SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Luxurious power: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic

Almost like home

Posted: 4 September 2016

The numbers
Base price: R2 256 052
Engine: 5461 cc, biturbo, direct injection, V8
Power: 430 kW at 5500 rpm
Torque: 760 Nm between 1750 and 5250 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 4.6 seconds
Maximum speed: 250 km/h (governed)
Real life fuel consumption: About 18.1 l/100 km
Tank: 100 litres
Luggage: 680 – 2300 litres
Off-road specs: See text
Warranty and maintenance: 6 years / 100 000 km

The perspective: GLS is the new name for Mercedes-Benz’s top level SUV; what was previously called GL-Class. All the company’s SUVs now wear the prefix GL followed by A, C, E or S to denote the sedan class on which their equipment is based. GLS is therefore the S-Class of Mercedes’ SUVs.

The slot: Three GLS models are available in South Africa at present although more can be had in other markets. Ours are a three-litre diesel marked 350d, a 4.7-litre petrol V8 marked 500 and a 5.5-litre petrol V8 marked AMG 63. All boast 4Matic all-wheel drive. The cars with lower numbers have their awd biased 50:50 whereas that on the AMG 63 is biased 40:60 (front to rear).

Smaller-engined versions use nine-speed automatic transmissions while the AMG 63 is fitted with the rather special AMG SpeedshiftPlus 7G-Tronic box. As you rise per size, wheel rims get bigger and tyre profiles lower. Standard-issue rubberware runs from 265/60 R18 via 275/55 R19 to 295/40 R21, although buyers can mix and match by ticking options boxes.

Only the 350d and 500 can be given extra off-road capability by specifying the R26 000, On and Off Road package. It includes a drive program switch, animations in the Comand display, manual mode, lockable centre differential, adaptive 4ETS (electronic traction system) for both axles, low range gearing, engine shield, reinforced underbody panelling and special off-road algorithms for ABS, ETS, ESP and air suspension. The AMG retains the suspension lifting feature that increases ground clearance from its initial 213 mm to 307 mm. Wading depth at this height is 600 mm.

AMG-specific equipment: Apart from items mentioned above, the top model gains bigger brakes; a sportier version of 4matic and a collapsible, rather than mini, spare.  Added kit includes a reversing camera; Active Curve roll stabilisation; laminated safety glass with privacy tinting; running boards; heated rear seats; Artico dashboard and beltline; automatic front-passenger airbag deactivation and red brake calipers. These items, optioned onto other models, would add R98 450 to the bill.

Further AMG-specifics include an external styling kit, door sills, floor mats, speed-sensitive steering, sports exhaust system and suspension, special seats, pedal cluster and instruments. All these contribute to justifying its R820 500 price premium over a standard “500”. More than simply a stronger engine, the new AMG puts out 20 kilowatts more power, but the same torque as previously, to clip three-tenths of a second off the old zero-to-100 km/h time.

AMG-only options include a Driver’s Package at R37 500 to boost top speed from its governed 250 km/h to 280; an AMG carbon fibre engine cover at R27 500 and a performance exhaust system at R9 900.

So what does the “S-Class of SUVS” actually give you? There’s lots of space, big power, tons of equipment and very little to flex your own muscles over, for a start.
It’s a seven-seater that comfortably accommodates fully-grown passengers in the rearmost chairs. They have their own cup holders and enjoy aircon repeater vents in the ceiling. These seats lift into position or repack into the floor, automatically, using electric motors controlled from the rear door frames or from the luggage area.

You gain entry by folding and tumbling either of the outer second-row seats (the backrest splits 40:20:40) again, by remote control. You simply stab the tab on top of a backrest but (horrors!) they have to be lifted back into place manually. Luckily, the person sitting behind can do so, without getting up, by pulling on a convenient handle.

Second-row seating is almost like being at home. Head-, knee- and foot space is beyond adequate, a full set of air controls is provided, there are two 12-volt sockets for accessories and a pair of cup holders supplements the medium-sized door bins. Making life bearable for the middle passenger, the central hump is almost nonexistent while the flat floor makes getting in and out fairly decorous. Running boards, standard on this AMG version, make it easier.

As for power, this machine has all you could need. Getting mobile and past slowly moving traffic happens at about the speed of thought, hills are flattened and loads are pulled easily. The hitch and anti-sway is built in, while braked towing capacity is given as 3290 kg by Mercedes-Benz UK. American sources claim 7500 pounds which is closer to 3400 kg, but it might be better to be conservative.

Speaking of which; the GLS-AMG has tons of safety- and convenience kit, the interior has been tweaked since 2013 with a new vertical touch screen and a mouse to supplement the rotary controller and there have been external cosmetic updates. But it still looks old-fashioned, inside and out. That’s unfortunate because most other Mercedes’ have brightened their appearances recently. It’s admittedly a matter of personal opinion because a fan, to whom I gave the tour, called it “reassuring.”

Test unit from MBSA press fleet

Read our launch report on the 2013 GL range here

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What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
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