Mercedes-Benz will launch petrol powered versions of the GLS and GLE SUV as well as the CLS sedan. They are the only vehicle in the German automaker’s current line-up to not have petrol versions.
The petrol versions for all three cars will be the GLE400 4MATIC, GLS400 4MATIC and the CLS400. Of these the SUVS have already been imported for homologation. Both cars will be offered with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that 328bhp and 480Nm of torque. The CLS on the other hand will get a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine that produces the same 328bhp and 480Nm of torque. All three cars get the German automaker’s 4MATIC AWD system and a nine-speed AT as standard. In terms of features, appearance and design they are exactly the same as their diesel counterparts save for the badging at the rear and the side.
The move comes on the back of uncertainty over the issue of diesel vehicles in the country. Mercedes-Benz was one of the worst hit when the ban in the NCR came into effect last year as it had been selling mostly diesel models across its range.
However, this move to start offering petrol versions across the range is not something new for the German automaker as it had been doing exactly this for a significant period before the great diesel revolution of 2012-2013.
