So, with Benz's latest creation not being an outright replacement
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| The GL-Class will take top honours on the Mercedes-Benz SUV food chain, although the boxy G-Class will still be produced. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
for the current G-Class, in purpose or spirit, it will certainly be capable off-road and miles more enjoyable on pavement, kind of like a bigger and more luxurious ML. To avoid the risk of offending G-Wagen fanatics and worse yet, confusing an already overwhelmed luxury SUV buyer, it will be called the GL-Class. The old G-Class will continue to remain in production in Graz, Austria and surprisingly enough, will receive a freshening for 2006. It will return to being a specialty vehicle with limited availability as per its engineer's original intentions.
As was noted, the GL is essentially a larger version of the ML. In fact, it's XXL-sized at 5,088 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,840 mm tall, and riding on a stretched 3,075 mm wheelbase (200.3 / 75.6 / 72.4 / 121.1 inches respectively),
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| The GL was created off the same chassis that spawned the ML and the R-Class crossover. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
which currently makes it the largest member of Merc's modern off-roading family platform, that also serves as the foundation for the R-Class luxury crossover vehicle. For comparison, that's a massive 37.4 cm longer than the original G-Class, nearly 12 cm larger than the full-size Range Rover and 3.6 cm longer than the regular wheelbase Escalade. In other words, this is a very, very large vehicle.
Like the others, the new GL will be built in Mercedes' Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, the sole production facility to produce it. The GL is akin to its siblings in that it will use a monocoque frame for greater rigidity and a lower centre of gravity, electronically controlled air springs and dampers on an independent front and rear suspension system, speed-sensitive power steering as well as electronically controlled 4ETS four-wheel drive.
To
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| The GL-Class is larger than almost every luxury SUV on the road, bar the extended wheelbase Escalade ESV. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
keep its upper-crust image, the GL offers all the same luxuries and top-tier features as the most expensive Mercs. Only the finest materials and equipment make the cut, including the latest variation of the brand's COMAND multimedia/navigation system as well as the Mercedes' best sound systems. Benz's latest Thermotronic climate control ensures consistent temperatures throughout the vehicle - no matter the weather outside, while an optional panoramic roof provides natural light to the spacious cabin. Standing up to Benz's safety cachet, this premium SUV offers the new Pre-Safe system that includes seatbelt pretensioners and adaptive belts, as well front, side and full-length curtain airbags, plus much more.
