Press Information

18th May, 2016

Mercedes-Benz drives in the GLS 350 d in

India, the most luxurious SUV in its portfolio

Commences local production of the GLS 350 d

The GLS is referred to as the ‘S-Class of SUVs’

Mercedes-Benz simultaneously commences the local production of the GLS

350 d with its India launch

India has globally emerged as one of the top 10 markets for the GLS

Superior Performance: 3-litre, V6 diesel engine producing 190 kW (258 hp)

and 620 Nm of peak torque, motorized by the 9G-TRONIC transmission

First class under all conditions: The GLS 350 d features outstanding comfort

courtesy of the AIRMATIC suspension with enhanced ADS (adaptive

dampening system plus)

The GLS 350 d offers the best on-road and off-road total package, with the

innovative DYNAMIC SELECT controller comprising 5 modes: Comfort, Sport,

Slippery, Individual and Off-road

Appealing ambience: New instrument panel design with semi-integrated

media display, a modified centre console with touchpad, new appointment

colours and trim options | Panoramic Sunroof

Cutting edge technology: The GLS 350 d features the revolutionary Apple

CarPlay™ as standard

The GLS 350 d is priced at Rs. 80.40 lakhs ex-showroom Pune

New Delhi: The country’s leading luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz today

launched the new GLS 350 d, for its distinguished customers in India. With the

introduction of the GLS 350 d, Mercedes-Benz India continues its product drive in

India and boasts of the most versatile range of luxury SUVs in its portfolio. The

GLS creates new benchmark in performance, luxury appointment, use of

technology, cabin and boot space and plush interiors which is inspired by the

flagship S-Class luxury sedan. With the launch of the GLS, Mercedes-Benz yet

again reiterates its ‘top of pyramid’ product strategy by introducing the best

products from its global portfolio. The GLS 350 d was launched by Roland Folger,

Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.

Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said:

“Popularly known as the S-Class of SUVs, the introduction of the GLS underscores

Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in the luxury SUV segment in India. The GLS is the

epitome of exemplary engineering that cleverly combines unmatched space, with

delightful driving pleasure on any terrain. With the launch of the GLS, we are glad

to provide the most comprehensive luxury SUV portfolio in the country to our

discerning customers. India has a growing penchant for the SUVs and at 100%

growth achieved in 2015; it was the highest growing segment for us.”

Mr. Folger further added, “The GLS is a distinguished and versatile SUV, as it

performs effortlessly as a dynamic sports car, a luxurious cruiser or even a fully-

fledged off-roader. The GLS indulges its occupants in an opulent ambience, and

promises unsurpassed luxury experience that no other seven seater SUV can offer.

The GLS has contributed to the success of our SUV portfolio in a significant way.

India has also emerged as one of the top 10 markets for the GLS, globally. The

GLS will be locally manufactured in our world-class production facility in Pune from

its India launch. We are confident that the local production will make the GLS 350d

attractive for the eminent buyers with additional value propositions and increased

availability. This is yet another illustration of our vision of ‘Make in India’, and gives

us the opportunity to provide the newest products for our elite customers here.”

Posh and pleasant poise: Inside and out

Exteriors

The striking exterior of the GLS with the new radiator grille has the brand's Three

Pointed Star transition smoothly into the two horizontal louvres and thereby

emphasizing the value appeal and the lines of the entire front. This detail is a

hallmark trait of all SUV models from Mercedes-Benz. The modern headlamp

layout borrows from the GLE and GLE Coupé. The bonnet features two power

domes and highlights the powerful appearance of the GLS.

In concert with the full-LED tail lights with a new layout and the hallmark night

design of the brand, the integrated trapezoidal chrome tailpipe trim elements round

off the exterior design in grand style. The new GLS reflects harmony and modern

luxury expressed in a large-size SUV format. Chrome-look details such as the roof

rails, underbody protection, beltline trim strip, luggage compartment handle and

side sill trim add attractive highlights. The GLS sports a 50.8 cm (20-inch) 10-spoke

light-alloy wheels that further enhances the sporty appeal of the SUV.

Interiors

The interior offers the S-Class standard among SUVs. Furthermore, up to seven

passengers can enjoy an outstanding level of comfortable spaciousness. The

powerfully dynamic and elegant interior architecture, refined materials, a great love

of detail, good ergonomics and the generous space – the interior of the GLS

conveys the hallmark feel-good atmosphere of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In terms

of storage space, the GLS provides a volume of 680 to 2300 litres and as such

clearly surpasses the amount of space offered by the vehicle's European

competitors. Of particular note in the high-quality elegant interior are a new heated

3-spoke multifunction nappa leather steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift

paddles, 12 function keys and an airbag cover in nappa leather, instruments with

modified details as well as a redesigned instrument panel with semi-integrated

colour Media Display. The latter offers an even better experience of the vehicle

functions thanks to photo-realistic displays of images and graphics. A unique and

first ever feature that enhances the environment inside the GLS is the Apple

CarPlay™. It provides options to make calls, listen to music, send and receive text

messages and also provides access to select third-party apps that are approved by

Apple CarPlay™.

Potent power and performance:

Under the hood of the new GLS 350 d is a powerful 3-litre, V6 diesel engine that

produces 258 hp and a raucous 620 Nm of peak torque. The engine is motorized

by the revolutionary 9G-TRONIC transmission from Mercedes-Benz. The 9G-

TRONIC in the GLS 350 d has a more dynamic response and ensures reduced fuel

consumption. The high efficiency is resultant of a reduced torque converter slip.

