PRESS RELEASE | The 2010 GL-Class is even more appealing

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class continues to hold a strong position in the market segment of luxurious sports utility vehicles. 
But, with the latest model update Mercedes has made the premium off-roader even more attractive. 

Exterior changes include modernised bumpers, redesigned chrome underbody protection at the front and the rear, a new radiator grille, fog lights and optional day time driving lights.  

Other new features include light-alloy wheels measuring between 19, 20 and 21 inches and reworked chrome tailpipes.
The range of colours is supplemented by two new metallic paint colours: “Tenorite Grey” and “Palladium Silver”.
The tow bar is now hidden behind the rear apron and is swung out when needed.

“The GL-Class also offers the very best in safety and remains the leading force in this field,” says Mayer.
The safety features encompass a variety of assistance systems, including the innovative safety concept PRE-SAFE®, which automatically prepares the vehicle and its occupants for an impending collision by optimally activating the protective functions.
The SUV’s Intelligent Light System (ILS) optimally distributes the light across the road in line with the respective driving situation and weather conditions. Features also include LED daytime driving lights and taillights. 
“With these added safety systems the GL-Class can continue to set the benchmark for safety in the luxury SUV market,” adds Mayer.

Luxurious interior with outstanding feel-good factor
Occupants of the GL-Class will enjoy a spacious interior that provides seating for up to seven passengers.
The redesigned luxury leather seats now come with contrasting trim, with the top-of-the-line GL 500 model available in nappa leather.
Both vehicles now has a new range of instruments, a multifunction nappa leather steering wheel and crash-responsive NECK PRO comfort headrests for the driver and the front-seat passenger.

Instrument cluster
With this new facelift, the instrument cluster features a high-class 3D look. 
The analogue clock is incorporated into the speedometer tube and the fuel gauge into the rev counter tube.
The clock and fuel gauge are set in high-gloss chrome surrounds. Between the two large tubes is a multifunction display that is divided horizontally and shows, among other things, the selected driving mode and information activated by the steering wheel gearshift buttons, such as trip computer, basic settings etc.

Safe and agile both on and off the road
The new GL features innovative 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system, the standard-fitted AIRMATIC air suspension, the high-precision direct steering system and the standard-fitted Adaptive Damping System (ADS).
As a fully fledged off-roader, the GL performs well not only on the road but also when driving cross-country.
The modified AIRMATIC system allows the vehicle to achieve a ground clearance of up to 307mm.
The Off-Road-Pro engineering package is a standard feature and greatly improves manoeuvering in difficult terrain, thanks to the use of gear ratio reduction and multiple disc locks at the rear axle and the centre differential.
The driver’s task is further simplified by additional electronic handling systems, such as Off-road ABS, Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) and anti-stall assist.

Cleaner, more powerful and economical engines
Equipped with common-rail technology, the GL 350CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY with 165kW of power is a powerful V6 diesel engine with low-consumption. This engine achieves a maximum torque of 510Nm as early as between 1600-2800 r/min.

The V8 engine in the GL 500 4MATIC is among the most powerful in its displacement class with comparatively frugal consumption. 
This 8-cylinder engine with 285kW develops a maximum torque of 530Nm, which is available over a wide range of 2800-4800 r/min.
The GL 500 4MATIC accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 6,5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h. 
The lightweight construction of this engine consists of aluminium and forged steel works, together with special shifting camshafts which optimise the gas cycle in the engine. This results in improved smoothness and higher torque. 
The powerful V8 petrol engine meets the stringent EU 5 limits regarding consumption and emissions and has a CO2  total value of (g/kg min. – max.) 317 – 322, whilst the 4cylinder V6 common rail diesel engine for the GL 350 CDI has a CO2 total value of 244 – 253 and meets EU 4 limits.

The intelligent automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC constantly adapts to meet the requirements of the current driving situation and the individual driving style of the driver. 
This standard 7-speed automatic transmission is operated via the DIRECT SELECT lever on the steering column.
The seven forward gears allow an ideally adapted engine speed at all times, thereby cutting fuel consumption, while the shorter shift times and smoother shifts make gear changes easier as well as reduces the noise level.  Manual shifting is also possible thanks to the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Chassis and suspension
The AIRMATIC air suspension and the Adaptive Damping System (ADS) really come into their own on the road, offering a high level of comfort as well as impressive agility. 
The standard AIRMATIC air suspension with its adaptive shock absorbers adjusts itself to suit the prevailing road conditions, load and driving situation.  Thanks to its all-round self-levelling ability, the ground clearance always remains constant, irrespective of the load, so AIRMATIC offers a high standard of comfort on the road, coupled with increased driving stability. 
Off the beaten track the full air suspension with additional vehicle-level adjustment also boosts the off-road capability. 
If necessary the vehicle also switches over to stiffer settings and the vehicle height can be regulated at the touch of a button. 
The body can be raised or lowered at any time when the engine is running – either automatically or by pressing a button. The system operates according to speed and lowers the body by 15mm at both axles automatically from 120km/h.  This reduces air resistance and increases driving stability. 
Below 40km/h the car’s body is raised to its normal level again.

