Mercedes will change the logistics of the future SUVs as mercedesblog.com already announced. Auto Bild, the no. 1 car magazine in Europe, revealed the plans for the future GLE and GLS.
The future big class SUVs Mercedes ML (GLE) and GL (GLS) will use a new lightweight platform. After the facelift which will follow next year, Mercedes will launch a completely ML new generation (GLE) in 2018 and a new GL (GLS) in 2019.
The successor of ML, which will be named GLE, will use a lightweight and more flexible platform.
Read more about the Mercedes ML facelift for 2015
One of the main targets of the new generation is the weight reduction and to increase efficiency. The simplest way to increase efficiency is to give up the well above average legendary off-road capabilities of ML and GL. But Mercedes do not want to use this way.
So, according to Auto Bild car magazine, the new architecture will keep the high ground clearance, a long wheel travel and the two stage reduction. But the future ML will be 140 kg lighter and the drag coefficient will decrease from the current 0.32 to 0.30 by optimization of the air suspension, gearbox and 4wheel drive system. And after the idea from BMW, the future base ML will use the rear wheel drive. Mercedes promise that the next generation of the ML will have a 20% lower consumption.
The V8 will survive only in the GLE 63 AMG but not in the actual form of 5.5 liter. GLE 63 AMG will use the new 4 liter V8 bi-turbo.
Mercedes will launch a new generation of 6 in-line diesel and petrol engines
The 4.7 liter V8 bi-turbo will be replaced by the new 6 in-line three liter turbo engine, which will deliver 435 HP according to Auto Bild. The petro, turbo range will be completed with the two powerful 2 litre 4 cylinder engines with 231 and 272 HP. A 6 in-line configuration will be available also for the new 2.9 liter turbodiesel engine which will deliver up to 408 HP in the top version. This could be the most powerful diesel engine in the world. And all these engines will be mated with the new 9-speed automatic gearbox.
A Plug-In Hybrid will complete the range and will combine the 109 HP electric motor with a two liter turbo which will deliver together 279 HP and 550 Nm. The expected fuel consumption is 3.5 l/100 km.
The future GL will use the same name logistics and will bear the name GLS (GL for SUV category and S to show it belong to S-Class family). It will preserve the seven seats as standard and and an wheelbase over three meters. According to Auto Bild, as in case of the new S-Class saloon, Mercedes planned several luxury versions: a first class four seats with two individual reclining seats in the rear and a huge boot or a six seater with multimedia conference facilities. In the same time, the future GLS will benefit of all active safety and assistance systems from the S-Class saloon. The wheels offer will change from 20 or 21 inches to 22 and 23 inches.
Read more about Mercedes GL facelift for 2015
It seems that a V8 will remain in the offer for GLS but the displacement will shrink from 4.7 to 4.0 liter meanwhile the output will increase from 435 to 462 HP. The Plug-In Hybird version will take over the propulsion system from actual S 500 Plug-In Hybrid. An electric motor with 116 HP/340 Nm will join forces with the 3 liter V6 turbo with 333 HP/480 Nm and the whole system will deliver 442 HP and 650 Nm with a fuel consumption of only 3.9 l/100 km.
Who understand german language, could read the full article here.
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Dear sir,
This rendering was made by Auto Bild Germany and we mention the source. It is very clear that this is an artist impression and it is a long way to the final car.
As we wrote, the GLS will go upmarket to follow the trend of the new and future superluxury SUV from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Audi, BMW X7. Is very probably that the next GLS will get a Maybach version to follow this trend. The pictures we published are the only published by Auto Bild.