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Assistance Systems Place the GL at the Top of its Class
For further improved safety and driver alertness in the new GL-Class there are a
wide range of assistance systems. Standard equipment includes the usual array of
stability control features ESP, ASR, ABS and the PRE-SAFE predictive occupant
safety system, and also introduces for the first time as standard COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST (CPA) and ATTENTION ASSIST driver drowsiness detection. The
radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST operates at speeds between 20 and 155
mph and recognizes when the distance to the vehicle in front is decreasing. It
can also recognize stationary objects. If there is an imminent risk of a
collision, the system emits a visual and acoustic warning to alert the driver
and prepares Brake Assist for the most immediate possible braking response,
which is initiated as soon as the driver applies the brakes.
The system takes into account specific driving conditions such as bumper-tobumper
traffic and adapts accordingly, calculating optimum brake pressure and adjusting
it up or down as the situation changes - i.e. if the vehicle ahead accelerates,
or if the distance to moving and stopping vehicles decreases. It calculates the
precise braking force required to avoid an accident and makes best possible use
of any distance remaining to minimize the risk of impact from the vehicle
behind.
Another innovation and highlight in the new GL is the standard Crosswind
Stabilization system, which assists the driver with targeted brake impulses in
the event of strong crosswinds to deliver enhanced safety and vehicle control.
The optional Driver Assistance package includes DISTRONIC PLUS and PRESAFE brake
with autonomous braking function to optimize safety in certain dangerous
situations. The package also comes with Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active
Blind Spot Assist. The Parking Assist package for the GL350 BlueTEC and GL450
features PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist for automatic maneuvering in and
out of parallel parking spots, plus the new surround view camera. It uses image
data from four cameras at the front and rear of the vehicle and in the exterior
mirror casings to calculate a bird's eye view of the vehicle and its
surroundings, and shows this and other perspectives on the large COMAND display.
Also available for the GL350 BlueTEC and GL450 is the Lighting package, which
includes Bi-xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination & Corner Illuminating
Lamps, a headlamp cleaning system and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. The equipment in
the Parking Assist and Lighting packages is standard for the GL550.
Passive Safety
Together with the "electronic crumple zones" provided by the assistance systems
and the intelligent bodyshell design, the passive occupant protection systems
provide the highest possible level of protection. Adaptive, two-stage airbags
for driver and front seat passenger, driver side knee airbag, front & rear side
airbags and window curtain airbags across all three seating rows are all
standard equipment, while all seven seats are fitted with three-point safety
belts.
Pyrotechnic pre-tensioners, constant belt force limiters and electrically
reversible pre-tensioners are all standard on the front seats, while the
outboard seats on the middle row and the individual third-row seats are fitted
with pre-tensioners and single-stage belt force limiters.
GL-Class Engines
All three of the engines in the new GL lineup deliver outstanding performance
paired with excellent efficiency.
The extensively re-engineered V6 under the hood of the new GL350 BlueTEC
generates 240 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, marking an increase of 30 hp and 55
lb-ft over the outgoing model. SCR technology and AdBlue injection place it well
within emissions requirements across all 50 states. Supremely fuel efficient, it
offers astonishing range on a single tank, paired with excellent pulling power
from very low revs.
The twin-turbo direct-injection V8 motor in the best-selling GL450 is an
outstanding combination of performance and efficiency. With 362 hp and 406 lb-ft
of torque, it offers 27 hp and 67 lb-ft more than its predecessor. This added
power and higher peak torque delivered over a wider rev range deliver all the
prerequisites for relaxed long-distance cruising, as well as the versatility and
responsiveness to deal with a wide variety of day-to-day activities.
At the top of the list, the GL550 now comes with a direct-injection twin-turbo
429 hp engine with a mighty 516 lb-ft of peak torque. While the extra 47 hp
brings even more performance to this supremely refined full-size SUV, it is the
added 125 lb-ft of peak torque that truly make themselves felt, in terms of off
the line performance and the ability of the GL550 to handle heavy loads with
ease. Alongside state-of-the-art engine technology, all three engines are
equipped with extensive efficiency measures like direct-injection and paired
with the new seven-speed automatic transmission. Intelligent alternator
management keeps fuel consumption down, as does the electromechanical steering,
the optimized belt drive with decoupler, the intelligent demand-based control of
all auxiliary equipment and pumps. A key feature of the GL350 BlueTEC is also
the SCR exhaust system optimized for airflow and back pressure.
Compelling Equipment Packages
Extensive standard equipment, individual equipment packages and an attractive
range of paint finishes and premium interior appointments define the look of the
new GL-Class. It comes to the U.S. market in three model variants, the GL350
BlueTEC with a V6 diesel, the GL450 and GL550 V8 biturbo gasoline versions.
The comprehensive list of standard equipment has been significantly expanded in
comparison with the previous model. It incorporates safety features such as
ATTENTION ASSIST, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and Crosswind Stabilization.
Comfort details like the power liftgate, an electric power/tilt sliding glass
sunroof, MB-Tex upholstery with perforated surface finish and heated 8-way power
front seats with driver 4-way lumbar support are also standard, as is the COMAND
system with central controller.
A wide range of optional packages provides customers with extensive choice and
added refinement. The Premium 1 package for the GL350 BlueTEC and GL450 includes
the iPod/MP3 media interface, hard-drive navigation and voice control, satellite
radio and multi-color ambient lighting with illuminated door sills, and memory
function for the front seats. The Premium 2 package adds the harman/kardon
LOGIC7 surround-sound system, KEYLESS-GO and softclose doors. Further packages
available for the GL350 BlueTEC and GL450 are the Lighting package, the Parking
Assist package, the Lane Tracking package with Blind Spot Assist and Lane
Keeping Assist. The GL450 also offers the Appearance package with 20-inch
10-spoke wheels, illuminated running boards and dual chrome-tipped exhaust
outlets.
The GL550 boasts an unparalleled array of standard equipment that also includes
driver and passenger multi-contour seats with massage function and active
ventilation, 3-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning, an
iPod/MP3 media interface, hard-drive navigation and voice control, the harman/kardon
LOGIC7 surround-sound system, satellite radio, multi-color ambient lighting,
KEYLESS-GO, soft-close doors, PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist, Bi-xenon
headlamps with Active Curve Illumination and Corner Illuminating Lamps and
illuminated brushed aluminum running boards. Its safety equipment is further
enhanced by Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and
Surround View.
The Driver Assistance package is available for all three models, while the On-
and Off-road package can be selected for the GL450 and GL550. A further array of
standalone and special order options is available for all three models. A fine
choice of flat and metallic paint finishes spans from Black and Arctic White, to
Cinnabar Red, Obsidian Black, Steel Grey, Iridium Silver, Pearl Beige, Dakota
Brown, Diamond White and Lunar Blue.
Inside, the GL350 BlueTEC and GL450 are fitted with Eucalyptus wood trim as
standard, while the GL550 comes with Burl Walnut. MB-Tex upholstery is offered
in Black, Almond Beige or Grey, with genuine leather in a choice of Black,
Almond Beige or Grey. designo upholstery with DINAMICA headliner as well as
designo Black Piano Lacquer Wood Trim and a designo wood/leather multifunction
steering wheel are optionally available.
Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications
