The S-Class of SUVs, the 2020
GLS, has been spotted in the most revealing shots yet. Mercedes confirmed that the new 2020 GLS will celebrate its world premiere at next
week’s New York Auto Show. The spy shooters snapped the full-size luxury SUV outside
the Mercedes-Benz R&D center in Sindelfingen, Germany. The prototype is
wearing less camouflage than ever before, with the lateral doors ditching all
disguise material.
The front and rear ends are still completely covered
in camouflage but the cutouts of the LED headlights and taillights are visible,
as is a portion of the front skid plate under the fake bumper. The massive
front grille and bulged fenders are also hard to miss.
The seven-seat luxury SUV will share the MHA
(Modular High Architecture) platform with the new GLE, allowing it to shed a
lot of weight compared to the current-generation GLS (despite being slightly
larger), while also adopting the active E-Active Body Control suspension based
on a 48-volt network. The 2020 GLS will be a real seven-seater that will compete directly
with the BMW X7. The interior is expected to be the most luxurious yet,
bringing S-Class levels of quality and craftsmanship. According to Benz, the
new model will offer increased levels of “spaciousness”, especially in the
second seat row that benefits from the 60 mm longer wheelbase
standing at 3,137 mm. That’s even longer than the BMW X7’s 3,104 mm wheelbase.
The tech will also be state-of-the-art, with the new
GLS adopting the new MBUX infotainment system with two massive displays, as
well as a wide range of driver assistance systems. The flexible architecture will
accommodate both six- and eight-cylinder engines in both rear- and
all-wheel-drive applications. Expect some hybrid or plug-in hybrid variants as
well. The GLS63 performance version will likely use the twin-turbocharged
4.0-liter V8 engine instead of the current model’s 5.5-liter unit. Theoretically,
that could mean the peak output will increase from 585 PS to 612 PS. At the very top of the ladder will be the Mercedes-Maybach versions,
a first for the GLS nameplate.
In the United States, the 2020 Mercedes GLS is
expected to offer straight-six gasoline and diesel engines, a hybrid version,
and the top-dog GLS63.
