Mercedes-Benz launches GLS 350d in India

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday launched an upgraded version of its seven-seater sports utility vehicle GLS 350d in India, priced at Rs 80.4 lakh (ex-showroom Pune). The new Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing peak power of 251bhp and peak torque of 620Nm, mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox powering all four wheels of the GLS '4MATIC' all-wheel-drive system.

"India has growing penchant for SUVs and at 100 per cent growth achieved in 2015, it was the highest growing segment for us," Mercedes-Benz Managing Director and CEO Roland Folger told reporters here. The model would be assembled at the company's Chakan (Pune) based manufacturing facility, he added.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV comes with an 8-inch standalone tablet screen with touchpad control. The SUV also gets a new 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel covered in Nappa leather, Dynamic Select with five driving modes and 21-inch AMG-light alloy wheels.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV comes with a re-worked front fascia with a new twin slat grille carrying the company logo on it. The re-designed headlamp comes with LED DRLs, along with re-designed front and rear bumpers. The model, which is above 2,000 cc, would not be sold in Delhi-NCR market due to the ban imposed by the Supreme Court. Mercedes-Benz launches GLS 350d in India for Rs 80.4 lakh