Mercedes-Benz GL-CLASS: The Superior of All Classes
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by DaimlerChrysler from 2006 to 2007 followed by Daimler AG from 2007 to present coming in a 5 door and 7-seater SUV body style along with front-engine, four-wheel drive (4matic) layout. Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz SUV line produced above the GLE-Class sharing similar unibody style. It was formerly known as the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class but from 2016 to present, it is known as the GLS-Class. Mercedes-Benz comes in three generations; the X164, X166, and X167. This article concentrates on the first and second generation of the GL-Class highlighting the model’s performance capability, comfortability, and safety features.
The First Generation: X164
The first generation of the GL-Class was in production between 2006 and 2012 as a full-size luxury SUV coming in a 5-door body style related to the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. This generation joined the market with a total of three engine options including the 3.0 L V6 and 4.0 L V8 turbo-diesel engines as well as the 4.7-5.5 L V8 petrol engine supported by a 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Engines
This generation of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class comes in two petrol engine options namely GL450 and GL500 whereby the former comes in a 335 hp with a torque of 2,700-5000 rpm while the latter comes in a 382 hp with a torque of 2,800-4,800. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class comes in five diesel engines namely the GL320 CDI equipped by a 3.0 L V6 turbo engine powered by a 221 hp and a torque of 1,600-2,800 rpm, the GL350 CDI coming in a 3.0 L V6 engine powered by a 181 or 261 hp and a torque of 1,600-2,800 rpm or 1,750-2000 rpm, the GL350 CDI Bluetec coming in a 3.0 L V6 turbo engine powered by 208 hp along with a torque of 1,600-2,400 rpm, and lastly, the GL420 CDI and GL450 CDI both coming with a 4.0 L V8 twin-turbo engine powered by a 302 hp and a torque of 2,000-2,600 rpm.
Interior
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class comes with an amazing interior with enough room to accommodate up to 7 people in a luxury yet comfortable sitting arrangement. It is designed with 8-way power-adjustable front seats with driver seat memory and a roomy cabin coming with flexible seats that can be folded to create more room to load in cargo. To give you a more executive feel while onboard, Mercedes equipped the GL-Class with a fixed-glass rear sunroof that blocks the sun and lets you enjoy the outside scenery.
On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz lets you have an exclusive technological experience while on the road as it comes with multifunctional buttons on the steering wheel that allows you to access multiple features with just a shift of your fingertips. If you are a music lover, Mercedes-Benz is ready to fulfill all your musical demands with its in-dash 6-DVD/CD changer and a memory card reader, HD Radio stations with over 130 channels of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, iPod integration, and a 4GB music Register.
Safety & Security
This generation of Mercedes-Benz comes with essential safety and security features that are meant to keep both the driver and the passengers safe. It is designed with Bi-Xenon headlamps that shine with close perception to natural daylight along with LED Daytime Running Lamps and taillamps, Blind Spot Assist that alerts the driver about unforeseen vehicles, a PRE-SAFE system that detects vehicle instability, an Emergency-sensing system; a dua system that comes with an Electronic Stability Program and a Brake Assist, Nine standard airbags offering 13 total ways of protection which are the most offered by any SUV and finally a Post-collision response.
