rumor has it that 2017 E-Class will have digital screen like new S-Class...

 

Mercedes-Benz SUV portfolio to expand
Upper luxury and sports models on the hit list for a growing SUV range.

Mercedes-Benz is planning to expand its five-strong SUV model range with more models covering the luxury and sporty genres.

Gone are the days when an SUV was a utilitarian vehicle capable of going off-road.

While those cars still exist, the latest models are more about looking good and fitting lots of people and their gear in.

But a new emerging breed of niche-focused SUVs is set to challenge traditional sports cars for performance, and luxury cars for comfort and features.

"Of course we are thinking many variants and many opportunities," said Wolf-Dieter Kurz, Mercedes-Benz vice president product group for SUVs and sports cars.

An ultra luxury model - to compete with upcoming SUVs from the likes of Bentley and Jaguar - was also being considered, said Kurz.

It's likely such a vehicle would be based on the new GLS, a car that will replace the current GL as the brand's largest SUV.

However it could wear the Maybach badge and bring plenty more luxury features and some unique design touches.

Kurz suggested that while the mainstream Benz SUV range – consisting of the baby GLA, upcoming mid-sized GLC, soon-to-arrive ML replacement called GLE (to be sold in wagon and sportier coupe body styles), soon-to-be-renamed GL (as GLS) boxy and rugged-G-Wagen – would likely be joined by spin-offs and variants designed to capitalise on the unrelenting demand for high-riding wagons.

"I feel that the SUV segment … will be also in future the one that sees the most derivatives in the outskirts of the portfolio," said Kurz.

Kurz hinted a lower-slung, family friendly SUV with some sporting pretensions was being considered.

He put forward the R-Class as the sort of concept he believes could get interest.

"These more on-road based but still very roomy but not station wagon; it's definitely an interesting segment in the future."

Kurz said there were "many ideas" but no decisions regard the expanded car.

"There are lots of discussions because we are dealing with the question what will the future SUV look like."

Kurz also said hybrid technology – which includes full or electric drivetrains – is likely to expand from the GLE and upcoming GLC that currently offer it overseas.

"That's also why we put lots of efforts into fuel efficiency and also into hybrid vehicles, because that's the key to success of the future of the vehicle.

As for the trusty G-Wagen, it's going nowhere fast.

Kurz said the G-Class – which has a boxy and rugged high riding off-road wagon – which first appeared in the late 1970s was a unique vehicle and one the brand had no point in dropping.

"It will survive as long as we can find customers," said Kurz.

Source: http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/m...17-ghpqx2.html

 

You are correct. Thats why I think the GLS may get a fully digital dash when it gets a full refresh in a few years.



2017 E-Class interior spied

 

Yes it'd be with complete GLS refresh.

Looks like the rumours for spring/Mid cycle refresh from GL to GLS could be very credible. Can't wait for it!

 

Until I see internal confirmation for North America - this kind of stuff continues to contaminate this thread:

"Looks like the rumours for spring/Mid cycle refresh from GL to GLS could be very credible. Can't wait for it!"

 

Heard it through the dir of sales at one of the biggest Silicon Valley MB dealership.

Look forward to your update.

 

This is what my dealer told me;
the facelifted GLS is due to start production in USA in Jan 2016, so we will likely see in Mar/Apr 2016 (here is UAE)

 

To bad some get bent out of shape when anyone else posts their thoughts or what a dealership may have told them about release dates for the GLS but this is all in good fun and hurts no one. Its certainly possible that MB will not release the GLS until next spring/summer but why do so many news outlets point to an earlier release? Are these outlets pulling these dates out of thin air? Maybe. The GLE Coupe was revealed in January and was added to the web site a few days ago, roughly six months later. The GLE was revealed on April 1 so we will have to wait to see when it officially becomes available for order. The news outlets all say August and September. If that turns out to be true, then a reveal of the GLS later this year (some outlets point to Frankfurt in September) could mean ordering will begin 6 months after that. Of course MB hasn't revealed anything about the new GLS. So like or not, we just have to wait and see. Whenever it comes it will be anticipated by many potential buyers, me included.

 

Ordering banks for 2016 GLE models AND GLE coupes are open. There are several that have 'locked' in production. 2016 GLE models and GLE coupes will be in showrooms in August...

 

I cannot imagine how the GLS can be available in other countries much earlier than in the US. Aren't they all produced in the one factory? Or does that factory have parallel production lines? Country to country models do differ in small ways, so I guess there has to be some way production is adjusted from small batch to batch, especially for markets where the steering moves to the opposite side, but also for engines (there are engine specifications not available in the US).

Perhaps they can still be producing US model to the older spec longer as first sample being produced and the model passing all certification in a specific market could have quite a delay?

It seems feasible that GLS refresh cars in some form will be available at the end of this year or very beginning of next year, but actual production US cars meeting all US certification will still only arrive much closer to the regular new model time than you would expect.

 

So... coming back to UAE - the answer Spring 2016 for "refreshed" GLS - probably yes, UAE always gets new models ahead of the rest of the world - it's a small # and the highest profit of any MB territory in the world...

1st SLS - 1st GTS - etc.. good "consumer quality testing" for new models as well...

 

Oh - just to be accurate - the "same internet sources" are the same dumbo's who also were referenced that MY2016 was going to be the GLS - which takes up at least 40% of the original thread here... consider the source - wrong info on top of wrong info.

Keep the beat !

 

No, produced in India as well now, perhaps other locations.

 

I had thought they were only assembled in India for the Indian market. Is it complete production, and do you know if there are exports?

On another note there is a suggestion the new E class will feature a new 2.9litre diesel with 400bhp (298kw). It would be amazing to have an engine such as this in the GLS at some stage!

 

More GLS timeframe BS? Decide for yourself:
http://mercedesblog.com/new-spy-shot...-mercedes-gls/

 

Is that an old article? It says March 6, 2015.

 

Look - I tried to straighten out this GLS badging mess that got started - and carried on and on and on here - I guess that took about 6 weeks.

What I am saying is this - I have not seen ANY MBUSA internal communication on early release of MY2017 GLS - and on the "confidential" MBUSA dealer meeting two weeks ago in Las Vegas no mention there either.

Now - a LOT of MB stuff happening - and if GLS changes from cycle I will post on the forum.

 

Thx!

 

:-)

 

I contacted Mercedes Canada (head office) and they informed me that the 2016 GL will be the same as 2015 GL, no physical changes at all, and no updated badge.

2017 GLS will be available spring 2016, updated badge and interior facelift + new headlights front and back AKA mid cycle refresh.

2017 GLS deposits have already started.

Since I am needing another vehicle before the GLS launch next year, I will likely lease a benz for a 6 months. Spoke with a dealership owner and they would have no problems leasing an older 2014-2015 benz for me to get to work until spring 2016 at a really good price.

 

Updated GL (X166) Spotted in Sindelfingen
The Mercedes-Benz GL mid-cycle facelift launches with the new name "GLS". It's supposed to become available to order in November 2015 followed by the market launch in spring 2016. The car is much more masculine and aggressive in the revised version than it used to be - and will also sport the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic. The hood is higher, and will also receive power domes regardless of which powertrain is selected.

The rear bumper and light graphics will be updated, while the interior changes follow the M-Class (now named GLE, W166) facelift. Wheels range up to 22 inches in diameter. Also new for the GLS is a Night Package as well as a Dynamic Select chassis. The GLS 63 by Mercedes-AMG is to remain the top model.

Here is a very short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW4A...re=youtu.be&a=

 

 

Sharing more pics....

 

And video:

 

Those tail lights on the white one don't appear to be any different. I thought the refresh had different tails?