Mercedes GLS available to order now

The new Mercedes GLS, the replacement for the Mercedes GL, is available to order now and has a starting price of £69,100. The seven-seater SUV is available as three different models: the 3.0-litre V6 diesel-powered 350d AMG Line and 350d designo cars and the range-topping 5.5-litre V8 petrol Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.

The car has been renamed the Mercedes GLS in line with the manufacturer’s other SUVs (the Mercedes GLA, Mercedes GLC and Mercedes GLE).

Despite the new name, this isn’t an all-new car – more of a 'nip and tuck' facelift. The front grille and air intakes have been redesigned, as have the bumpers and light clusters. There are also new alloy wheel designs and paint colours to choose from when ordering.

24

Changes are more noticeable inside, where the dashboard is now dominated by a 'floating' tablet-style COMAND infotainment and sat-nav system. You also get redesigned air vents, a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and new designs of upholstery for the seats. The full range of up-to-date active safety technology is also available.

For UK buyers, the engine range is unchanged for now, comprising the GLS 350d V6 diesel that sends 258bhp through a nine-speed automatic gearbox to the wheels and the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 model, which gets 28 more horsepower than its predecessor to bring its total output to 585bhp.

Standard equipment is plentiful, with an eight-inch infotainment screen, adaptive AIRMATIC air suspension, LED headlights, leather upholstery, memory front seats, a Harmon Kardon surround-sound stereo, panoramic electric sunroof, 360-degree camera, keyless go and three-zone climate control just some of the highlights of the AMG Line kit list.

A higher-spec 'designo' trim is offered on the 350d, featuring upgraded Napa leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel and four-zone climate control.

24

The far more efficient GLS 350d will no doubt be more popular with UK buyers initially, but a GLS 500e petrol-electric plug-in hybrid model could join the range at a later date and may well challenge the diesel's economy and emissions figures.

The GLS 350d AMG Line starts at £69,100, while the even more luxurious 350d designo starts at £78,095. Anyone considering the hugely powerful AMG GLS 63 model will need to find £102,330. The entire GLS range is available to order now, with first deliveries scheduled for March 2016.