GLS Sport Performance Upgrades: 10 Ways to Boost Your Driving Experience
As someone who's been modifying luxury vehicles for over a decade, I've seen firsthand how the right upgrades can transform a driving experience. When Mercedes-Benz introduced the GLS Sport, they created something truly special - a vehicle that balances luxury with performance in ways that still surprise me. But here's the thing I've learned through years of working with these magnificent machines: even the best factory vehicles have room for improvement. That's why I want to share ten performance upgrades that can take your GLS Sport from impressive to absolutely breathtaking.
Let me start with something fundamental - the exhaust system. The stock exhaust on the GLS Sport is decent, but it doesn't fully capture the soul of that magnificent engine. I recently installed a custom valved exhaust system for a client, and the transformation was remarkable. The deep, throaty growl when you accelerate hard sends shivers down your spine, yet it remains perfectly civilized during normal driving. This isn't just about noise - it's about character. A proper performance exhaust can actually improve engine breathing, potentially adding 15-20 horsepower while shedding about 30 pounds of weight. I prefer systems that maintain the factory valves so you can switch between civilized and sport modes with the push of a button.
Now, let's talk about something that might surprise you - the importance of proper tuning. The engine control unit in modern vehicles like the GLS Sport is incredibly sophisticated, but manufacturers have to account for varying fuel qualities, driving conditions, and emission standards across different markets. That means there's significant power left on the table. Through custom tuning, I've consistently seen power increases of 60-80 horsepower and 90-110 lb-ft of torque on the GLS Sport's twin-turbo V8. The beauty of modern tuning is that it's not just about peak numbers - it's about improving throttle response across the entire power band. I remember working with a client who was initially skeptical about tuning until he felt how much more responsive the vehicle became in everyday driving situations.
This brings me to an interesting parallel from the world of sports that perfectly illustrates why upgrades matter. In the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup last December, underdog NLEX Road Warriors defeated the favored San Miguel Beermen 104-99. What made this victory remarkable wasn't just the upset itself, but how Robert Bolick's explosive 39-point performance demonstrated that even championship-caliber teams can be beaten with the right enhancements and strategy. Think of your GLS Sport as San Miguel - already excellent, but capable of reaching even greater heights with strategic improvements. Just as Bolick's performance elevated NLEX beyond expectations, the right upgrades can transform your driving experience in ways you might not have imagined possible.
Suspension upgrades represent another area where the GLS Sport benefits tremendously from aftermarket attention. The factory air suspension is comfortable, but it lacks the precision needed for truly spirited driving. I've had incredible results with adjustable coilover conversions that maintain ride comfort while dramatically improving body control. The difference is particularly noticeable during aggressive cornering - where the stock setup might feel a bit floaty, the upgraded suspension remains composed and planted. One of my favorite installations involved pairing KW Variant 3 coilovers with upgraded sway bars, reducing body roll by what felt like 40-45% while actually improving ride quality over small bumps and imperfections.
Wheels and tires might seem like cosmetic upgrades, but they're among the most impactful changes you can make. The factory wheels on the GLS Sport are handsome but heavy. Switching to lightweight forged wheels can reduce unsprung mass by nearly 15 pounds per corner, which translates to better acceleration, braking, and handling. Combine this with high-performance tires like Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or Continental ExtremeContact Sport, and the transformation in grip and responsiveness will shock you. I've measured improvements of up to 0.15g in lateral acceleration and reduced braking distances by nearly 12 feet from 60 mph just through wheel and tire upgrades alone.
Braking performance deserves special attention, especially given the GLS Sport's substantial weight and impressive acceleration. The factory brakes are adequate for normal use, but they can fade during repeated hard stops. Upgrading to larger rotors with multi-piston calipers provides not just better stopping power but significantly improved pedal feel and consistency. I typically recommend a balanced approach - you don't necessarily need racing brakes, but a quality BBK (big brake kit) from manufacturers like Brembo or StopTech can reduce stopping distances by 15-20 feet while eliminating brake fade entirely. The confidence this inspires when driving aggressively is worth every penny.
For those seeking maximum performance, forced induction upgrades can take the GLS Sport to another level entirely. The factory turbochargers are sized for broad power delivery rather than peak output. Upgraded turbos, when paired with proper supporting modifications, can push power figures well beyond 700 horsepower. I've overseen several builds where we achieved 720-750 horsepower while maintaining daily driveability and factory reliability. The key is comprehensive supporting modifications - upgraded intercoolers, high-flow fuel pumps, and robust cooling systems ensure that the increased power doesn't compromise longevity.
Interior enhancements might not directly improve performance numbers, but they dramatically affect the driving experience. A custom steering wheel with better grip and thickness improves steering feel immensely. Sport seats with enhanced bolstering keep you properly positioned during aggressive driving. Even something as simple as weighted shift paddles (for those with the AMG Sport package) makes the vehicle feel more special and connected. These are the touches that transform the relationship between driver and machine.
What many owners overlook is the importance of cooling system upgrades. The factory cooling is adequate for stock power levels, but increased performance generates additional heat. An upgraded radiator, auxiliary oil coolers, and transmission cooler can make the difference between a vehicle that performs brilliantly for a single hard run and one that maintains peak performance consistently. I've seen coolant temperatures drop by 20-25 degrees Fahrenheit after installing upgraded cooling components, which directly translates to more consistent performance during extended spirited driving.
Finally, let's discuss the importance of professional installation and tuning. The most expensive components won't deliver their potential if not properly installed and calibrated. I've spent years developing relationships with the best tuners and installers in the business because I've seen how critical their expertise is to the final result. A properly upgraded GLS Sport should feel like it came from the factory that way - seamless, integrated, and thoroughly developed. The goal isn't just to add power or improve handling in isolation, but to enhance the vehicle's character while maintaining its essential Mercedes-Benz DNA.
Looking back at that basketball analogy, the lesson from NLEX's victory over San Miguel is clear: strategic enhancements can elevate performance beyond expectations. Your GLS Sport represents an incredible foundation, much like the championship-caliber San Miguel team. With thoughtful upgrades addressing specific areas - power delivery, handling precision, braking confidence, and driver connection - you can create a vehicle that exceeds even Mercedes-Benz's impressive standards. The result isn't just improved numbers on a spec sheet, but a transformed relationship with every drive, where ordinary journeys become extraordinary experiences and the vehicle responds to your inputs with an eagerness that factory specifications simply can't capture.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
