The new GL-Class: Mercedes supersizes the Euro-SUV
Newswheel staff :: 09 December 2005 :: Filed under Four-door coupe, SUV, Mercedes Benz, Mercedes Benz GL-Class, Europe & UK, US,
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Be afraid. Be very afraid
This is it, ladies and germs. The daddy of SUVs, Euro-style. In fact, even by the grotesque standards of US-market SUVs, the new Mercedes-Benz GL, officially launched today, is a big, bad beast. At over five metres long, nearly two metres wide and not far short of two metres tall the GL simply says “screw you” to modesty, the environment, good taste and everything in its path. Long live conspicuous consumption.
The Mercedes-Benz GL: destroyer of worlds or family transport?
Heading up the list of benefits of the GL’s humongo-gargantuan proportions is massive passenger and storage space. Notably, that includes full-sized seats in the third row – with a showbiz twist. That third row of seats can be stowed away electronically at the mere flexing of a finger whenever you favour storage capacity over passenger berths. As for that storage capacity, in five seat configuration you’re looking at 1,240 litres, rising to a maximum of 2,300 with the middle row of seats also taken out of commission.
Another Kwalitee(TM) interior from M-B
Other passenger comforts include THERMATIC climate control, ensuring consistent temperatures throughout the cabin, and a fixed glass roof above the third row of seats. M-B is also pushing safety hard with the new GL. The cabin heaves with airbags, with explosive pillows lining the car literally front to rear along the side windows.
Bongo drums and a smoke signalling kit facilitate communication with rear-row passengers. Possibly
Meanwhile, three-point pre-tensioned belts are fitted to all seats and full-spec version of MB-B’s PRE-SAFE makes an appearance (that’s ABS brakes, ESP stability control and, yes, the controversial BAS brake assist system). What’s more, big claims are being made regarding pedestrian safety courtesy of crumple zones shielding all the major hard points. That’s sounds friendly enough, but somehow we have doubts about how soft and fluffy the experience of being mown down by a GL would be…
As yet, M-B hasn’t divulged the GL’s kerb weight. Can’t imagine why…
As for engines, buyers take their pick from the usual M-B diesel and petrol suspects, kicking off with the 320 CDI diesel six (224bhp), moving on up to the 420CDI diesel eight (306bhp), and rounding out with the 450 and 500 petrol V8s, which are actually 4.6-litre 340bhp and 5.5-litre 388bhp lumps, respectively.
Off-road capability includes standard AIRMATIC height-adjustable suspension with adaptive dampers, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the DSR electronically controlled hill-descent system and, well, just lots of systems with baffling names made up of capital letters. Optionally, Mercedes offers the Off-Road Pro package which adds a two-speed transfer case with a mud-plugging low ratio, fully locking diffs and increased maximum ground clearance for the AIRMATIC rig of 307mm.
Yet another new model to join M-B’s brain-bending fleet of premium product
And that, dear readers, must be enough high-end German automotive tech for anyone. Indeed, you have to hand it to Merc: following the recent CLS, R-Class and S-Class launches, the company just keeps the high-end launches coming. While we believe M-B remains a long way short of the best in terms of quality, its incredible, ever-expanding product range certainly makes Audi and BMW look rather flat-footed.
The GL will be available from Spring in the US and September 2006 in Europe.
P.S. Two notables are missing from the current M-B supplied PR bumpf. Firstly, no kerb weight has been quoted. Despite the use of a car-like unibody chassis, we suspect the GL could well breach the 2.5-tonne barrier. Finally, no specifics regarding pricing are as yet available.
Posted 02 June 2006, by TIffany
hi, I was at the Mercedes dealership today... my mom is seriously thinking about buying the mercedes GL.. loved your comments. So about the pricing it said it was unknown but the base price (without any options) is 75 000.. but depending on what options u add..then including tax its 90 000 :D love it..haha funny thing when I first saw it I thought..omg HOT DOG!!! cause its so long!! but i think it's kinda pretty..in a macho car way haha ya its true i wouldn't wanna be run down by a GL..let alone my mom driving the GL haha and ..ya it pretty much does say "screw you" to the environment!