Mercedes-Benz has officially taken the wraps off its all-new 2013 GL-Class at the New York International Auto Show. The German brand’s new seven seater model is being described by Mercedes as the S-Class of SUVs.
“The new GL-Class occupies the top position amongst luxury SUVs,” says Joachim Schmidt, vice president of the Mercedes brand. “With its comprehensive assistance systems it has a pioneering role where safety and comfort are concerned, and is on a par with an S-Class – even off the beaten track.”
At 201.6 inches (5,120mm) long, 84.3 inches (2,141mm) wide and 72.8 inches (1,849mm) tall, the latest generation of the GL is slightly longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces, but it rides on the same wheelbase (121 inches or 3,073mm). Despite the increase in exterior dimensions, Mercedes says the GL is lighter than its predecessor.
The exterior styling is an evolution of the previous model and combines a similar front end design to the new ML with a boxy rear-end. Notably, a small kink makes its appearance on the side window while the new GL also sports much larger and more pronounced tail lamps.
The dashboard is almost identical to the ML, while the GL continues to feature seating for seven passengers arranged in three rows of seats.
When it reaches dealerships in September, buyers will have a choice of three models, all of which sport more powerful engines than before.
These include the GL350 BlueTEC equipped with a 3.0-liter turbo diesel generating 240hp (+30hp) and 455lb-ft for a 0-60mph sprint time of 8.3 seconds, the GL450 powered by a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 with 362hp (+27hp) and 406 lb-ft (0-60mph in 6.2 seconds) and the GL550 with a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 429hp (+47hp) and 516 lb-ft (0-60mph in 5.5 seconds).
All three engines are equipped with several fuel efficiency measures like direct-injection and paired with Mercedes’ new seven-speed automatic transmission.
Among other technological highlights, the GL features a self-leveling air suspension and electromechanical steering, and an array of safety systems such as Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist, as well as PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist and the Surround View camera.
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