The 9G-TRONIC auto transmission enhances driving pleasure due to dynamic

gearshifts and response characteristics with smooth gear changes.

Technical Specifications GLS 350 d

Arrangement/no. of cylinders V 6

Total displacement (cc) 2,987

Power kw(hp)@rpm 190 kW [258] @ 3400 rpm

Torque (Nm) @ rpm 620 @ 1600-2400 rpm

Acceleration 0 –100 km/h (s) 7.8

Key product features:

9-G TRONIC: 9-Speed Automatic Transmission

DYNAMIC SELECT controller with 5 modes: Comfort, Sport, Slippery, Individual

and Off-road

Panoramic sunroof

Full LED Headlamps with Intelligent Light System

Adaptive highbeam Assist Plus

4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive System

AIRMATIC suspension with Adaptive Dampening System Plus

New Generation Telematics (NTG 5*1)

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay™

COMAND Online with 20.3 cm (8-inches) high resolution media display and

Touchpad

Mirror package with brand logo projection

Memory package for driver and front passenger

Parking package with Active Parking Assist and 360° camera

Supreme safety for all seven occupants

A host of active and passive safety features relieve the burden on the driver and

protect the occupants of the GLS. As standard on the GLS are the PRE-SAFE®

system, BAS Brake Assist, the electronic all-wheel drive traction system 4ETS,

ESP® with Curve Dynamic Assist and cruise control. Optimal protection potential is

provided by the passive occupant protection systems together with the "electronic

crumple zones" of the assistance systems and the intelligent body design. Adaptive,

two-stage airbags for driver and front passenger, side bags for driver, front

passenger and the middle row seats (combined thorax/pelvisbags) and windowbags

across all three seat rows are also part of the standard specification. In addition, the

GLS is fitted with three-point safety belts on all seven seats.

Upholstery

ARTICO man-made leather black

ARTICO man-made leather espresso brown (available with white exterior

only)

ARTICO man-made leather ginger beige / espresso brown

Trims

Light aluminum trim with longitudinal grain

Open-pore brown ash wood trim

Exterior Paints

Citrine brown metallic

Designo diamond white bright

Cavansite blue metallic

Obsidian black metallic

Iridium silver metallic

Tenorite grey metallic

About Mercedes-Benz India:

Established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. pioneered the luxury car market in India

and boasts of more than 130 years of cutting edge innovation in the luxury automobile

industry globally. Set up in 2009, Mercedes-Benz India’s world class production facility is

spread over 100 acres in Chakan near Pune. Since June 2015, Mercedes-Benz India also

commenced production from its new expanded production facility located in the same

premises. The production facility now carries an investment of INR 1000+ crores and has the

largest installed production capacity for any luxury car maker in India.

Mercedes-Benz India product portfolio comprises the locally produced Mercedes Maybach S

500, S-Class, E-Class, C-Class, CLA sedans and the GLA, GLE and the GLS SUVs.

Completely Built imported cars portfolio includes the A-Class, B-Class, CLS, SLK, E-Class

Cabriolet, S-Class Coupé, and the S 600 Guard a range of other Guard vehicles etc. The

product portfolio also comprises the iconic off-roader Mercedes-AMG G 63 as well as a wide

range of other Mercedes-AMG performance cars like the AMG CLA 45, AMG C 63 S, AMG

E 63, AMG SLK 55, AMG S 63 Coupe, AMG GL 63, AMG ML 63, AMG S 63, AMG GLA 45,

GLE 450 AMG Coupe and AMG GT S. Given Mercedes-Benz’s continuous success in India

across myriad spectrum of sales, network, operations, services, finance, etc. 2016 will be the

cornerstone to inculcate the spirit of winning despite emerging market challenges.

‘Winning with Mercedes-Benz’ philosophy is also derived from the unrivalled success

created by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team in the highly competitive Formula 1 in the

past years. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz will initiate a range of innovative customer oriented

initiatives which are ‘winning’ in nature and will further underline the brand’s strong customer

centric approach. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz began its ‘winning’ motto with the launch of the

fascinating GLE 450 AMG Coupe, as the first product of the year. The second launch

Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard is the costliest product from Mercedes-Benz India fleet.

The third launch of the year was S400 from Mercedes-Benz India. The luxurious SUV GLS

350 d is the fourth launch of the year. The company has also been ranked number one in the

J.D. Power Customer Service Index 2015, among the luxury brands for the second year in a

row. Mercedes-Benz India registered a historic 32% year-on-year growth by selling 13502

units in the Jan–December 2015 period and became the No. 1 luxury car brand in terms of

sales volumes. Mercedes-Benz scripted historic sales for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year, selling

13,558 units between April 2015 and March 2016. The company clocked in the best quarter

in January to March 2016 period by selling 3,622 units. For the third consecutive year,

Mercedes-Benz India has witnessed a double digit growth and has emerged as the ‘most

awarded luxury car brand’ in India. The brand has won as many as 30 prestigious

automotive awards conferred by different media houses across India, the highest won by

any luxury automotive brand in India this year.

For more details, please visit www.mercedes-benz.co.in

Media Contact: Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd.:

Shekhar Das Chowdhury | shekhar.daschowdhury@daimler.com |+91 98508 36477

Reuben George | reuben.george@daimler.com | +91 9823969057