Mercedes-Benz has officially announced the GL-Class. The luxury SUV, sibling to the R-Class and M-Class and the largest of the three, will be powered by a V-8 engine rated at 335 horsepower. (Diesel variants are available for the European version only.) The transmission offered is a seven-speed automatic and the vehicle is all-wheel drive. With its commanding view of the road ahead, the GL450 lets you elevate the everyday drive, and experience an entirely new journey. History
The GL450 is the only full-sized luxury SUV with unit-body construction, which results in an exceptionally strong, lightweight, and rigid body structure. This, plus four-wheel load-leveling suspension with adjustable ride height and air springs, makes the trip out to the peaks as smooth and comfortable as the ride to preschool. The GL-Class is also the first full-sized luxury SUV to offer a 7-speed automatic transmission, helping to improve fuel economy and lower emissions. ake full advantage of the GL's 7,500-lb towing capacity and tow what you need to get the heavy work done. The factory-installed trailer hitch option (also available as a dealer-installed accessory) meets Class IV towing requirements, so you can count on your GL-Class to get it all there and back with confidence.
The 4.6-liter V-8 engine in the GL450 makes it all possible, generating 335 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque for ample muscle when hauling big loads. Engineered to take care of you on the inside as well, the new GL-Class offers nothing less than kid-glove treatment. Settle into the optional multicontour front seats with available premium leather and indulge yourself with rich sounds from the optional harman/kardon? LOGIC7? System — or your own MP3 device linked into the standard auxiliary plug in the glovebox — for the ultimate road soundtrack.
Customers wishing to buy the multi-talented GL, which can optionally seat up to seven people, are now able to place their orders at the company's sales and service outlets. The tried-and-trusted V6 diesel in the GL 320 CDI delivers 165 kW/224 hp, while its ample 510 Newton metres of torque are on tap across a wide range of engine speeds. The GL 500 features a newly developed 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine with a rated output of no less than 285 kW/388 hp and costs €85,898 (€74,050 net). In the GL 450 (costing €77,604, net price €66,900) the V8 powerplant from the same engine family has a displacement of 4.6 litres and generates 250 kW/340 hp. All the engines available for the GL-Class are teamed up with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT as standard.