Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2013 News

Now for a small sporty coupe-like SUV from Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz new GL-Class, “serious” off road machine has arrived from the USA factory to take on the likes of Toyota landCruiser, the new Nissan Patrol and the Lexus LX570.The model range includes a diesel --  the established GL 350 BlueTEC and two petrols -- the GL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and a performance model called the GL 63 AMG.Benz pitches the GL-Class as a luxury SUV combining cutting-edge technology and driver assistance systems with high levels of comfort.It's comprehensively equipped with safety and convenience features that provide value to customers in this segment.The big Benz is a handy device in a multitude of different driving conditions right through to rock-hopping, stump pulling mud plugging duties. Then hose it off and cruise down the motorway in luxury.This second generation GL-Class is a more handsome customer than before thanks to its more pronounced frontal look and sleek side style lines. The rear end is also attractive.Though on the huge side, the new GL offers both significant reductions in fuel consumption and improved performance. The GL 350 BlueTEC is equipped with a turbocharged V6 diesel BlueTEC engine and ensures smooth ride comfort while consuming 7.7l/100km (combined).The imposing road presence of the GL 63 AMG is underlined with the 5.5-litre AMG bi-turbo petrol V8 engine, which delivers a maximum output of 410kW and up to 760Nm of torque. It's capable of 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.In the middle is the GL500 offering nearly the same performance as the AMG model but with a softer, more comfortable focus.All variants provide a lavish, spacious interior with dynamic on/off road capabilities along with ease of operation.A host of features are standard on the new GL including 4MATIC all-wheel drive, Easy Pack tail gate, Easy-Entry third row access, Airmatic package with air suspension and Adaptive Damping System, Comand Online, Thermotronic, front and rear automatic climate control, Intelligent Light System, glass electric sunroof with slide/tilt function and an electric parking brake.The new GL-Class also incorporates a host of standard safety equipment such as Attention Assist, Pre-Safe, 360 camera, Distronic Plus cruise with braking, Brake Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.Prices start at $129,900 for the GL 350 BlueTEC.

...the final item with just the mildest tapework to disguise the final details. The front end shares the latest chunky look from the E Class, but the hulking family wagon is much more thuggish with the promise of 3 and 4- litre diesel engines as well as a 5.5-litre petrol V8 in early 2012.

Where manufacturers have previously pursued one environmental solution, most are now embracing multiple strategies to the high-profile problem.GM chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner best summed up the industry's new multi-pronged environmental strategy as energy diversity.He referred to alternate energy sources such as electricity, ethanol, biofuels, compressed natural gas, hydrogen and combinations of these working happily together in the same vehicle.Wagoner says GM will also continue to seek improved efficiency from internal combustion petrol and diesel engines and expand its commitment to electric power.GM will introduce a test fleet of 100 hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles in the US this year and 10 in Europe, he says.Other car companies working on alternate powertrain solutions, such as Kia, also pledged to introduce test fleets, particularly for government evaluation.The first of GM's new energy strategies to be introduced in Australia could be the extension of the Saab Biopower range from the 9-5 to the 9-3 model range, including vehicles running on 100 per cent biofuel.GM has also developed a new cleaner turbo diesel V6 engine which could power the new Holden VE Commodore.Wagoner confirmed that the 184kW 2.9-litre Italian-made engine would be compatible with the VE chassis, but he could not confirm its application in the Australian market. A GM Holden spokesman says the company will consider the engine.Mercedes-Benz has started its push to clean up diesel emissions with a detox system called BlueTec. It is claimed to reduce nitrous-oxides (NOX) from the exhaust by up to 90 per cent compared with previous diesels.The German firm has introduced BlueTec in its upper-luxury E320 sedan in the US market and will follow that up with three more models next year. The E320 and the follow-up R320 people mover, ML320 SUV and GL320 4WD will be released in Europe in 2008 and are expected here later in 2008 or early 2009.Volkswagen showed a Passat and a Polo with the technology, the latter capable of a low 102g of CO2 and greatly reduced NOX.Japanese makers are aggressively pushing hybrids. They are led in this by Lexus, which announced it is making more hybrids combining electric motors with petrol engine models than conventional petrol-fuelled vehicles.Geneva launched the Lexus LS600h luxury saloon that it claims has the power of a V12 with the economy of a V6. It has a V8 petrol engine combined with an electric motor to deliver 327kW. Yet Lexus claims the lavishly-equipped saloon will get an average fuel consumption of only 9.5-l/100km while having a CO2 emission level of less than 220g.Toyota showed a hybrid concept sedan, the Hybrid X, that is more a styling exercise than a mechanical marvel. Then there is the Toyota FT-HS hybrid sports car that combines a 3.5-litre petrol V6 with an electric motor; a car that doesn't ignore performance or style.But while Europe is going diesel and Japan is leaning towards hybrids, there is some blurring of technologies.Honda announced a NOX-depleting system similar to BlueTec and says it will be fitted to its diesel-powered cars. It plans to launch its new diesels within three years, first in the US and later in Europe and Australia.At the same time, Honda says it will make its fuel-cell electric car available to selected buyers by next year, making it likely to be the world's first car maker to make a production fuel cell passenger car.The new Honda, which uses hydrogen gas and air to produce electricity to power electric motors, is based on its long-standing FCX concept vehicle.To keep its feet in all camps, Honda plans to introduce a small-car hybrid that is currently in concept form.The Small Hybrid Sport shows that even hybrids can be fun and sexy.Subaru unveiled its 2-litre turbo-diesel engine that will go into European models later this year but won't come to Australia until at least late 2008. It is Subaru's first diesel and has been devised to improve sales in diesel-crazy Europe.Meanwhile, BMW and DaimlerChrysler have announced they will join forces to create a new hybrid system for the premium car segment.Both companies plan on introducing the new technology into rear-wheel-drive models within the next three years.A BMW spokesman says the technologies will be tailored to fit the specific character of the different vehicles.And, two battery city cars were among the show oddities, including the Zebra which was painted like animal fur.