Saar: The Grand Edition trickery is available to order with either the diesel engine (350 d) or the petrol mill (400).

Mercedes-Benz India knows only one way to play the game and that is on the front foot. Without wasting much time after the 2018 Auto Expo, the German carmaker has now expanded the variant-list of its flagship SUV, the GLS. The company has launched two new variants – the GLS 350 d Grand Edition and the GLS 400 Grand Edition. Interestingly, both are priced at Rs 86.90 lakh (ex-showroom India). Let’s quickly see what it has to offer over the standard variants.

On the outside, the LED intelligent light system comes with unique black rings. The technology helps in enhancing visibility by automatically adapting to pertaining driving and weather conditions. Intelligence goes deeper than that as the low-beam is automatically activated when speed goes above 90kmph. This will surely save the common man from big idiots with big pockets, driving insanely fast with the headlamps on full-beam. There’s more to it. The active light function swings the headlamps either way by up to 15 degrees. That, in collaboration with corner light function, improves visibility while turning.

Then there are the wheels – 10-spoke 20-inch alloys which are painted in black and with a high-sheen finish. If all these enhancements aren’t enough for a thick-minded person to know that this is the Grand Edition, the ‘Grand Edition’ badges and chrome fins on the bonnet will surely float his/her boat. Inside the cabin, the GLS Grand Edition gets rear seat entertainment system as standard. It comprises of two 7-inch, high definition screens to enjoy your favourite videos. To top it all, the infotainment system also gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Roland Folger, who is the master of the luxury car market in India and is professionally the MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The GLS popularly referred to as the ‘S-Class of SUVs’, boasts of unparalleled levels of luxury combined with impressive comfort, agile dynamics and also best-in-class safety. Put to everyday use or venturing off the beaten track, the GLS never disappoints and effortlessly meets all requirements. Indians have a penchant for SUVs and this has pushed India to emerge as the Top 6 markets globally for the GLS, reiterating the vehicles unmatched popularity. We are extremely confident that the ‘GLS Grand Edition’ will continue to remain at the top of customer preference creating a new benchmark. Mercedes-Benz India will keep striving to push the boundaries in the luxury automotive segment by driving innovation and excellence not only in our wide product line-up but also in our customer service offerings and the overall vehicle ownership.”

As far as the firepower is concerned, the 350 d gets it from a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that puts out 258PS/620Nm whereas the 400 is equipped with 3.0-litre V6 petrol motor that has 333PS/480Nm on tap. Both engines come mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. While the diesel completes the naught to 100kmph sprint in 7.8 seconds, the petrol takes just 6.8 seconds. That’s not bad when you consider the sheer size of this seven-seater SUV.

The GLS Grand Edition comes with pre-defined service packages, which are bifurcated on the basis of vehicle age and mileages. The packages for the GLS 400 start at Rs 75,000 and for the GLS 350 d at 1.04 lakh. Both are for a duration of two years. However, Mercedes-Benz will offer more packages and flexibility in services which can last up 10 years from the date of sale.