What is Off-Road+ in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS DYNAMIC SELECT Driving Modes

If you have been following Mercedes-Benz over the last couple years, you probably know that DYNAMIC SELECT is a relatively new technology that allows drivers to adjust the way Mercedes-Benz vehicles handle in different driving situations. But did you also know that the driving modes available can differ with model and trim? It’s true! The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes feature the Off-Road+ option that is reserved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles that are built to leave the road in comfort.

Standard DYNAMIC SELECT Driving Modes

Every Mercedes-Benz equipped with DYNAMIC SELECT comes with Comfort, Slippery, Sport, and individual. For cars like the SL-Class Roadster and the S-Class Sedan, an extra Sport+ option is added to let drivers use them at full potential on the road. For SUVs like the 2017 GLS, which is to be released in March, an Off-Road and Off-Road+ can be included for a price. This price though, in our opinion, is more than worth the value. Many GLS drivers may never leave the asphalt, but for those who do, having these driving modes could almost be considered a necessity.

How Does DYNAMIC SELECT Change Car Behavior?

For some of the driving modes, the outcome is fairly obvious. In comfort mode, the GLS shifts sooner and more fluidly than it would in sport or off-road modes. Comfort mode also prompts the GLS to start in second gear and loosen suspension to minimize sporadic movements. In the Off-Road and Off-Road+ modes, the GLS shifts at higher RPMs, balances the all-wheel drive differential, and raises the car up a few inches to avoid rocks and lost pedestrians.

Mercedes-Benz DYNAMIC SELECT is changing the way we use our cars and the way we shop for them. This technology makes cars extremely more versatile and much more fun to drive. If you have any questions regarding the magic of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes, let us know in the comments!