Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Unveiled

[/////AMG]

Sorry for showing you guys this!
IMO, worst model Mercedes-Benz has come out with, there is no need for this really.



Lots more info here:
[http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...id/2051208.005

[statick]

in terms of an SUV, nothing gets better than an actual G

[Godfuader]

Umm...sure its not a highlander with a kit? or is mercedes now running out of designers?

[lastprodigy]

Why the hell is Benzo making all these useless new models and demeaning their brand. Before you know it the whole alphabet will be taken care of.

[HoisinSauce]

atleast that looks better than the porsche SUV
that thing is hideous

[treg50]

HEY, cool it's the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new grill...

Originally posted by HoisinSauce
atleast that looks better than the porsche SUV
that thing is hideous

At least the Porsche original, this is just a Chrysler with leather.

[turboMiata]

ridiculous thing. ruining the lineage of the G class.

[toyboy88]

yea definately thoughless move??? already have the m class

[Hakkola]

This isn't replacing the G-Class, and there's so many conflicting stories it's crazy, I doubt it will be called the GL-Class and I doubt it will look like that.

I've seen threads about the MLK, GL, New G etc etc etc... Only one I think might happen is the MLK.

[kenny]

Originally posted by lastprodigy
Why the hell is Benzo making all these useless new models and demeaning their brand. Before you know it the whole alphabet will be taken care of.

Hmm... how about revenue?

As much as you want to hate SUVs, they command a premium price and the general public is willing to pay it.

[dkny_stylez]

i hate their suv's

[Mr. Burns]

Originally posted by Godfuader
Umm...sure its not a highlander with a kit? or is mercedes now running out of designers?

Exactly what I thought when I first saw the pic.

[three.eighteen.]

Originally posted by Hakkola
This isn't replacing the G-Class, and there's so many conflicting stories it's crazy, I doubt it will be called the GL-Class and I doubt it will look like that.

I've seen threads about the MLK, GL, New G etc etc etc... Only one I think might happen is the MLK.

ml'k' would mean its a 2 door no?

slk & clk are both 2 doors, gl would make sense especially if its bigger than the ml

[Hakkola]

Originally posted by three.eighteen.


ml'k' would mean its a 2 door no?

slk & clk are both 2 doors, gl would make sense especially if its bigger than the ml

You'd think so, but the mlk was toted as an X3 competitor, still 4 doors, just smaller.

The reason I don't think there will be a GL, is because Benz doesn't need an SUV bigger than the ML, they already have a great one in the G Class and it has already been confirmed that they aren't ending the life of the G Class yet.

[habsfan]

i wouldnt be too surprised if they made it, sure they have the g-class which is a cool SUV, but try telling that to the 50 year old doctor that wants a big, luxurious, classy SUV to drive around in.

[crazydriver]

Wow... another SUV!..... how orginal

[Goblin]

Originally posted by Godfuader
Umm...sure its not a highlander with a kit? or is mercedes now running out of designers?

EXACTLY what i was thinking.

[infected]

Looks pretty hot to me

[benyl]

The new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: first class on and off the road

Mercedes-Benz is to unveil a new highlight in the luxury Sport Utility Vehicle market segment: the GL-Class. The seven-seater premium off-roader offers excellent handling both on and off-road and pampers occupants with its extremely spacious accommodation and the comfort of a luxury saloon. The GL-Class sets another milestone with PRE-SAFE®, the comprehensive safety concept, a first in this market segment.

With its poised, assured presence, the GL-Class leaves you in no doubt about its aspirations to conquer this competitive market segment. The distinctive design idiom exudes power and exclusivity. Calm body surfaces, powerful, wedge-shaped features and striking details give the impression the luxury off-roader is surging forward even when stationary. The spacious body (length 5088 mm, width 1920 mm, height 1840 mm) is beautifully proportioned.

Superlative comfort whatever the conditions
The welcoming interior with its top-quality materials provides passengers with that feel-good atmosphere as only Mercedes knows how, with more than ample space for up to seven passengers. The distance to the middle row of seats is 815 mm, with 979 mm headroom for passengers. If you need fewer seats, the rear individual seats can be stowed electrically at the push of a button, either individually or in tandem to provide a completely flat load surface. In the five-seater version, luggage compartment capacity is 1240 litres. The GL-Class can provide up to 2300 litres of load capacity, with the load compartment measuring 2128 mm in length. In line with the wide range of applications handled by the versatile all-rounder, the THERMATIC automatic climate control system fitted as standard in the GL 320 CDI provides consistent temperature for all seven seats both in the depths of winter and on those sweltering summer days. The versions with V8 engines such as the GL 420 CDI, GL 450 and GL 500 come with the standard-fit multi-zone THERMOTRONIC system, which offers even more climatic comfort.

