
maintain a safe distance from
the car ahead at speeds of up
to 37mph.
Unsurprisingly given the
growth in size, interior space
has increased significantly.
A 60mm longer wheelbase
provides the second row
of seats with 87mm more
leg room at their rearmost
position. All three rows
receive electric adjustment,
with the foldable third row
described as being roomier
than ever before. Mercedes
claims a maximum loadspace
of 2400 litres.
The new GLS will from the
outset be produced with fourstandard engines – two petrol
units and a pair of diesels.
However, just one – the diesel
GLS 400d – is planned to be
offered in the UK at launch.
The GLS 400d runs
Mercedes’ turbocharged
2.9-litre inline six-cylinder
diesel engine with an output
of 325bhp and 516lb ft of
torque, giving it a combined
More streamlined
design has reducedthe new GLS’s drag
Standard seven-seat
GLS will be followed byluxury Bentayga rival