The biggest lugger in Benz’s sports utility suite has been refreshed, with a 48 volt hybrid system among gains.

WILD from mild: That’s an element of updates for Mercedes’ largest sports utility, the GLS, announced overnight. 

A refresh for the seven-seater brings in a bundle of new features, but the key element is its electrification. 

There’s no plug with this play but every edition now adopts hybrid technology, particularly at the top, with the requisite Mercedes-AMG 63 edition being the first for this type to adjust to live with electric zap.

 Unsurprisingly, while the 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8’s marriage to a 48-volt electrical system does deliver Green good, with recuperation of the battery, along with engine off coasting and start/stop restarting, it’s also adding to gumption.

The new model signals as the most powerful and quickest of the update family, with 456kW. The electric enhancement specifically lends a 16kW helping hand but, more importantly, also bungs in another 250Nm.

Styling revisions for Germany’s largest off-road tuned hauler – a descriptive that requires acceptance it’s not actually built there (as before, GLS production central is the country where it sells strongest, the United States) – include a new radiator grille which now gets four louvres galvanised in a silver shadow colour. The bumper gets a new shape, and there's a high-gloss black finish for the air intakes.

The purely decorative under-bumper bash plate has also been redesigned, and at the back, there are new brake lights with three horizontal block shapes inside the lenses. As always, Mercedes offers a choice of wheel stylings. That’s enlarged to include a 20-inch multi-spoke light-alloy type in Himalayas grey. 

Look inside and you’ll see the digital MBUX dashboard also gets an update, with new display options, so in fresh colours. Look around the cabin and there are addition USB-C ports.

Mercedes is among luxury brands looking at new environmentally responsible trims, but GLS seems to be steadfastly old school. Leather is still a choice, and now in new finishes - Catalana beige and Bahia brown. Trims are also above anything but a private and exclusive school run.

A piano lacquer trim finish previously only available in the ultra-expensive Maybach model that’s presumably too good for the likes of New Zealand lands on the options list. Air vent flaps are finished in the same Silver Shadow colour as the grille, is another touch lifted from the Maybach.

What chance any GLS owner venturing into the bush? None of course, but  nonetheless Mercedes has upgraded the optional Off-Road Engineering package. This delivers functional underbody protection and an extra 30mm of ground clearance.

Select Off-Road mode and the screen displays an inclinometer showing what angle the car is tilting laterally and longitudinally, as well as a 'transparent bonnet' effect from the all-around camera system. Just like a Range Rover.

Aptitude for towing is a key reason for Kiwi buy-in. This land yacht is looking hardy with a maximum braked load of 3500kg and a 'tongue weight' on the towbar of up to 140kg. The towbar can also accommodate a bike rack weighing up to 100kg. There's also a trailer assistance function in the parking camera menu and a trailer function for navigation, helping you steer clear of low bridges and narrow gaps.

The big gun AMG has dressed apart with unique brake lights and, in the centre of the grille, the AMG Affalterbach badge instead of the Mercedes star. Standard rim size is 21 inches, but you can have 22-inch or 23-inch options.

The brawnmeister achieves AMG-specific layouts for digital instruments and trims with Nappa leather, finished in Bahia brown/black or Macchiato beige/black.

Standard AMG equipment includes an electric panoramic sliding sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, adaptive high beam assist, an AMG Performance exhaust system, the Burmester sound system, 360-degree parking pilot, keyless-go and blind spot assist.

The GLS also comes with two other petrols – a 3.0-litre 450 straight-six and a 4.0-litre 580 V8 – and 3.0-litre straight-six 350d and 450d diesels. All also come with 48-volt mild-hybrid, which add either 15-16kW and between 200Nm and 250Nm depending on the model.

 CO2 emission counts are all in the Clean Car naughty zone. The diesels are cleanest with 210 grams per kilometre, but the AMG 63 GLS is not as bad it you think, with records 289g/km on the WLTP cycle. The Maybach’s V8 is the true Mr Dirty, with 314g/km.

Mercedes Benz New Zealand has yet to offer comment on when the updated editions will begin to show.