Three Flavors of Mercedes GL Class
According to Edmunds.com’s editor, Karl Brauer, in the $45,000 and above range, three of the top flavors of SUV are the Mercedes-Benz GL Class.
The lowest version, or I should rather say “versions†starts with the Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI (Controlled diesel injection) and the GL450. The biggest difference here between the two are whether you are into “green” living, or prefer spending it.
The 2008 Mercedes GL320 features a “green†biodiesel 3.0 liter V6 with 24 valves. On the vegetable juice, this beast can still pull 215 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 398 lbs torque at 1,600 rpm while offering about 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Base price on one of these will run on the low side of $50 grand.
The 2007 Mercedes GL450 on the other hand features a hefty 4.6 liter 32 valve V-8 (150 lbs more than the V-6) with 335 horsepower and 339 lbs torque. Toting around its hefty 5,500 lb body, you’ll be lucky to see 15 mpg on average. Although you will be able to reach 0-60 in just over 7 seconds and pull a quarter mile in 16.
The Mercedes GL450 starts at $55,000, but you can find yourself up to $70,000 in no time with just a few pricey options. Such options range from a power tailgate and off-road package ($2200), DVD navigation and ear-seat DVD entertainment ($2650), BlueTooth capability ($4500), climate-control ($1320), dual sunroof ($1500), metallic paint ($700), leather ($1650), rearview camera ($500), and adaptive headlights ($900).
Both the 2008 GL320 and GL450 feature a 7 speed automatic transmission, front and side dual stage air bags, and an optional “parktronic†parking sensor system.
The premium GL of 2008 is however the Mercedes GL550 coming in at around $75,000. With a 5.5 liter 382 horsepower, 392 lbs torque V-8, this Mercedes will at least be able to give the 403 horsepower Cadillac Escalade a run for its money at a stoplight. The GL550 is capable of 0-60 times in the 5 second range and quarter miles in the 15’s.
While the GL550 is basically a beefed up Mercedes GL450, they do throw in a few features to make you feel better about forking over the extra $20 grand. The GL550 comes standard with 21-inch rims, a revamped grill, giant badging, and around $10,000 in Mercedes confidence and a buyer’s necessity to own the best!
All in a days work for Mercedes-Benz!
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:09 am
[…] Eric J. Leech wrote a fantastic post today on “Three Flavors of Mercedes GL Class”Here’s ONLY a quick extractAccording to Edmunds.com’s editor, Karl Brauer, in the $45000 and above range, three of the top flavors of SUV are the Mercedes-Benz GL Class. The lowest version, or I should rather say “versions†starts with the Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI … […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 am
[…] lilaliss wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAccording to Edmunds.com’s editor, Karl Brauer, in the $45000 and above range, three of the top flavors of SUV are the Mercedes-Benz GL Class. The lowest version, or I should rather say “versions†starts with the Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI … […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 am
[…] Flavors of Mercedes GL Class lilaliss wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAccording to Edmunds.com’s editor, […]
April 20th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
[…] three of the top flavors of SUV are the Mercedes-Benz GL Class. The lowest version, or I should rathhttp://www.banks.com/blogs/auto/2008/03/03/three-flavors-of-mercedes-gl-class/Carmelo leads Nuggets to 50th win, matchup with Lakers USA TodayCarmelo Anthony appreciated the […]