Does Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d Prove the Woke Car Industry Has it All Wrong?
Why the US is missing a trick with the ‘S Class of SUVs’ Mercedes GLS 400d.
Having spent ample time with both Mercedes’s petrol Benz GLS 580 and AMG’s wild 63 S, we were keen to get our hands on the turbodiesel 400d version of the S Class of SUVs. Diesel cars have never been a big deal in the US, so this car was never a starter there. That said, I for one reckon it would do very well in the ’States. So keen to get to know it better, we lined a GLS 400d up for a long planned road trip week to the African Drakensburg.
But there’s another side to this story that very much gets this died in the wool petrol head’s goat. The fact that this woke green car industry is hell-bent on exorcising diesel propulsion from all roads around the world. In what promises to become among the most misguided motoring mishaps in history.
Delectable GLS 400d Defies the Diesel Plight
So, before we delve into this delectable Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d, let’s talk about the plight of the diesel engine. Never a starter in the US, derv was just beginning to gain traction in the ‘States as it had over in Europe. Until Dieselgate struck. Remember that? When among Europe’s top carmakers were caught dodging car emissions? In racing, they reckon that you’re only a cheat if you are caught cheating. Well guess what!
Volkswagen, among others, ultimately coughed up $25 billion in penalties for its carbon sins. Now in its spades of mea culpa self-pity, that company has vowed to deliver an all-electric future. And many of its auto industry rivals are following Wolfsburg’s single-minded electric example. All while diesel is quite simply being shown the door. Which is tragic. Especially considering brilliant cars like this.
How good diesels can be, became patently evident within a few minutes of taking the wheel of this fine machine. We were thoroughly impressed. Agile yet comfortable, the diesel version of S-Class of SUVs is a splendid car to drive. It doesn’t feel like it’s a diesel engine. Its torque is beneficial to every aspect of its envelope. To make it so easy to drive. The über torquey GLS 400d is great on the open road — so much so that you’d swear that you’re pedaling a petrol 580.
Mercedes is a Premium Sport Ute Leader
Getting back to the GLS, Mercedes-Benz has been a premium Sport Utility leader since it invented the genre with the M-Class back in ‘97. SUVs are now key pillar in the Mercedes range. Then Benz introduced the original full-size seven-seater GL in 2006. That car was facelifted and re-badged GLS in 2015 as it placed significant emphasis on luxury. The 2015 update further outed its luxury character and this one has now gone another step.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d’s striking Mercedes grille and distinctive headlamp design leads into an imposing is slab-sided profile. Its 0.32 coefficient of drag is also far more slippery than its 0.35 cd predecessor. It gets busier further back — powerful haunches extend around to caress the taillights. Its sheer size sets GLS apart from the rest of the G range.
Step aboard and its cabin defines the synthesis of modern, luxurious aesthetics. Merc promises the best of all worlds GLS delivers hallmark SUV practicality and digital high-tech. Having had more than ample time to sample its V8 biturbo petrol siblings, we were quietly anticipating this 325 HP 516 lb.-ft GLS 400 d 4Matic turbodiesel straight six. As much for the abovementioned quandary as we wanted to sample the acme of derv SUVs.