Mercedes-Benz GLS (GL-Class facelift) revealed

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the facelifted GL-Class SUV and as per the German automaker's new model nomenclature, it will now be known as the GLS-Class.

The SUV gets a new set of headlights with DRLs, tweaked tail lights, a new and meatier front grille, new front and rear bumpers, along with updated alloy wheel designs.

On the inside, the infotainment system display is now a free standing tablet, rather than being integrated into the dashboard. The cabin also features a 3-spoke steering wheel, tweaked instrument cluster, restyled AC vents and a new touchpad controller.

Powertrain options remain largely the same. The India bound GLS350d 4MATIC is powered by a 3.0L diesel V6 engine that makes 255 BHP and 617 Nm of torque. Other variants (in the USA) include the 3.0L, V6 - GLS450 4MATIC (362 BHP / 500 Nm), the 4.7L, V8 - GLS550 4MATIC (449 BHP / 699 Nm) and the 5.5L, V8 - GLS63 (577 BHP / 760 Nm). Save for the GLS63 (also India bound), the GLS range gets a new 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic gearbox, while the GLS63 gets AMG's Speedshift 7-speed automatic.

Driver assistance and safety features include cruise control, brake assist, ESP, collision prevention assist plus, crosswind assist, attention assist and PRE-SAFE. Other features available include distronic plus with steering assist, active lane keeping assist, speed limit assist, BAS PLUS with cross-traffic assist, active blind spot assist and PRE-SAFE braking with pedestrian detection.

Bookings in the USA begin from next month, with deliveries expected in March 2016. The current GL-Class SUV is offered as a locally assembled model in India. The GLS-Class will make its Indian debut in 2016, though an official launch time frame hasn’t been officially stated.