The GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.
It lacks the boxy styling and body-on-frame construction of the G-Class in favor of a modified version of the M-Class' unibody architecture. It is a 3-row, 7-passenger crossover SUV with much more luxurious equipment than previous civilian G-Class vehicles. All future GL-Class vehicles will be assembled at DaimlerChrysler's Alabama factory.
The first official photos of the vehicle have been released by Mercedes in November 2005. They bear the logo GL 320 at the rear, leading to the speculation that it will indeed be the GL-Class, and confirming that the current G-Class could coexist with the new model for some time. It is also possible that, besides the MLK-Class compact crossover SUV, a compact off-roader called G-Class will be built, both as a 3-door and as a 5-door.
Mercedes-Benz introduced its Bluetec Diesel system to the GL-Class at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as the GL320 Bluetec. This system uses urea to clean Diesel emissions, making the GL320 50-state legal in the United States. It went on sale as a 2007 model in July 2006.
Engines
+ GL 320 CDI Bluetec - 3.0 L Diesel V6, 224 PS (221 hp/165 kW)
+ GL 420 CDI - 4.0 L Diesel V8, 306 PS (302 hp/225 kW)
+ GL 450 - 4.6 L V8, 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW)
+ GL 500 - 5.5 L V8, 388 PS (383 hp/285 kW)
It lacks the boxy styling and body-on-frame construction of the G-Class in favor of a modified version of the M-Class' unibody architecture. It is a 3-row, 7-passenger crossover SUV with much more luxurious equipment than previous civilian G-Class vehicles. All future GL-Class vehicles will be assembled at DaimlerChrysler's Alabama factory.
The first official photos of the vehicle have been released by Mercedes in November 2005. They bear the logo GL 320 at the rear, leading to the speculation that it will indeed be the GL-Class, and confirming that the current G-Class could coexist with the new model for some time. It is also possible that, besides the MLK-Class compact crossover SUV, a compact off-roader called G-Class will be built, both as a 3-door and as a 5-door.
Mercedes-Benz introduced its Bluetec Diesel system to the GL-Class at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as the GL320 Bluetec. This system uses urea to clean Diesel emissions, making the GL320 50-state legal in the United States. It went on sale as a 2007 model in July 2006.
Engines
+ GL 320 CDI Bluetec - 3.0 L Diesel V6, 224 PS (221 hp/165 kW)
+ GL 420 CDI - 4.0 L Diesel V8, 306 PS (302 hp/225 kW)
+ GL 450 - 4.6 L V8, 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW)
+ GL 500 - 5.5 L V8, 388 PS (383 hp/285 kW)