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Mercedes shows Vision GL420 Concept

Mercedes has been banging the diesel drum for some time now and is keen to showcase its latest Bluetec technology to the American market. It’s even teamed up with rival automakers Volkswagen and Audi to bring Bluetec to the market. To help boost recognition, Mercedes will be showing a modified GL-class SUV at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Under the hood is a powerful V8 diesel engine that develops 216 kW (290hp) and a whopping 700Nm of torque, but still manages to get a fuel economy rating of only 9.8L/100km (24 mpg). With a full tank, the Vision GL420 can travel almost 1000km.

The revised, distinctively sculpted front with the dominant radiator grille sets this GL apart from the others, and is complemented by the flared wings, imposing 21 inch wheels and running boards.

As far as concepts go, the Vision GL420 is as weak as they come. Mercedes has already announced that we’ll see a Bluetec SUV in the near future, and the styling cues may be put into production for a GL-class facelift.

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I love that color. When will they finally have a 50state ready bluetec? Thanks!

Interesting, I wonder if it's made they will also do the bigger grill. They still need a performance diesel to compete with the Q7.

wow that grill is so hot..looks really rugged..should be a option on all GL´s

that looks very much like a pimped escalade
and somehow i don't get the fuss about bluetec, ofcourse US regulations blabla, but there is nothing groundbreaking

Esclade?? I see nothing chromed or pimped about this GL. It`s all about business. And for a vehicle that should weigh in at over 5000lbs. with a 290hp V8 that gets 24mpg might not be groundbreaking to some faners but I know the US will love this machine, those numbers are fricken incredible!!
This is going to be one very fast SUV considering it has 700nm of torque!

Remember Autobild says the BlueTech is 11% more efficient than the Lexus Hybreds.




Far better looking than the Esclade imo..

The Bluetec looks like a mean machine...the Escalade looks like a converted GMC truck (wonder why...:-)))))

As far as a 50 state ready Bluetec in the US...look for sometime in CY 2008 maybe. The government has to approve the catalytic system with the urea and that could be a long term process. The engine is not the problem anymore...it is the urea system that is under scrutiny I think.

lOl Jack, those wheels are kickin` along with the slight flair in the finders..
This package is a tease of what a 525hp GL63 might look like.

The rumors are that there will be no GL63 or AMG...??? If so this may be the horse of the group unless they introduce the GL550 which I feel they have to do.

If that grill is a bit wider maybe it will look better, i still prefer the original grill. This new grill is way too big and it makes the front of the GL even more truck like.