Sales Release Of The Mercedes-Benz GL Class

To all my European readers that have been longing for a slice of the American mega-SUV pie, your wait is finally over.

Sales of the all-new Mercedes GL Class are officially kicking off today, so head down to your local Mercedes sales and service outlets and jump on the bandwagon that's taken middle-class American families by storm.

I'm not going to go into the specifics of the different GL models, due to the fact we've already published several stories relating to that very topic (which you can find here, here, here, and here), but I have added the starting prices of all the GL models, which you can find directly below.

And now, without further ado:


1) GL 320 CDI - €63,684*

*not specified as to whether or not price includes VAT


2) GL 420 CDI - €79,460*

*incl. VAT at 16%; net price is €68,500


3) GL 450 - €77,604*

*incl. VAT at 16%; net price is €66,900


4) GL 500 - €85,898*

*incl. VAT at 16%; net price is €74,050 net


And there you have it. For more info on the sales of the release of the new Mercedes GL-Class, check out the full press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Sales release of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: First class on and off-road from €63,684

Stuttgart, Feb 24, 2006

Mercedes-Benz is entering the market for luxury sports utility vehicles with the GL-Class. Prices for this premium off-roader with the comfort of a deluxe saloon car start at €63,684 for the GL 320 CDI.

Customers wishing to buy the multi-talented GL, which can optionally seat up to seven people, are now able to place their orders at the company's sales and service outlets. The tried-and-trusted V6 diesel in the GL 320 CDI delivers 165 kW/224 hp, while its ample 510 Newton metres of torque are on tap across a wide range of engine speeds. Despite all this power, the engine only burns 9.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. In the GL 420 CDI, available from €79,460 (incl. VAT at 16%; net price is €68,500), the re-engineered V8 diesel boasts four valves per cylinder and twin turbochargers with variable nozzle turbines and provides highly spirited performance. Its torque peaks at an imposing 700 Newton metres and it generates an output of 225 kW/306 hp. Both diesel units come with a zero-maintenance particulate filter as standard and comply with the stringent EU4 emissions limits. The GL 500 features a newly developed 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine with a rated output of no less than 285 kW/388 hp and costs €85,898 (€74,050 net). In the GL 450 (costing €77,604, net price €66,900) the V8 powerplant from the same engine family has a displacement of 4.6 litres and generates 250 kW/340 hp. All the engines available for the GL-Class are teamed up with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT as standard.

4MATIC – the permanent all-wheel-drive system from Mercedes-Benz – helps to give the GL-Class superior handling dynamics under any conditions. In con-junction with AIRMATIC, the standard-fit air suspension system, plus the precise speed-sensitive steering and ADS, the Adaptive Damping System which also comes as standard, the generously sized GL (wheelbase 3075 mm) is surprisingly agile. The GL not only cuts a good figure on the road, it also shines as a genuine off-roader. The standard-specification Off-Road Pro engineering package, including reduction gearing, manually engageable rear and inter-axle differential locks and extended height adjustment functionality for AIRMATIC, considerably enhances the car's off-road capabilities. All the features designed to improve grip are further supported by 4ETS, the electronic traction system for all-wheel drive.

Copyright © 2006, DaimlerChrysler AG

Interesting I thought it was going to go on sale here in the U.S. first. Is the GL actually in showrooms or is the classic "order books are open" type deal?

M

The Gasoline V8 models are quit expensive. If this GL is competing with the Audi Q7, it`s price will be a big disadvantage!!
The Q7 will start at $49,900.

I quite like it. But the V8's are no-no for me. The GL320 CDI will deliver the best performance for my needs. In fact, I can see MB dumping in a "GL280 CDI" for Europe. Just a matter of time.