The standard Damping System (ADS) changes the way in which the shock absorbers work, taking into account the condition of the road, driving style and load. 
During a normal journey, the system works with soft basic damping but reacts within just 50 milliseconds to increased driving dynamics (such as a sudden evasive manoeuvre or braking), so as to adjust the damping force for each individual wheel. 
The current driving situation is established using a steering angle sensor, three acceleration sensors on the body, the speedometer signal, the ESP® data and the signal from the brake pedal switch. On the basis of this information, the electronic control unit determines the best damping effect for each case, and the driver can also influence the damping force by pressing a button in the centre console:  the programmes ‘Auto’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Comfort’ are available for selection.

The all-wheel-drive system 4MATIC, includes 4ETS
As 4MATIC is always active, it responds instantaneously in poor weather conditions. 
4MATIC is assisted by the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®) and the electronic traction system 4ETS with integral ABS and ASR functions which provide additional support for the all-wheel drive.
4ETS enables controlled braking of spinning wheels and, as a consequence, increases the drive torque at the wheels offering good traction, allowing plenty of power when moving off and when accelerating, especially on poor road surfaces. 
4MATIC makes conventional differential locks superfluous:  the automatic braking pulses make it easier to move off on slippery ground as well as enhancing stability during critical manoeuvres.

The all-wheel drive operates via a two-stage transfer case with reduction and is directly connected to the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. 
Under normal circumstances two propshafts with constant velocity joints transfer the torque evenly to the front and rear axle, and a bevel differential takes care of the rotational speed compensation. Working together with the powerful engines and the seven-stage 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, the 4MATIC all-wheel drive helps the GL-Class to achieve excellent driving dynamics.

Off-road capability with the Off-Road Pro Engineering package
Equipped with its standard-specification Off-Road Pro Engineering package, the GL can handle the most extreme off-road terrain: for example, the Hill-Start Assist, helps the driver to make progress on an incline, or the off-road ABS, which reduces braking distances on downhill gradients, particularly when driving on loose surfaces. 
It manages to do this because it is fitted with six-piece underbody panelling and this offers good protection when driving in off-road terrain. 
Together with the reinforced front underguard made of steel, the underbody panelling ensures that the off-roader remains robust when the off-road conditions get tough.
The modified AIRMATIC facilitates ground clearance of 307mm in the highest off-road mode, as well as a fording depth of 600mm, making light work of stream crossings and rocky stretches. 

Thanks to its front double-wishbone suspension and its four-link rear suspension, the GL-Class has special off-road capabilities. 
The isolated design of the subframes prevents any jolts from being transferred via the vehicle’s body. 
The upshot is that rough terrain will be virtually imperceptible to the occupants of the vehicle, who can be sure of a comfortable ride. 
Also playing a major role in the special driving experience of the GL-Class  are the 4ETS and the two-speed, low-range transfer case, which not only ensure that the necessary grip is there when you need it in difficult conditions, they also increase those all-important safety levels. 
The Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), can be used to select different maximum speeds on steep downhill stretches. 

Safe driving
In the ‘safe driving’ phase, vehicle systems are able to intervene before an accident can occur. 
ESP® including trailer stabilisation (standard) is one such safety system. 
While towing, the trailer stabilisation gives the driver additional support, along with the standard-specification ESP®. 
If the trailer starts swinging back and forth when on the move, the intelligent system can recognise the problematic driving situation and applies short brake actuations to quickly stop the trailer movement.

The optional DISTRONIC proximity control uses a radar sensor to help the driver maintain the set distance to the vehicle in front in a speed range of 0 – 200 km/h. 
This takes a lot of strain off the driver, particularly on highways and in heavy traffic.
If the vehicle is getting too close to another vehicle, it decelerates or activates the brake of its own accord.  When the road is clear again, DISTRONIC continues to work like a conventional cruise control.

The optional Intelligent Light System and LED daytime running lights with adaptive bi-xenon headlamps (standard in the GL 500 4MATIC) adjusts to suit the driving situation and weather conditions 
Above all, it extends the range of the low-beam headlamps by up to ten metres on rural roads and by up to 50 metres on the highway. 
It also helps the driver in fog, by providing better illumination of the inner half of the road, thus reducing self-dazzling. 
The cornering light function and the active light function complete this useful system of lights. 

