Mercedes has added a petrol-powered variant to its full-size Mercedes GLS SUV range – the GLS 400 joins the GLS 350d. The GLS range was recently given a mid-cycle refresh along with the new name GLS which was earlier called GL-class.

Like the GLE 400, the GLS 400 will be a fully-imported unit for now with local assembly to begin later. Also, at Rs 82.90 lakh, the GLS 400 petrol is only Rs 1 lakh more expensive than the locally assembled GLS 350d, priced at Rs 81.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The GLS 400 comes with 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine good for 333hp and 480Nm of torque. This is the same engine that also powers the Mercedes S 400 sedan, the E 400 cabriolet and the recently-launched GLE 400.  With the launch of the GLS 400, Mercedes now has a petrol variant available for all its models sold in India. The GLS 400 is one of the eight models launched by Mercedes in India this year.

The company was hit hard with the ban on diesels, and although the embargo has been lifted, the uncertainty around the fuel has prompted it to launch petrol variants of all its models.

Currently, the GLS 400 does not have a direct rival in India, however, unconfirmed reports suggest that Audi is readying a petrol-powered Q7 for India soon.