Let's be honest, the word "diesel" usually conjures images of clattery workhorses. Refinement? Evocative? Not typically in the diesel’s dictionary. And then, along comes the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d AMG Line, like a tuxedo-clad bouncer – all brawn, but with an unexpected silk lining. For the underworld, this is a perfect massive Mafia mover.
This isn't just another luxury SUV; it's a defiant roar against the dying light of the diesel era, a reminder of why we once, quite genuinely, adored these oil-burning beasts. And frankly, it's got enough AMG swagger to make a G-Wagen blush. Oh, and at 5209 mm long and 2157 mm wide, its dimensions are practically bigger than a typical 2BHK apartment in Mumbai – good luck parallel parking this beast without a personal valet!
The Verdict: A Swan Song in an AMG Tuxedo
So, what exactly is the GLS AMG Line? Is it a luxury cruiser with sporty pretensions, or an AMG with softened edges? Honestly, it’s both. It’s the GLS you acquire when you’ve graduated from the primal scream of a full-fat AMG but aren’t quite ready to trade in your driving gloves for Maybach-level plushness. It sits confidently in the middle, utterly unashamed of its dual identity.
And beyond all that, it’s a stylish, sophisticated salute to diesel’s golden age, cleverly disguised as a contemporary luxury cruiser. This is the kind of car you’ll buy not just for its undeniable brilliance today, but for the nostalgic grin it’ll conjure every single time you floor it tomorrow.
While the top-tier Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 will set you back a cool ₹3.39 Crore (ex-showroom), and the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is not on sale in India, the true gem, the one we’ve been waxing lyrical about, is the GLS 450 d 4MATIC AMG Line. Its ex-showroom price is ₹1.43 Crore. It's the intelligent choice, delivering all the luxury, all the performance, and all the character you could possibly want, without needing to sell a kidney.
The 450d features a 3.0-litre I6 diesel, producing 362bhp, boosted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for an additional 20bhp & 200Nm, bringing the total to 382bhp. This propels the 2.5-tonne SUV from 0-100kmph in a brisk 6.1 seconds (same as the 450). The nine-speed gearbox is, as expected from Mercedes, silky smooth and almost always in the right gear. Everything combined with a 90-litre tank translates to nearly 1000km of usable range.
The optional "Rear Comfort Package", priced around ₹9.9 Lakh in India, adds elements like the MBUX tablet and wireless headsets, turning the rear cabin into a true mobile lounge – perfect for keeping the little ones (or demanding adults) entertained.
Imposing yet agile, supremely practical with seven seats, remarkably quiet, and surprisingly economical for its size, the GLS 450d is a modernised and improved version that perfectly embodies the Mercedes maxim of luxury intertwined with performance. While the "Business and First Class" GLSs might tempt, the 450d offers the best of both worlds, and then some.
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The Engine: A Nostalgia Trip, One Torque Blast at a Time
Beneath all that confident swagger is where the real magic happens. This straight-six diesel, dishing out a towering 750Nm of torque, punches with an enthusiasm that’ll genuinely make you misty-eyed. Remember a time when a diesel’s thrust was its calling card, when you measured respect not in horsepower, but in the sheer, unadulterated grunt of torque? The GLS revives that memory with a punchy, buttery surge that, while it won't out-drag an EV in a drag race, feels infinitely more satisfying in real-world driving.
Straight-six diesels have always been the automotive equivalent of a well-balanced diet: inherently smooth, thanks to their symmetrical cylinder alignment, which cuts down on vibrations and noise. This translates to not just a longer life for the engine, but also power delivery so linear it could draw a straight line. And that inherent torque? It’s what makes them so brilliant at shrugging off heavy loads and executing effortless overtakes. It’s this sublime blend of refinement, performance, and mechanical harmony that sets them apart.
And here’s the kicker: the GLS 450d doesn’t announce itself with the typical diesel rattle and clatter. Instead, there’s a smooth, almost petrol-like burble, more akin to a performance-tuned V6. Close your eyes (figuratively, unless you’re luxuriating in the back seats) and you’d swear you were in something far sportier. It’s a soundtrack that perfectly justifies the AMG badge, and it’s a poignant reminder of what we’re about to lose as the diesel engine slowly, gracefully, fades from view.
The Ride: A Magic Carpet on Mumbai's Moonscape
The driving experience is nothing short of brilliant, thanks to the impeccably calibrated AIRMATIC suspension with adaptive damping. It's a sorcerer of comfort and dynamic composure, effortlessly gliding over Mumbai's notorious potholes and then effortlessly transitioning to glass-smooth highways. It’s almost suspiciously good. The only real eyebrow-raiser? No Sport mode! So, while that engine sound might be egging you on to unleash your inner racing driver, the GLS still handles like a particularly elegant whale in a hurry. You’re not going to be carving corners, but you will be arriving utterly unruffled.
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The Cocoon: Luxury, Amplified (and Slightly Missing Massages)
Inside, Mercedes has clearly taken a page (or several) from its own Maybach playbook. We’re talking extended cushioning, acoustic-laminated windows (perfect for blocking out the cacophony of the city), and even electric sunblinds – ideal for a quick nap or for dodging the ever-present paparazzi. The rear seats are practically begging you to let someone else take the wheel, complete with 11.6-inch entertainment screens, a removable MBUX tablet, and even a chauffeur package for sprawling out in stretched-out comfort. The irony, though? No massage functions! A minor quibble in an otherwise opulent package, but still, a quibble. Oh, and the wireless charger has this bizarre placement – it's tucked away so deep that you practically have to contort your fingers every time you try to retrieve your phone, leading to some unexpected finger yoga.
For the audiophiles among us, the Burmester surround system, complete with Dolby Atmos, transforms your commute into a private concert hall. Mercedes knows its clientele; why simply drive when you can arrive bathed in sound and splendour? And for those who prefer their musical indulgences a bit more private.
Tech-wise, the GLS AMG Line is no slouch. ADAS Level 2 with the Driving Assistance Package ensures you’re wrapped in a comprehensive safety net. The 360-degree parking camera is your personal spotter, and the "Transparent Bonnet" feature is pure genius.
Despite all the sporty embellishments, this GLS remains firmly rooted in its luxurious heritage. We're talking climatised seats that cool your back in sweltering traffic, five-zone climate control (because family feuds over AC settings are so last season), and seats so cosseting that Mumbai’s notorious potholes become mere suggestions.
The Stare-Down: A Hulking Silhouette with a Mean Streak
You approach the GLS 450d AMG Line, and it doesn’t whisper "understated luxury." Oh no, the front end is pure AMG bravado: aggressive air intakes, a high-gloss black grille that looks like it could swallow lesser cars whole – it’s all there. The Night Package with its black accents plays a dramatic counterpoint to the car’s sheer bulk, turning this refined giant into something altogether more assertive, like a well-dressed enforcer at a rather exclusive club.
The rear, clearly not one to be outdone, gets its own dose of drama with a diffuser-look insert and chrome bits that somehow manage to be both sporty and vaguely intimidating. And those gorgeous 21-inch AMG alloys, gleaming in high-gloss black? They’re pure automotive haute couture. You just know they'll induce a fresh wave of "kerb anxiety" on Mumbai's delightfully narrow lanes, but then again, who buys a GLS to worry about kerbs?
Price: 1.43 Crore (ex-showroom)
Engine: I6 3.0L mild-hybrid Diesel
Power: 382bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Top Speed : 250kmph
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