The Mercedes-Benz presentation at the North American International Auto Show 2006 will provide drivers in the USA with the perfect answer to their motoring needs. The German premium brand will be presenting its first full-size SUV, the new GL-Class. One particular feature of the powerful and comfortable seven-seater is the unitised body that is unique in the GL-Class segment. The extremely robust and spacious lightweight construction provides the new GL-Class with advantages in terms of drive comfort, dynamism and safety compared with its rivals.
Mercedes-Benz is to unveil a compelling new model in the luxury Sports Utility Vehicles segment: the new GL-Class. The seven-seater premium off-roader is the first full-size SUV from the world's oldest car manufacturer. The GL-Class offers first-class comfort along with excellent handling both on and off-road. Hallmark features include the spacious accommodation and the comfort of a saloon. If load space is more important than the number of seats, the rear individual seats can be stowed electrically, providing 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. The GL-Class sets another milestone with PRE-SAFE®, the comprehensive safety system, 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 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.
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. Combined with the front and rear deformation zones, the high-strength occupant cell forms the base for exemplary occupant protection. 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.
The GL-Class meets all the requirements of a state-of-the-art, luxury SUV and redefines them on a higher level. It also offers the hallmark Mercedes characteristics such as superlative robustness, ruggedness and long-term durability.
Outstanding handling on and off-road
4MATIC - the permanent all-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 Damping System also fitted as standard, the imposing GL-Class (wheelbase 3075 mm) handles impressively.
The ultra-modern engine line-up in all GL-Class models provides superlative ride comfort and majestic 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 has an output of 225 kW/ 306 hp and maximum torque of 700 Nm. Both diesel-powered versions undercut the EU4 limits and feature a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter. The GL-Class is also available with two ultra-modern V8 petrol engines, including the 5.5-litre engine launched earlier in the new S-Class, which also has an output of 285 kW/388 hp in the GL 500. The second and youngest member of this ultra-modern V8 family is celebrating its world premiere: the 250-kW/340-hp 4.6-litre engine in the GL 450 fulfils, like its bigger brother, the stringent EU4 limits (USA: LEV II standard).
All GL-Class engine variants come with the standard-fit 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with its unique technology. The 7G-TRONIC helps - in no small part thanks to its wide range of ratios ‑ to reduce fuel consumption, as do the lightweight construction and the excellent aerodynamics (Cd 0.37) for such a large vehicle. The world premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is taking place at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2006. US 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.
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