Mercedes-Benz South Africa has quietly added the GLS580 4Matic to its configurator, doubling the local GLS line-up to two derivatives (with the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS also on the horizon).
Back in July 2019, the firm published pricing for the GLS400d 4Matic but now a petrol-powered variant has been added to the mix.
The three-row GLS580 is powered by an electrified twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 petrol engine, complete with a 48 V on-board electrical system and integrated starter-generator. Peak outputs are 360 kW and 700 N.m of torque, with a further 16 kW and 250 N.m on tap via the EQ Boost function for “short periods”.
With drive directed to all four corners via a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Stuttgart-based company claims the GLS580 will hit 100 km/h from standstill in 5,3 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h.
Pricing for the seven-seater GLS580 starts at R1 729 030, with items such as 20-inch alloy wheels, air suspension, black leather upholstery, a small sunroof, heated (and cooled) front seats, the MBUX infotainment system, the widescreen cockpit, wireless smartphone charging, various driver assistance features and a Burmester surround sound system shipping as standard.
The lengthy list of options, meanwhile, includes an AMG Line exterior package (R62 000), an off-road engineering package (R32 300), various wheel designs (up to 23 inches in diameter), a panoramic sliding sunroof (R27 300), a wood/leather multifunctional steering wheel (R10 000) and E-Active Body Control (R110 600).
As a reminder, this latest-generation version of the GLS is even larger than the preceding model, growing in length by 77 mm (to 5 207 mm) and in width by 22 mm (to 1 956 mm), with an extra 60 mm slotted between its axles (for a wheelbase of 3 135 mm).
All three rows of seats are electrically adjustable, offering what Mercedes-Benz calls “a generous amount of space and outstanding seating comfort”. The seats in the third row can be lowered into the floor to increase luggage space (up to 2 400 litres, says Mercedes), while the pews in the second row also fold flat.
