The GL-Class is a full-size or large luxury SUV with a front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, produced since 2006 in three generations. It is the German automaker's flagship SUV with a capacity of 7 passengers. GLS is the rebranding of the current generation, with G standing for geländewagen, the German word for all-terrain vehicle, and L as linkage to S, making GLS an SUV S-Class. In total, 50,663 units were sold in Europe, while in the United States it sold 323,515 units.
The First Generation (2006-2012)
Codenamed X164, GL-Class had its debut at the North American International Auto Show in 2006. A factory was created in Alabama by Mercedes-Benz to manufacture the GL-Class, which cost around 600 million US dollars. It was different from the competition in that it used an elongated and widened M-Class platform rather than a body-on-frame construction method. In the United States, the GL500 model appeared as the rebranded GL550.
All models included electric leather seats, automated climate control system, alloy wheels, 4MATIC 4x4 drive, air suspension, and a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. Buyers could choose to add optional equipment, including a tyre pressure monitoring system, DAB digital radio, reversing camera, and rear seat infotainment screens. The Grand Edition featured a new front bumper and grille design, AMG alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, and two-tone interior.
Powertrain options were limited to two petrol engines, a 4.7L V8 and 5.5L V8, while diesel variants had three 3.0L V6 versions and a 4.0L V8. A facelift in 2009 changed all diesel engines to urea-injection in the exhaust system (BlueTEC) to meet emissions requirements. In 2010 GL350 CDI engine was updated while the GL450 CDI stopped production. In 2011, a Grand Edition model for GL450 and GL350 CDI BlueTEC was introduced.
In Australia, the available options were:
- GL500 5.5L V8 petrol engine, producing 285kW (382hp) at 6000rpm and 530Nm of torque at 2800-4800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.6 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL320 CDI 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine, producing 165kW (221hp) at 3800rpm and 510Nm of torque at 1600-2800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.5 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL350 CDI 3.0L V6, BlueTEC turbocharged diesel engine, producing 135kW (181hp) at 5000-6250rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1750-2000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.5 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL350 CDI 3.0L V6, BlueTEC turbocharged diesel engine, producing 195kW (261hp) at 3800rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL450 CDI 4.0L V8 twin-turbo diesel engine producing 225kW (302hp) at 3600rpm and 700Nm of torque at 2000-2600rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
The first generation sold a total of 154,636 units in the United States and only 24,462 in Europe. It received awards from MotorTrend and Car and Driver. AutoPacific also granted it the Motorist Choice Award in the SUV category.
The Second Generation (2012-2019)
Codenamed X166, the second generation debuted at the New York International Auto Show in 2012. It was made 10mm taller, 14mm wider, 21mm longer than the predecessor, as well as 100kg lighter.
Standard equipment included a COMAND system with a 5.8-inch display, LED headlights, adaptive air suspension, a full set of airbags, electric sunroof, Sat Nav and many other features.
Options include rear-seat infotainment system, soft close doors, 20 and 21-inch alloy wheels, off-road package, as well as active cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring system.
In 2016, the GL-Class received a facelift and got rebranded to GLS-Class. Exterior changes included full LED taillights and revised front end. The interior received a revised instrument panel, a new steering wheel, as well as an upgraded 8-inch COMAND system with Apple and Android support. Mechanically, GL500 and GL63 AMG received performance improvements, while the 7G-Tronic gave way to a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Powertrain options include 3.0L, 4.7L, and 5.5L petrol engines, and a single 3.0L diesel engine. For the first time, an AMG version was introduced with a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 engine. In Australia, the available options are:
- GL350 3.0L V6, twin-turbo petrol engine, producing 245kW (329hp) at 5250-6000rpm and 480Nm of torque at 1600-4000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.7 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL350 BlueTEC 3.0L V6, turbo diesel engine, producing 190kW (255hp) at 3600rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL500 4.7L V8, twin-turbo petrol engine, producing 320kW (429hp) at 5250rpm and 700Nm of torque at 1800-3500rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL500 4.7L V8, twin-turbo petrol engine, producing 335kW (449hp) at 5250-5500rpm and 700Nm of torque at 1800-4000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.3 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL63 AMG 5.5L V8, twin-turbo petrol engine producing 410kW (550hp) at 5500rpm and 760Nm of torque at 2000-4500rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GL63 AMG 5.5L V8, twin-turbo petrol engine producing 430kW (577hp) at 5500rpm and 760Nm of torque at 1750-5250rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.6 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 194,921 units in the United States, as well as 27,774 in Europe. The GL received MotorTrends' SUV of the Year award in 2013, while as GLS, it received Car Drivers' 10 Best Award in the large SUV category in 2017.
The Third Generation (2019-present)
Codenamed X167, the third-generation GLS-Class was presented at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, set to launch in October for the US market and at the end of 2019 worldwide. It is 77mm longer and 22mm wider than its predecessor and has a 60mm longer wheelbase.
It will feature fully electrically-adjustable seats for all three rows, as well as six-seat layout with two seats in the middle row. Other equipment includes an innovative LED headlamp system, two 12.3-inch screens on the instrument cluster, optional rear-seat infotainment system. High-tech options are available, such as Acoustical-Comfort Package that reduces noise, Energizing Package and Energizing Package Plus that uses artificial intelligence to manage driving comfort and the driver's attention.
A Mercedes-Maybach collaboration on the GLS-Class has been confirmed and is set to release at a later date.
All of the powertrain options will come with the 9-speed automatic 9G-Tronic transmission. AMG version will not be available at launch, and there are no announcements about it yet. The lineup includes:
- GLS450 4MATIC, I6 3.0L bi-turbo petrol-electric engine producing 270kW (360hp) and 500Nm of torque, with the electric engine producing 16kW (22hp) and 250Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.2 seconds, the top speed of 240km/h
- GL580 4MATIC, V8 4.0L bi-turbo petrol-electric engine producing 360kW (480hp) and 700Nm of torque, with the electric engine producing 16kW (21hp) and 250Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.3s and a top speed of 250km/h
- GLS350d 4MATIC, I6 3.0L bi-turbo diesel engine producing 210kW (280hp) and 600Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 227km/h
- GLS400d 4MATIC, I6 3.0L bi-turbo diesel engine producing 243kW (326hp) and 700Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 238km/h
Author: Luka Kusic