Mercedes lands new GL-Class

Mercedes-Benz has released its new GL-Class in Australia, where the brawny GL 63 AMG flagship will top the redesigned seven-seat luxury SUV range for the first time.

Priced from $129,900 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level GL 350 BlueTEC diesel (about $10,000 more than the model it replaces), the new GL line-up extends to the GL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY ($154,900) and the GL 63 AMG at $214,900.

While the petrol V8-powered GL 500 is new to Australia, the GL 350 CDI Luxury and GL 450 CDI Luxury diesel variants are no longer available.

All three new-generation GLs come with a seven-speed 7G-TRONIC Plus automatic transmission, a fuel-saving idle-stop function and permanent 4MATIC four-wheel drive as standard.

Priced $28,500 higher than the similarly powered ML 350 BlueTEC ($101,400), the base GL 350 BlueTEC is powered by a 190kW/620Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that consumes 7.7L/100km and emits 199g/km of CO2.

It comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera, leather trim, heated front seats and a 178mm TFT colour display with satellite-navigation, voice control, Bluetooth and internet connectivity.

The mid-range GL 500 BlueEEFFICIENCY packs a 320kW/700Nm 4.7-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 that consumes 11.5L/100km and emits 269g/km.

Additional equipment includes an AMG exterior sports bodykit, heated second-row seats, rear privacy glass, keyless starting and 21-inch AMG alloys.

The fire-breathing GL 63 AMG tops the range at a $35,500 premium over the ML 63 AMG ($179,400), but comes with a higher-performance 410kW/760Nm version of the ML 63’s 386kW/700Nm 5.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V8.

The result is claimed 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, which is one-tenth slower than the ML-AMG, half a second quicker than the GL 500 and a full three seconds quicker than the GL 350.

Naturally, the 2580kg GL 63 is the least efficient in the range at 12.3L/100km and 288g/km, but it’s only 0.8L/100km thirstier than the GL 500.

Features specific to the GL-AMG include AMG sports suspension, chromed AMG exhaust outlets, red AMG brake calipers and 21-inch AMG five-spoke alloys.

Inside, there’s a LED upshift indicator, 320km/h speedometer, four-spoke flat-bottom black nappa leather AMG steering wheel with aluminium paddleshifters, DAB digital radio tuner, Harman/Kardon surround sound system, AMG sports seats and AMG sports pedals.

Standard across the GL range is air suspension, adaptive damping, automatic climate-control, a glass sunroof, EASY-PACK tailgate and EASY-ENTRY third-row access.

Of course there’s also a raft of safety equipment, including automatic radar-based DISTRONIC PLUS cruise control, the PRE-SAFE collision preparation system, ATTENTION ASSIST, Brake Assist BAS PLUS, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.

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