2007 Mercedes-Benz GL Class
merc1
Member Posts: 6,081
The vehicle that originally supposed to replace the "G-Class" has been revealed. It will make its debut in January at the Detroit Autoshow, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
The U.S. market will get the GL450 and GL550, with 335hp and 382hp respectively.
See Article
M
The U.S. market will get the GL450 and GL550, with 335hp and 382hp respectively.
See Article
M
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Looks pretty darn good in this shot.
It now appears that we're only getting the 335hp GL450 here in the U.S. Don't understand that when other SUVs in this class have at least that much power, if not more. A GL550 (382hp) should be sold here also.
M
And some more pictures.
Good Morning America actually showed it this a.m. as a crossover - but mentioned nothing about a price.
I'm irked by the R Class having all "good" things as options - heated seats, sunroof, xenon lights, etc. etc.
I hope this will be more "mercedes-like".
1. 3 rows of real seats. Last of which fold instantly into the floor.
2. 7,500lbs. towing capacity(!)
3. 1st M-B N. American Vehicle with available "Pre-Safe" system as an option!
4. Amazing head an neck protection systems available.
5. Reasonable $50,000 starting price!
6. Should hit US dealers (Made in Alabama) by the end of April!
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M
2) 7,500lbs. towing capacity (!) The engine really lacks torque. Only 339 pound-feet at 2,700-5,000. Frankly, it would be pretty alful towing something of that weight for a long period.
3. 1st M-B N. american Vehicle with availabe "Pre-Safe sysem as an option! This should be Standard. Its a Mercedes after all.
4. Amazing head neck protection systems availabe. Again it should be Standard.
Don't like to be a parrot, but it really looks like a Jeep or a Toyota Forerunner.
I personally don't see anything exciting about this product. Hopefully it sells and not turn out like some of their other products.
Thanks for your input re: M-B. Given your recent postings in the Volvo section, it would appear you have moved on.
I once was one of Mercedes biggest fan. After owning several Mercedes, I finally learned and bought others. I've learned that only thing with Mercedes is the name and the prestige. Have lots of friends who would never buy another Mercedes. When I was in the market for a suv, I bought a new (05) Range Rover. Luv it, glad I didn't buy a G500. We just bought 06 750Li. Didn't even bother looking at the S Class. In my opinion the Mercedes is less to be desired.
Kudos. Enjoy the Range Rover! :shades:
1. Neither Honda nor Mazda make a true SUV. Certainly not one that can tow 7,500lbs (or even HALF that amount). Nor do they make one where anything other than an adult chimpanzee can sit in the 3rd row. They do have the minivan utes though...I guess you were referring to those?
2. 339 lb. ft. of torque is adequate. Most GM Small block 5.3L V8's don't exceed that! Don't understand your comment...at all.
3. Pre-safe is a rather extensive safety system. Featured on the Science Channel "Car Crash Tech" TV program in 2004. Definitely shouldn't be standard though! :surprise:
4. The neck protection head rests ARE standard based on the literature (released so far).
So, you love the Rover, but dislike the GL450 before you've driven it? Ah, you must be a sheet metal buyer...???
Bought the Range Rover for off roading. I have a 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500, 8.1 liter for towing the toys. It has 450 lbs of torque. It tows like a champ. Unfortunately it doesn't have the safety features like the Volvo or Mercedes. Anyone who would tow 7500lbs would not even consider using a small block Chevy,GL500 and a Range Rover. Range Rover says that it could tow 7500lbs, but its tongue weight is only limited to 500lbs. What a joke!!!
As for the Pre Safe, its a Mercedes, it should come standard. In my opinion it would boost the sales if it was standard.
It has some very cool MB technology at work. Instead of a standard floor box shifter, it has a stalk similar to a turn signal that sticks out of the right side of the steering column. To put it in reverse, just push the stick up. To put it in drive, just flick the stick down. To put it in park, just press the silver button at the end of the stalk. For those of you who want the F1 experience in a SUV, it has shifter paddles on the back of the steering wheel. The engine was smooth and powerful. For those who might doubt that it doesn't have enough umph, drive it and see. Remember, it is a truck. The torque and acceleration off the line is good enough to throw you back in the seat. The steering is a little light and feels like it was designed for soccer moms. It also has a cool navigation screen. It wasn't DVD, but it had a compass. With the push of a button, the screen flipped out to reveal a single CD. Too cool!
In terms of the "bling" factor, the 2007 Escalade still has it beat out hands down. It is still a MB at the end of the day. I would not buy it in the first 4 to 6 months. I would wait until they get some of the bugs out. A friend of mine owns a S430. He waited a while before he got his and he did not experience problens early buyers had. As much as I want the smoother engine, 7 speed automatic and more space, I will wait. I had to have the LR3 and paid for it in lots of nagging problems. Once burned, twice shy.
As to the cool MB technology at work, the shifter, BMW has that also. I was wondering who came out with that idea first.
I might suggest waiting more than the first 4 to 6 months to get the bugs out. The 7 speed automatic still has alot of problems despite being out for a couple of years.
I had a 97 Mercedes (that body style was out for three years before I bought it) Mercedes bought back under the lemon law. Mercedes gave me a great deal on brand new 99 ML430. I drove it for a year and got rid of it. Lots of nagging problems. My wife bought a new 01 E320 station wagon. Even though that car was out for 5 years, still had lots of small problems. The service writer suggested if we were to keep the car, we should get an extended warranty because things were prone to go wrong. What you say about Land Rover "Once burned, twice shy" is how I feel about Mercedes.
The bright side: I do feel that Mercedes are built to protect its occupants in a crash.
