Grand designs for luxury SUVs

Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled its ultimate luxury off-roading GL ‘Grand Edition’. With a steady growth in the SUV market, will this new product emerge as a winner? Ammar Alvi finds out.

India’s luxury SUV segment is flooded with the likes of Audi Q7, BMW X5, Range Rover, Land Rover, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg. Then there is the Mercedes-Benz M class. If you thought one model was enough from M-B, think again. The Germans want to capture as much share as possible of this  segment by introducing more variants. GL ‘Grand Edition’ is a good example of that, and has a different appeal that could go down well with Indian consumers.

The exclusive front-end design of the Grand Edition is unique, with tinted headlamps, a radiator grille with black, high-sheen louvres, and a redesigned front bumper with integrated LED running lamps. There are other visual highlights, such as a metallic paint finish, heat-insulating and infra-red-reflecting laminated glass, aluminum-look running boards with rubber studs, and divided exhaust tailpipe trim.

The Grand Edition packs convenient features like EASY-PACK tailgate and a practical, electronically-folding third-row seat, that ensures convenience. Although it’s size is intimidating, parking is easy with its PARKTRONIC and COMAND APS systems. The THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control helps maintain different temperatures for the driver, front and rear passengers, giving each their own comfort zone.

It’s spaciousness and comfort is at par with that of a luxury saloon. Exclusive features include unique light alloy wheels with 50.8 cm (20”) tyres in Himalayan Grey Metallic, with a high-sheen finish. The rich quality, new two-tone leather seats with individual fluting and contrasting topstitching, is also exclusive. It accommodates up to seven people with exceptional spaciousness. Comfort headrests for the driver and navigator, ambient lighting, roof liner in black, velour floor mats with contrasting stitching and ‘Grand Edition’ lettering, ‘Grand Edition’ badge on the centre console, adds to the allure of the vehicle.

Says Debashis Mitra, sales and marketing director at M-B India, “Grand Edition has been priced aggressively for India, and its introduction will further strengthen our dominance in luxury SUVs. With its proven off-roading prowess and luxurious interiors, it is ideal for the growing off-road aficionados in India.”

The engine is a 3 litre V6 beast that produces 220 Hp and ensures remarkable handling and comfort. There is the 4MATIC all-wheel drive, AIRMATIC air suspension, Direct-Steer system and the Adaptive Damping System. While the GL cuts an imposing figure on the asphalt, it also has legitimate off-road credentials.  

It will be available in two variants, Executive (Rs 60.99 lakh) and Luxury (Rs 65.50 lakh).