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GL-Class: die Cayenne die!
By Yoann Besnard on 13 December 2005 | 
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The success of the Porsche Cayenne didn’t exactly please Mercedez-Benz. So the supervisory board decided to mix the R-Class and the M-Class and give birth to the new GL. Like the R-Class whose platform it uses, the GL is a bit closer to an Audi Q7 or Chevrolet Tahoe than a Porsche Cayenne: 200 inches long, 75.5 inches wide and 71.2 inches high. These dimensions can accomodate up to seven passengers at a level of comfort similar to the R-Class. Inside there is enough room for six Schwarzeneggers -a measure of roominess on the American market- but if you want more space for the luggage compartment, the individual rear seats can be stowed -of course- at the push of a button, either individually or in tandem to provide a capacity of 1240 litres. If you need more capacity, you can still the second row of seats to reach 2300 litres.
From the M-Class, it borrows the familiar SUV look (but boxier in order to be reminiscent of the G-Class) and a system derived from the 4Matic coupled with the family air suspension, Airmatic. With the G-Class badge, the GL off-road performances are under pressure. The G-Class was ugly but it was the best when you needed to drive in the mud. With its wheelbase of 120.8 inches, even with the help of the Airmatic suspension, some off-road sections might prove difficult to pass in a GL. But when we know that almost none of the SUV drivers ever use it outside the cities, it’s a minor detail.
If you want to compete with the Audi Q7 or Porsche Cayenne – the American SUVs are out of the race - you need powerful engines. Mercedes offers 4 engines, two V8 gasolines, one V6 and one V8 diesels. The top of the range labeled GL 500 is equipped with the V8 5.5 litre from the S-Class which develops 388 bhp whereas the second V8 unit is a new engine derived from the 5.5 litre which has a cylinder unit of 4.6 litre and develops 340 bhp. Diesel units are the same type, big and full of torque: alongside the V6 labeled GL 320 CDI of 224 bhp, a 4.0 litre V8 is available with an output of 306 bhp and an impressive torque of 516 Lb-Ft.