M
1) It needs running boards to ease entry and exit.
2) The third row seat is more comfortable than the Escalades--you don't have your knees up around your ears.
3) The 2nd row legroom is marginal--less than my LX470.
4) The EPA mileage on the sticker was 14/18. The highway mileage is less than an Escalade's! So much for the obsolescence of pushrod engines.
5) It seemed to me like the seats were more comfortable than an ML's, although manual lumbar adjustment seems out of place in a $57,000 car.
6) The overall feel of the cockpit quality seemed a step up from the ML's.
7) The power third row seats are really slick in operation.
8) I think you can only enter the third row from the right hand side of the vehicle; not too nifty.
The one I looked at stickered at $65k, loaded up with all of the electronic doo-dads. It did not have the leather option though. While the MB-Tex might look and act like leather, the bottom line is- it is not leather, it is plastic.
I have been tossing around a two-year old (BMW powered)Range Rover over the past few months, driven a few etc. That vehicle just has a unique presentation. Crisp lines in and out. The GL just looks borderline grocery-getter.
I had seen something like 18/24 as a rumor and thought that sounded much much to high.
Glad to see I was right.
I have had the first two couple of people come in cross shopping the GL with a LR3 this past week.
No one cross shopping it with the Range Rover yet.
I realize the Bluetec is very clean, and there is something about having to go to the dealer for fill up of the urea. But, is that the only diesel that is going to be in the R, M, GL and E????
M
I think they need to go all out to get the ML/E/GL diesels on sales in those 5 states in which they currently can't sell new diesels. In Cali and NY the E320 and GL320 in particular I can see being in huge demand.
M
I think the R-class is a much better executive people mover then most other vehicles but if I was in the market for a vehicle like the R-class I would save 30 grand and buy a Pacifica.
With the gas prices the way they are, we'll see how well the GL sells. Right now it should sell well because its a hot new item, but time will tell.
M
I was really jazzed on an '07 Escalade for the wife and I was going to get an EXT in a couple months. We've waited an extra year to replace our outdated rides for the new engine, tranny and style on the "07.
Then we heard about the Mercedes GL 450. First I went to see it and was pretty impressed. I feared the wife would disdain its somewhat narrower and shorter (height) aspects. She hauls a lot of $%!# ! We live on a large ranch far from town and haul big loads of everything. Her family all drive Mercedes however and she knows they are good automobiles. She loved it. I loved it. I actually had more room in the front passenger seat than in my wifes expedition. (I'm 6'2" and 240 pounds) It was very quick. Quicker than the 'slade. It rode better and much quieter. The fittings and appointments are just about 100% superior to the american truck. The brakes were a whole nuther world to me. Holy jeebers! I didn't know 5500 pounds could stop that fast! With all the options we want compared to the same or near same on the Cadillac .... it's cheaper. The Mercedes will certainly have better resale value than the Cadillac. It has several options you can't get on the Escalade. Did I mention the thing is whisper quiet?
The only thing we felt would be better on the Cadillac was cargo capacity. Nope. The poorly storing second row rear seats in the Escalade eat up any extra space and you don't get a flat floor no matter what you do or what kind of seats you get. Then there are the ridiculous third row seats you have to drag in and out if you use said third row. Mercedes disappear into the floor in 4 seconds. They're nicer seats too.
I am now so ruined by my discovery of just what a Mercedes really IS .... I can't even get excited about the EXT. I've driven trucks all my life ... 40 years since I turned 16 and in my retirement I fancied myself tooling around in my very own caddy 'trucklette'. My dogs were all excited about getting to run from the truck bed to the back of my seat so they could snuffle my ears at will and then run outside and 'fly' down the road. How do I explain to them it may now never happen? Well .... at least the rear windows on the GL 450 go down all the way. hmmmmmmm his and hers GL 450s ? Why the ____ not?
M
I have driven both the new ML class and the R class and neither one impressed me. The R-Class just might have been the most painful vehicle for me to drive ever.
M
Very pleased with all test runs and the power 3rd row seats, but disappointed that "suddenly" everyone's buying them and impossible to get all my preferences (keyless go and non-black interior) for a fully-loaded lease. Will be waiting a few weeks for one with 95% of what I want, but still perfectly acceptable.
Annoyed that reverse cameras not available, but wonder how much need exists when you have front/rear bumper sensors.
Fanciest truck I ever drove.
Utility, luxury, efficiency and long range come together in the latest Mercedes SUV (Inside Line)
The steering wheel is a good size and really does feel good in your hands. Their is just enough padding on the wheel and the leather seems to be of high quality.
The second row seats are faily comfortable and the leg and head room are good in the second row as well.
Everything else about the vehicle was junk. Complete and total overpriced Merc junk.
Just to give you one example the power folding third row seats does not have a sensative enough safety catch. I weigh over 200 lbs and I could hit the button to close the rear seat with me sitting in it. The seat did not stop till my chest was pressed against the second row with considerable force.
A small child that did the same thing could very well be seriously injured by that seat and there is no way for the driver to lock out the power operated buttons.
The GL seems very softened and doesn't seem like it would have the off-road prowess of the the old G-wagen.
A fully equipped LR3 has a curb weight of 5,796 lbs, a 6 speed automatic and a CD of .41 gets 14/18.
The GL has an optional low range so it really has no off-road capablity at all.
The fate of the G500 is kind of up in the air. It has been discontinued so many times now and then brought back from the dead. What I have been told by people is that for next year it will be avaliable by special order only and they are winding production down at least on the civilian side. Military production will continue for a while.
So, can we just knock off slamming the competition? It is getting tiresome, and makes you sound like a typical car salesman.