Intelligent solutions promote excellent safety
The GL-Class makes full use of the advantages of its unitised body, combining optimum strength with intelligent lightweight steel design. The result is excellent passive safety that is far superior to comparable models with a ladder-type frame. Combined with the front and rear deformation zones, the high-strength occupant cell forms an efficient base for the occupant protection systems that include:

Adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger
Sidebags in the front, and in the middle row of seats as an option
Windowbags across all three rows of seats from the A to the D-pillar
NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger as an option
3-point seat belts on all seven seats
Seat-belt tensioners and adaptive belt-force limiters for the driver and front passenger, seat-belt tensioners and single-stage belt-force limiters on the outer seats in the middle row

With the optionally available PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system, a world first in this market segment, Mercedes-Benz has raised safety to an even higher level. The system's most striking feature: passive and active safety systems are networked with each other. PRE-SAFE® utilises the sensors in the dynamic handling control systems such as ABS, BAS (Brake Assist) and ESP® and optimises the protective function of the passive safety components in potential accident situations. The GL-Class also takes the often neglected issue of pedestrian protection to a new level. The front section includes precisely defined ample crumple space between the body and the major assemblies underneath. In conjunction with impact zones that are designed to yield, this design provides a high degree of protection both for pedestrians and cyclists.
It is not for nothing that the model designation echoes the legendary precursor of all Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicles – the G-Class. The evergreen off-roader is now entering its 26th year of production and will continue to be marketed alongside the new GL-Class.

Outstanding handling on and off-road
4MATIC – the permanent four-wheel drive from Mercedes-Benz – provides the GL-Class with superior handling whatever the conditions. Together with the standard-fit AIRMATIC air suspension, the precise speed-sensitive power steering and the ADS Adaptive Damper System also fitted as standard, the imposing GL-Class (wheelbase 3075 mm) handles impressively. Handling when pulling a trailer is no less impressive thanks to the ESP® component TSA (Trailer Stability Assist). TSA defuses critical driving situations involving a trailer before they become dangerous by precisely applying the brakes, while AIRMATIC provides fully automatic level adjustment.

Special off-road features such as Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), hill-start assist and off-road ABS assist the GL-Class driver off road. The Off-Road Pro engineering package, standard on all ECE models, means the GL-Class can also handle the most extreme off-road terrain. This includes a two-speed transfer case with a low range ratio and 100 percent differential locks for the transfer case and the rear axle. The modified AIRMATIC air suspension, designed specifically for the more demanding conditions, increases the ground clearance to a maximum of 307 millimetres where required, and raises the fording depth to 600 millimetres.

Majestic drive systems: new V6 and V8 engines
The ultra-modern engine line-up in all GL-Class models provides superlative drive comfort and compelling performance coupled with superior fuel consumption figures compared with other vehicles in the class. Alongside the 165-kW/224-hp V6 engine in the GL 320 CDI, the range of diesel models includes the new-generation high-performance V8 diesel in the GL 420 CDI, which now has an output of 225 kW/ 306 hp and maximum torque of 700 Nm. Both diesel-powered versions undercut the EU 4 limits and feature a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter. In addition to the newly developed 5.5-litre, 285-kW/388-hp engine in the GL 500, launched earlier in the new S-Class, the second unit in this ultra-modern V8 family of engines is celebrating its world premiere in the GL-Class. In the GL 450 the 4.6-litre engine develops 250 kW/340 hp. Both engines also fulfil the stringent EU 4 limits (USA: LEV II standard).

All GL-Class engine variants come with the standard-fit 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT.

Success story from state-of-the-art production facilities
“Mercedes Quality – Made in America” has established itself as the company’s new trademark on the other side of the Atlantic and illustrates the success story of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Tuscaloosa/Alabama. The birthplace of the GL-Class started production in 1997 as the first Mercedes-Benz plant outside Europe. Around 600 million US dollars have been invested since 2001 in expanding and constantly modernising the plant; overall the company has invested around 1 billion US dollars. Following the extension of the Tuscaloosa plant in May 2005, its theoretical annual production capacity for all model series stands at 160,000 units. The new GL-Class is now the third model series to be built here, alongside the M-Class and the R-Class.

The world premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will take place at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2006. U.S. customers will be the first to savour the delights of the new trendsetter in the spring; European customers will have to wait until September 2006 for a taste of the versatile off-roader

[benyl]

NEW Mercedes-Benz GL-Class @ 2006 NAIAS