Refined Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
BlueTEC technology, even more attractive equipment, fresh exterior elements and an upgraded interior – the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is now even more irresistible. At the forefront of the luxury SUV field, the 2010 GL-Class can travel up to 600 miles on one tank of fuel and has 50-state and EU 5 compliance across the entire model range. Further outstanding features of the new GL-Class include excellent handling characteristics both on and off road, exceptional interior space and all the comfort of a luxury sedan. Standard equipment on the luxury SUV includes the innovative PRE-SAFE® predictive occupant protection system. Options include the very latest assistance systems such as bi-xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination. The 2010 GL-Class will appear in U.S. showrooms this summer.
With the GL-Class, Mercedes-Benz occupies the top slot within the luxury SUV market and these latest upgrades have made the premium segment leader even more attractive. Alongside the technical developments and upgrades that bring improved fuel consumption and environmental compatibility to the GL350 BlueTEC in particular, designers have also added greater visual appeal to the vehicle’s distinctive exterior form. A more contemporary look for the bumpers, redesigned chrome skid plates front and rear, restyled chrome tail pipes, a new-look grille and a distinctive new pairing of the fog lamps and daytime running lights mounted in chrome all add even greater impact to the already impressive presence of the GL-Class. Also new are the aluminum alloy wheels with sizes ranging from 19 to 21 inches.
Overview of wheel/tire combinations:
| GL 350 BlueTEC | GL450 4MATIC | GL550 4MATIC | ||||
| Five-spoke design 8.5J x 19 / 275/75 R 19 |
- |
S |
- |
|||
| Five-twin-spoke design 8.5J x 20 / 275/50 R 20 |
S |
O |
- |
|||
| AMG five-spoke design 10J x 21 / 295/40 R 21 |
- |
- |
S |
S = Standard, O = Option, - = not available
The range of exterior paints has been extended with the addition of new metallic tones such as Steel Grey and Palladium Silver, and exterior detailing upgraded to include a brushed aluminum beltline and chrome roof rails. GL450 customers can also choose the optional Appearance Package, which includes 20-inch twin-five-spoke light alloy wheels and stainless steel running boards with rubber studs.
The luxury SUV is also a top performer when it comes to safety. The innovative PRE-SAFE® system prepares both occupants and vehicle for a possible collision – in just fractions of a second - thus optimizing protection functionality. In the 2010 GL-Class, this is accompanied by the POST-SAFE® system, which automatically unlocks the doors and shuts down the engine and fuel system following an accident. Another new feature of the 2010 GL-Class is the standard-fit Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring system, which checks the individual pressures of all four tires and provides the driver with a graphic read-out.
LED taillights are also included in the standard equipment package as is the new pairing of the fog lamps and daytime running lights, which are set together in a distinctive chrome element. Bi-xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination and headlamp washing system are available in the optional Lighting Package.
Interior – luxurious ambience
The interior of the GL-Class comfortably seats up to seven adult occupants with exceptional spaciousness and hallmark Mercedes-Benz luxury on a par with the S-Class. The new model year sees the addition of redesigned seats, while the GL550 top model is offered complete with heated and active ventilated front seats and three rows of leather upholstery. The GL350 BlueTEC and GL450 both receive an added touch of refinement with Burl Walnut trim as standard.
All vehicles feature a new instrument panel, a Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel and NECK-PRO crash active headrests for both driver and front-seat passenger. The optional Full Leather Seating package offers leather upholstery on all three seat rows, comfort head restraints and the indirect ambient lighting familiar to S-Class customers.
Sophisticated COMAND system as standard
The standard COMAND system features a large 6.5-inch color display screen with a standard in-dash, six-disc DVD / CD changer and a Bluetooth interface that allows a cell phone to be operated through the car’s audio system while still in a pocket or purse. It can be equipped with an optional iPod/MP3 interface, SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio and an enhanced voice control system.
The COMAND screen can play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or SD memory card. The system can also display maps and directions for the optional hard-drive navigation system, which can be set up for SIRIUS real-time traffic info and Zagat restaurant ratings.
All GL-Class models can be equipped with an optional 610-watt digital harman/kardon Logic7 audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system that includes two eight-inch screens, wireless headphones and a dual-source DVD player.
GL350 BlueTEC – AdBlue injection makes for benchmark figures
Impressive power, mighty torque and frugal fuel consumption with even lower emissions – the GL350 BlueTEC is one of the world’s cleanest luxury SUVs. The powerful V6 diesel power unit generates 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, yet travels an average of 23 miles highway on one gallon of fuel. It meets the world’s most stringent emissions standards, including BIN 5 in the U.S. and EU5 in Europe.
BlueTEC is a technology developed by Mercedes-Benz for the effective reduction of diesel vehicle emissions and nitrogen oxide in particular. This is the only component of diesel engine exhaust gas that exceeds that of gasoline engines due to the higher combustion temperatures associated with diesel engines. A harmless, aqueous urea solution called AdBlue is injected into the exhaust stream. This causes the release of ammonia that, in a downstream SCR catalytic converter, converts up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen and water.
However, the focus of attention for the engineers was not purely on exhaust gas aftertreatment. The specialists consider their task to be much more about the effective minimization of nitrogen oxide generated within the engine itself. The basic principle still applies – the lower the raw emissions, the more effective the operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment process. And this is why the powertrain engineers at Mercedes-Benz dedicate so much of their energy to the optimization of the engines and their combustion processes. The hardware of modern BlueTEC engines includes four-valve cylinder head technology, third-generation common-rail direct injection, a turbocharger with variable vane geometry, as well as an exhaust gas recirculation system and a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter. An intelligent, electronic engine control unit responds precisely to a broad range of operating conditions, thus optimizing the combustion process.
High-end driveline refinement in the GL450 4MATIC and GL550 4MATIC
Refined power delivery and the highest levels of driveline comfort are among the particular distinctions of the two gasoline V8 models. The 5.5 liter V8-engine in the GL550 generates 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. At only 6.4 seconds, the 0-60 mph acceleration time is almost comparable with that of a sports car, as is the electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The GL450 has a displacement of 4.6 liters, power output of 335 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It makes the dash from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and goes on to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.
Agile and safe – both on and off-road
Together with the innovative 4MATIC all-wheel drive, standard AIRMATIC air suspension, and available Adaptive Damping System (ADS II), the impressively proportioned GL-Class demonstrates surprisingly agile handling characteristics and guarantees excellent comfort with outstanding active safety. While the GL-Class clearly cuts a fine figure on the road, it also displays exceptional capability away from the blacktop. The modified AIRMATIC enables ground clearance of up to 12 inches. Additional electronic driving control systems such as the ORP off-road driving program, DSR downhill speed regulation and Hill Start Assist also lighten the load for GL-Class drivers.
