 The Stuttgart-based brand
Superlative
comfort whatever the conditions
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The new Mercedes-Benz GL-ClassStuttgart - Mercedes-Benz is to unveil a new highlight in the luxury Sports Utility Vehicle market segment: the GL-Class.
In the five-seater version, luggage compartment capacity is 1240 litres - an impressive benchmark value in the class. The GL-Class can provide up to 2300 litres of load capacity, with the load compartment measuring 2128 mm in length. In line with the wide range of applications handled by the versatile all-rounder, the THERMATIC automatic climate control system fitted as standard in the GL 320 CDI provides consistent temperature for all seven seats both in the depths of winter and on those sweltering summer days. The versions with V8 engines such as the GL 420 CDI, GL 450 and GL 500 come with the standard-fit multizone THERMOTRONIC system, which offers even more climatic comfort. Other standard-fit convenience and comfort appointments include ARTICO man-made leather upholstery combinations, electrically adjustable front seats and a fixed rear glass roof above the third row of seats. Intelligent solutions promote excellent safety The GL-Class makes full use of the advantages of its unitised body, combining op-timum strength with intelligent lightweight steel design. The result is excellent passive safety. Combined with the front and rear deformation zones, the high-strength occupant cell forms an efficient base for the occupant protection systems that in-clude:
· Adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger With the optionally available PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system, a world first in this market segment, Mercedes-Benz has raised safety to an even higher level. The system's most striking feature: passive and active safety systems are networked with each other. PRE-SAFE® utilises the sensors in the dynamic handling control systems such as ABS, BAS (Brake Assist) and ESP® and optimises the pro-tective function of the passive safety components in potential accident situations. The GL-Class also takes the issue of pedestrian protection to a new level. The front section includes precisely defined ample crumple space between the body and the major assemblies underneath. In conjunction with impact zones that are designed to yield, this design provides a high degree of protection both for pedestrians and cyclists. The GL-Class meets all the requirements of a state-of-the-art, luxury SUV, or even redefines them on a higher level. Yet the hallmark Mercedes off-roader genes such as superlative robustness, ruggedness and long-term durability have not been compromised. It is not for nothing that the model designation echoes the legendary pre-cursor of all Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicles - the G-Class. The evergreen off-roader is now entering its 26th year of production and will continue to be marketed alongside the new GL-Class. Outstanding handling on and off-road
Majestic drive systems: new V6 and V8 engines
The ultra-modern engine line-up in all GL-Class models provides superlative
drive comfort and compelling performance coupled with superior fuel consumption
figures compared with other vehicles in the class. Alongside the 165-kW/224-hp
V6 engine in the GL 320 CDI, the range of diesel models includes the
new-generation high-performance V8 diesel in the GL 420 CDI, which now has
an output of 225 kW/ 306 hp and maximum torque of 700 Nm. Both diesel-powered
versions undercut the EU 4 limits and feature a maintenance-free diesel
particulate filter. In addition to the newly developed 5.5-litre, 285-kW/388-hp
engine in the GL 500, launched earlier in the new S-Class, the second unit
in this ultra-modern V8 family of engines is celebrating its world premiere
in the GL-Class. In the GL 450 the 4.6-litre engine develops 250 kW/340 hp.
Both engines also fulfil the stringent EU 4 limits (USA: LEV II standard).
All GL-Class engine variants come with the standard-fit 7G-TRONIC seven-speed
automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT. Excellent performance and low
fuel consumption result not just from the perfect combination of ultra-modern
engines with 7G-TRONIC and the friction-optimised powertrain. Another important
factor is the comparatively low gross vehicle weight thanks to the unitised
body and the excellent aerodynamics (Cd 0.37) for such a large vehicle. Success story from state-of-the-art production facilities "Mercedes Quality - Made in the USA" has established itself as the company's new trademark on the other side of the Atlantic and illustrates the success story of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Tuscaloosa/Alabama. The birthplace of the GL-Class started production in 1997 as the first Mercedes-Benz plant outside Europe. Around 600 million US dollars have been invested since 2001 in expanding and constantly modernising the plant; overall the company has invested around 1 billion US dollars. Following the extension of the Tuscaloosa plant in May 2005, its theoretical annual production capacity for all model series stands at 160,000 units. The new GL-Class is now the third model series to be built here, alongside the M-Class and the R-Class. The world premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will take place at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2006. U.S. customers will be the first to savour the delights of the new trendsetter in the spring; European customers will have to wait until September 2006 for a taste of the versatile off-roader. About Mercedes-Benz USA Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2004, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 11 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.
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The seven-seater premium off-roader offers excellent
handling both on and off-road and pampers occupants with its extremely spacious
accommodation and the comfort of a luxury saloon. The GL-Class sets another
milestone with PRE-SAFE®, the comprehensive safety system, a first
in this market segment. With its poised, assured presence, the GL-Class leaves
you in no doubt about its aspirations to conquer this competitive market
segment. The distinctive design idiom exudes power and exclusivity. Calm
body surfaces, powerful, wedge-shaped features and striking details give
the impression the luxury off-roader is surging forward even when stationary.
The spacious body (length 5088 mm, width 1920 mm, height 1840 mm) is beautifully
proportioned. The welcoming interior with its top-quality materials provides
passengers with that feel-good atmosphere as only Mercedes knows how, with
more than ample space for up to seven passengers. The GL-Class offers superb
comfort on board - whether you're just popping into town, cruising hundreds
of kilometres or negotiating rough terrain. Occupants still enjoy good freedom
of movement even on the two full-sized individual seats in the third row
of seats. The distance to the middle row of seats is 815 mm, with 979 mm
headroom for passengers. If you need fewer seats, the rear individual seats
can be stowed electrically at the push of a button, either individually or
in tandem to provide a completely flat load surface.
4MATIC - the permanent four-wheel drive from
Mercedes-Benz - provides the GL-Class with superior handling whatever the
conditions. Together with the stan-dard-fit AIRMATIC air suspension, the
precise speed-sensitive power steering and the ADS Adaptive Damper System
also fitted as standard, the imposing GL-Class (wheelbase 3075 mm) handles
impressively.