The “S-Class of SUVs” is a marriage of high-end luxury and technological innovation. Image: Thomas Wielecki.

It may be a normal day ‘at the office’ for Matt Taylor, professional stunt-car driver and an advanced driving instructor at the Mercedes-Benz Accelerate driving events, but manoeuvring a GLS 400d along the edge of a hilltop at what feels like a death-defying angle might just be one step too far out of this driver’s comfort zone.

“Go on,” laughs Taylor, “do it!” In response to my cautious pressure on the accelerator, the GLS purrs forward, gradually tilting so far onto its axis that it seems inevitable we’ll end up upside-down. But no, the vehicle forges ahead, as easily as if we’re cruising along a suburban street. Not shaken, but definitely stirred, we return to a horizontal position. If a car could roll its eyes and shrug – and with the technology in this impressive SUV, I wouldn’t be surprised – it’s what this GLS would be doing right now, as it nonchalantly navigates its way back down the hair-raisingly steep, rutted track to the race circuit at Sydney Motorsport Park.

By Sally Feldman