The media is out, the public is in! The Los Angeles Auto Show debuts today for the curious eyes of the spectators and Mercedes-Benz is showing off the company’s latest models. The 2016 Mercedes SL facelift and the 2016 Mercedes GLS are taking center stage in California.
Four. That is the number of the new Mercedes-Benz models that have crossed the Atlantic to magnetize the audience at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in the city where people think they have already seen everything. Have they, really?
Upgraded from head to toe, the GLS’ interior now boasts a new infotainment system, comprising of a new 8-inch color display and an intuitive touchpad, together with a redesigned instrument panel. The latest version of COMAND Online includes Internet connectivity and standard services (automatic eCall emergency call, Accident Recovery, breakdown assistance and after-sales service).
DYNAMIC SELECT now comes with up to six transmission modes: Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Individual and Off-Road, with the optional Off-Road Engineering Package getting one more, the Off-Road+ mode. This brings extended functions for the AIRMATIC suspension, with a ground clearance of up to 306 millimeters and a fording death of 600 millimeters.
Four engine options are available for the 2017 GLS. The base GLS 350 d 4Matic is powered by a 3.0-liter diesel V-6 good for 258 HP and 455 lb-ft of torque (620 Nm). The base gasoline 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine in the GLS 400 4Matic would guarantee 333 HP and 369 lb-ft (480 Nm). As for the GLS 500 4Matic, its twin-turbo, 4.7-liter V8 is rated with an outstanding power of 455 HP and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm). That is as much as 20 HP more than before and the same as the new S-Class in S 500 guise.
The current SL, code-named R231, was launched in 2012 and now Mercedes has operated a facelift in the middle of its lifecycle. The Mercedes facelifted convertible comes with a new diamond front grille split in two by a single blade, very similar to that of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The SL is keeping the typical features of the cabriolet SL family, like the wide track and the large air intakes at the front.
The car not only looks more dynamic, but its engines are also more powerful than before. The SL 400 facelift gets the stronger three-liter V6 biturbo unit. The power is now 367 hp and maximum torque is 500 Nm, marking an increase of 35 HP and 20 Nm respectively. The SL 500 retains the 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 with 455 HP and 700 Nm. Both versions are coupled to the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Then there are the two AMG versions SL 63 and 65. Mercedes has opted for the same 5.5-liter V8 biturbo as before with 537 hp and 800 Nm or 585 hp and 900 Nm for the SL 63 and SL 63 S. The SL 65 AMG is still powered by the glorious six-liter V12 biturbo which hammers the competition with its already known credentials: 630 HP and 1000 Nm.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe & Mercedes-AMG C-Class Coupe
Debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the two-door C-Class gets unique detailing such as the long frameless doors, high belt-line, fixed B-pillars and heavily plunging roofline. Last, but not the least, the Cd value of 0.26 is the best in its class.
The Mercedes C-Class Coupe comes with steel suspension as standard. Two suspension variants with selective damping system are available, lowering the vehicle by 15 mm compared to the saloon version.
A range of six engines is available, all of them with four cylinders, turbo and direct injection: four petrol and two diesels. The petrol range starts with the C 180 (1.6 liter/156 CP) followed by three 2-liter engines: C 200 (2 liter/184 HP), C 250 (2 liter, 211 HP) and C 300 (2 litres, 245 HP). The diesel range comprise the enhanced 2.2 liter 4-cylinder with 170 HP (C 220 d) and 204 HP (C 250 d) which features ecofirendly SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction).
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet
The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is the first Mercedes four seater luxury cabrio after 44 years.
The new Stuttgart-made convertible comes with two engines carried over from the S-Class Coupe: the 4.7 litre bi-turbo V8 churning out 455 HP and 700 Nm in the S 500 Cabriolet and the 5.5 litre V8 bi-turbo V8 developing an whooping output of 585 HP and 900 Nm in the S 63 4Matic variant.
Mercedes claims that the S-Class Cabriolet is the world’s most comfortable and quietest convertible. The 3-layered insulated softtop can be opened and closed by the simple touch of a switch placed in the central console. The operation only takes around 20 seconds and it is possible even while on the move, up to a speed of 60 km/h.
Check out the highlights of the Los Angeles Auto Show in the following video:
