Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States Toluca, Mexico
Class	Full-size luxury crossover SUV[1]
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive
Engine	3.0 L V6 (diesel) 4.0 L V8 (diesel) 4.7 L V8 5.5 L V8
Transmission	7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
Wheelbase	3,075 mm (121.1 in)
Length	2007-09: 5,085 mm (200.2 in) 2010-present: 200.6 in (5,095 mm)
Width	2007-09: 1,920 mm (75.6 in) 2010-present: 76.4 in (1,941 mm)
Height	1,840 mm (72.4 in)

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (code name X164) is a full-size crossover SUV built by the German carmaker Mercedes-Benz since 2006. The GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The car was designed for the American market, which is shown by its large size, making it the only similarly sized rival up against Audi's Q7 by that time. It is the 7-passenger counterpart of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Although the car was designed for the US market, it is also sold in Europe, albeit in far smaller numbers.

It lacks the typical SUV boxy styling and body-on-frame construction of the G-Class in favor of a modified version of the M-Class's unibody architecture. Many motorists consider it the "Elongated and Wider" version of the recently redesigned M-Class. It is a three-row, 7-passenger SUV with much more luxurious equipment than previous civilian G-Class vehicles. All GL-Class vehicles are assembled at Mercedes-Benz US International, Inc., Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, and Mercedes-Benz Mexico, Toluca, Mexico. The GL class was originally intended to replace the 25-year-old G-Class model, however due to public and fan outcries, Mercedes Benz had decided to keep the G-Class in production for the foreseeable future and decided to update it for 2006.^{[citation needed]}

Engines

• GL 350 CDI BlueTec: 3.0 L V6 (diesel), 160 kW (215 hp)
• GL 420 CDI: 4.0 L V8 (diesel), 225 kW (302 hp) This motor has been revised three times over the subsequential years. It was offered in GL420 and GL450 before it was withdrawn from the model range for 2011.
• GL 450: 4.7 L V8, 250 kW (335 hp)
• GL 550 (GL 500 in Europe): 5.5 L V8, 285 kW (382 hp)

Features

Standard features

Standard features on the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec and GL450 include air conditioning with dual-zone climate controls, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic premium leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, heated 8-way power front seats, 6-disc CD changer, outside-temperature indicator, and universal garage door opener. On the facelifted 2010 model, the GLs also incorporate new daytime running lights as well as LED tail lamps for improved visibility. 19" 5-spoke wheels come standard with all-season tires and new chrome beltline, window trim, and roof rails also now come standard. A chrome loadsill and front and rear chrome looking skid plates come standard. The GL also comes with Airmatic suspension, a 3D instrument cluster, and 7-way seating with power 50/50 folding third row seats.

The GL350 BlueTec features a 3.0L 210 hp (157 kW) 400 lb·ft (542 N·m) turbocharged V-6, with a reduction in NOx emissions of 80%. The starting MSRP is $1,000 less than the GL450. The GL450 4Matic has a 335 hp (250 kW) V-8. The GL550 has a 382 hp (285 kW) 5.5L V8.

Optional features

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL 450 CDI (Germany)

Standard on the Mercedes GL550 but optional for the lower trims include a power tilt/telescopic wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls (replacing tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls), leather upholstery, memory system, power liftgate, premium sound system, navigation system w/voice recognition, rear radio controls, rearview camera, and heated rear seats.

Awards

• 2007 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year - GL 450

Sales

Calendar year	US sales
2005	n/a[2]
2006	18,776
2007	26,396[3]
2008	23,328
2009	15,012[4]
2010	19,943

References

1. ^ "Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUVs 2009 - New Car Trims - NADAguides.com Official Site". Nadaguides.com. http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?l=1&w=20&p=37&f=5634&m=1115&y=2009&d=18712&vt=new. Retrieved 2010-03-21. 
2. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales". Theautochannel.com. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/01/03/032870.html. Retrieved 2010-03-21. 
3. ^ "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent In December 2008 | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". eMercedesBenz. 2009-01-05. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan09/05_001548_Mercedes_Benz_USA_Sales_Drop_32_Percent_In_December_2008.html. Retrieved 2010-03-21. 
4. ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highest-sales-month-for-the-year-at-21469-brings-mercedes-benz-to-an-18-percent-increase-for-2010-112881769.html

External links

• Mercedes GL Class Overview
• GL-Class at Mercedes-Benz Canada
• First spied: Next Generation Mercedes GL-Class