New Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Details

Press Release

Page 1 – Overview
Page 2 – Model range & equipment
Page 3 – At a glance
Page 4 – Body & Interior
Page 5 – Safety
Page 6 – Drivetrain & Chassis
Page 7 – Design
Page 8 – Technical data
Page 9 – Technical data

Body, interior and climate control: Feel-good atmosphere in a class of its own

Attractive and impressive interior design, vast amounts of space, excellent seating ergonomics and automatic climate systems allow up to seven occupants to travel in first-class comfort, whether on short trips about town, on long-distance tours or driving off-road. The upscale equipment and the strongly appealing interior architecture, with its genuine wood trim and leather-upholstered dashboard, all help to create a typical Mercedes-Benz atmosphere of comfort and congeniality. At the same time a stiff, high-strength body structure provides a firm foundation not only for high standards of passive and active safety but also for comfort-enhancing low noise and vibration levels.

The external and internal dimensions shown below are a good indicator of the spaciousness offered by the new GL-Class. The corresponding figures for the R-Class are shown side-by-side for comparison:

* In seven-seater configuration
** Short-wheelbase version (long wheelbase)

As the comparison shows, the spaciousness of the GL-Class is comparable to the spaciousness offered by the R-Class's "dynamic space concept". Occupant room in the third seat row is particularly good.

Electrically adjustable seats as standard

The GL-Class features electrically adjustable front seats and a manually adjustable multifunction steering wheel as standard. Extensive adjustment possibilities mean that occupants of all sizes can select an ergonomically optimal seating position. At the press of a button on the outer side of the seat cushion, the seats can be adjusted for fore-and-aft position, height, cushion angle and backrest angle. The driver's seat has a manually adjustable lumbar support. The head restraints are manually adjustable. Both front seats offer an excellent balance between good lateral support and superior springing and damping. One example: in the side bolsters, firmer foam plastic is used to provide good lateral support under heavy lateral acceleration, while in other areas a softer compound is used, to provide outstanding comfort. The V8 versions ??????????????????????????????????????? the GL 420 CDI, GL 450 and GL 500 ??????????????????????????????????????? are equipped as standard with electrically adjustable seats with memory function and electrically adjustable steering column. Optionally, comfort can be taken even further, with multicontour seats. As an alternative to the standard "ARTICO" seat upholstery, leather or nappa leather upholstery is also available. On the top-of-the-line GL 500, nappa leather is standard.

Centre-row bench seat and third-row individual seats in rear

The centre-row bench seat with four-way backrest adjustment provides high seating comfort for up to three passengers. The wider section of the 1/3:2/3 split-folding seat has a folding armrest with cup holder and compartment. The back-rests and the cushions can both be folded down, for transporting bulky loads: the divided seat cushion folds forwards in individual sections, then the backrests are folded forwards to create a flat surface level with the load floor at the rear. The outstanding loading dimensions of the GL-Class are shown below, again alongside the corresponding figures for the spacious six-seater R-Class:

* In seven-seater configuration
** Short-wheelbase version (long wheelbase)
*** VDA method

A newly developed EASY-ENTRY system provides convenient access to the optional third-row individual seats. To use this facility, the narrower backrest section of the bench seat is released and folded forward together with the cushion. If the front passenger seat is in a further back position, it automatically slides forward. When the third-row passengers have taken their seats, the bench seat can be folded back into position and the front passenger seat returns to its original position.

Equipped with the third-row individual seats, the GL-Class is a full-size seven-seater. Either one or both seats can be electrically folded to create a continuously level load floor which, when the centre seat row is folded down as well, extends right the way through to the front seat backs. Customers who do not opt for the seven-seater version get an additional stowage compartment under the load compartment floor. A fixed panoramic sunroof over the third-row seats, which is equipped with a sunblind, provides additional comfort and enhances the sense of spaciousness. There are integral armrests in the sidewall trim and a cup holder is fitted on either side. The optional rear-seat entertainment system, comprising two colour monitors with headphone jacks in the back of the front head restraints and a CD/DVD player under the centre bench seat, allows rear-seat passengers in the GL-Class to listen to or watch their own choice of music or films. To extend the entertainment programme even further, external audio/video sources or a games console can be connected to the system.

The proven EASY-PACK system makes for easier loading and unloading and secures the cargo. A load compartment cover and a safety net, which attaches behind the front seats or behind the centre bench seat are standard on all GL models, together with eight load-securing rings. Optionally, a hydraulically operated tailgate with remote control can be supplied, or a floor-anchored EASY-PACK load-securing kit.

A pleasant climate and good entertainment

Since this adaptable and multi-talented vehicle is designed for very varied applications, the GL 320 CDI is equipped as standard with the THERMATIC automatic climate control system, to ensure that all seven occupants can enjoy a pleasant climate on board even in arctic cold or in tropical heat. The diesel models are equipped with a 1.7-kilowatt heater booster to provide quick warmth in cold weather. THERMATIC offers dual-zone temperature control for driver and front passenger, a continuously variable fan speed and automatic variable air recirculation, for more effective cooling. The V8 models ??????????????????????????????????????? GL 420 CDI, GL 450 and GL 500 ??????????????????????????????????????? are equipped as standard with the multi-zone THERMOTRONIC climate control system, which takes climate comfort to a new level, with separate temperature controls for passengers in the rear. The rear section is also equipped with its own booster. In conjunction with the multi-zone THERMOTRONIC, a rear air condition-ing unit can also be supplied, for further enhanced cooling in the second and third seat rows.

A variety of audio systems offer highest standards of information, communication and entertainment. The Audio 20 radio with CD player, eight speakers, monochrome display and mobile phone pre-installation with telephone keypad is standard specification. The Audio 50 APS model adds a CD navigation system and a colour display. The top-of-the-line COMAND APS system with integrated radio, CD/DVD player, DVD navigation, telephone operation, colour display and off-road menu is combinable with a TV tuner and a reversing camera. All audio systems can be upgraded with a surround sound system with eleven speakers and a sub-woofer to recreate a concert hall sound experience.

Body ??????????????????????????????????????? long life and top-class aeroacoustics

A stiff body structure provides the basis for comfort-enhancing low noise and vibration levels in the GL-Class. Strength is maximised by structural reinforcements which include an X-shaped underfloor reinforcement and a so-called "D" ring. At the rear, behind the large tailgate, the body ends in a hoop-type structure resembling a fuselage bulkhead as used in aircraft production. This "D" ring connects the rear roof rail with the sidewalls and the floor structure, and provides significantly improved torsional stiffness and dimensional stability. At the body-in-white stage, 17 noise-insulating foam elements are installed in each sidewall. Further noise reduction is provided by careful sealing of all seams and flanges.

The low wind noise levels in the GL are unsurpassed in this class. Smooth airflow over the body, the optimised shape of the exterior mirrors, improved airflow around the A-pillar and the double or triple seals on the doors all help to reduce wind noise to a minimum. The windows play their part as well: the windscreen is 5 mm thick and the side windows 4.1 mm thick.

The fully galvanised body and further corrosion-proofing measures such as cataphoretic immersion coating, cavity preservation, seam sealing and localised use of steel panels with additional coating in areas particularly at risk from corrosion help to ensure a long service life and maximum value retention. They are the basis for the 30-year corrosion perforation warranty which forms part of the standard MobiloLife warranty. Further corrosion protection is provided by the six-part plastic underside panelling and a nano-particle clearcoat which is more scratch-proof than conventional paintwork and thus ideal for an off-road vehicle.