PRE-SAFE® system an important standard feature
Depending on the driving situation, the system can initiate measures for preventive occupant protection when it detects dangers. Such measures include reversible belt tensioning and automatic closing of the open side windows or optional tilting/sliding sunroof. 
The all important information is provided by then sensors of various systems such as Brake Assist or ESP®, which can register critical driving situations like understeering, oversteering or emergency braking.

For the driver, front passenger and rear passengers on the outer seats, 3-point seat belts with belt tensioners and belt force limiters come as standard. 
The seat belts on the front seats also include a new feature known as a belt buckle tensioner.  If this is activated, the seat belt strap for the driver and front passenger is automatically pulled tight at the start of every journey, without making it any less comfortable to wear.

The crash-active NECK-PRO head restraints improve protection for the occupants and help to reduce the risk of whiplash injury. 
During a rear-end collision the head restraints are pushed forwards by around 40mm and upwards by 30mm, thereby providing support for the heads of the front seat occupants at an early stage. 
The flexible side bolsters on the NECK-PRO luxury head restraints provide additional lateral support for the head, whilst increasing seating comfort at the same time.

The interior of the GL also boasts six airbags which can help avoid injuries in case of a collision. 
Passenger protection includes two front airbags with two-stage deployment, depending on the severity of the accident.
The GL-Class also has sidebags in the front seat backrests for the driver and front passenger, plus two large windowbags extending over each of the total of three seat rows. 

Multimedia systems
The GL offers an entire programme of entertainment as standard. 
The COMAND APS multimedia system combines a radio, MP3 player with a hard-disc navigation system including high-resolution map display and dynamic route guidance and shows all the information needed on a 6.5-inch colour display.  The DVD drive, including video and audio DVDs also plays CDs and MP3 files.
There is 4GB of memory on the hard-disc drive for audio files in MP3 or WMA format and also included is a SD memory card slot and Aux-in connection. 
All major functions of COMAND APS can also be called up via the voice-operated control system LINGUATRONIC.

The Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system is standard on the GL 500 4MATIC and an option for the GL 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY model. 

Equipped with twelve loud-speakers, including a subwoofer, and a 9-channel sound amplifier with a digital signal processor (DSP), this Dolby Digital 5.1 system has an output of 610 watts, bringing you first-class acoustics. 
3D surround sound together with speed-dependent volume control ensures constant listening pleasure.

Assistance systems
Assistance systems provide added comfort in the GL-Class. 
Parking is made easy thanks to the standard PARKTRONIC parking aid that helps the driver when parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces. 
The system works according to the echo-sounder principle;  a total of ten sensors send out ultrasound signals which are reflected by other vehicles or obstacles.

Available as an option, the reversing camera, also makes parking easier. 
Its wide-angle lens is installed below the handle in the tail end.  The reversing camera is automatically switched on when reverse gear is engaged, and shows in the COMAND display exactly what it detects in the area immediately behind the vehicle. 

Space
The generous dimensions of the GL-Class, with a length of 5 099mm and a width of 1 920mm and a height of 1 840mm, forms the basis for an exemplary load compartment. 
With three rows of seats there is 360 litres of space. 
With the 3rd row of seats fully folded an impressive 1 240mm and with both the 2nd and 3rd seat rows fully folded down (electrically), this makes for a maximum load compartment capacity of 2 200 litres. 
The standard EASY-PACK tailgate system opens and closes electro-hydraulically and can be halted in any intermediate position. 

Wheels
For those customers’ requiring an even more exclusive appearance, the optional new high-sheen 21-inch 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels are available for both model variants. 
The 10 x 21 ET 37 dimensions and the 295/40 R 21 tyres on these striking light-alloy wheels become even more eye-catching with the powerful wheel-arch flaring on the front and rear.

Both the GL 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the GL 500 models come standard with four light-alloy wheels with 5-twin-spoke design and fitted with 8.5J x 20 ET 56 tyres 275/50 R 20. 
Also on offer as an option at no additional cost are light-alloy wheels, 5-spoke design with 8.5J x 19 ET 56 tyres R 19. 

The mini-spare run-flat wheel is standard equipment.

An external spare wheel carrier with full size spare wheel is available as an accessory for those requiring a full-size spare wheel.

Prices at a glance:

GL 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY            R860 000   
GL 500                                                     R990 000

Price incl. VAT     
 
The MobiloDrive 120 maintenance contract is available standard on all Mercedes-Benz Passenger cars including the GL-Class