The big daddy of Mercedes SUVs, the 2013 GL Class, was unveiled today at the 2012 New York Auto Show. Worldwide, the 2013 Mercedes GL will be available in two versions: the GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and the GL500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY. The United States market will also get the GL450 and the GL550. The 2013 Mercedes GL350 is powered by a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, which develops 240 hp at 3,600 rpm and 455 lb-ft at 1,600-2,400 rpm. The GL450 and the GL550 are powered by an 8-cylinder turbocharged engine with outputs of 362 hp and 429 hp respectively. The top of the range 2013 Mercedes GL500 comes with all-wheel-drive and it's powered by a 4.7-liter V8 petrol engine, which spits out 408 hp between 5,000 rpm and 5,750 rpm and 600 Nm of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,750 rpm.
Mercedes' 2013 GL500 is able to get from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 5.9 seconds. Its top speed however, is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). The full engine specifications of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL are available lower down this page.
In comparison to the previous version of the Mercedes GL, the 2013 version comes with several exterior and interior design changes. The 2013 GL's restyled elements include the headlights, which now have integrated LEDs, the LED fog lights, and the front apron, which is now much more aggressive looking.
At the rear, the new Mercedes GL (2013) shows new taillights, and a re-designed bumper, with wide air outlets. The exhaust pipes are now hidden behind the rear apron.
The 2013 Mercedes GL's interior has also underwent several modifications. Its center console, steering, instrument cluster and seats have all been re-designed.
As you would expect from a Mercedes product, the 2013 GL Class comes with a range of technological innovations made to make life easier and safer behind its steering wheel. These new systems include the Crosswind Assist, the STEER CONTROL steering assistance system, the load recognition and the COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST (CPA). Optionally, the 2013 Mercedes GL can be equipped with the Active Lane Keeping Assist and the Blind Spot Assist systems, as well as a parking package with a 360-degree camera.
The 2013 Mercedes GL's price list has not been announced yet. However, Mercedes says it will go on sale in September 2012 in the United States, and in early 2013 in the UK. All the details and specifications of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class can be found here.
2013 Mercedes GL engine specifications:
Europe / UK :
Model Cyl. cc kW/hp at rpm Nm from rpm 0-100 km/h (s) Vmax km/h l/100 km NEDC combined CO2 g/km
GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 6 2987 190/258 3800 620 1600-2400 7.9 220 7.4-8.0 192-209
GL 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY 8 4663 300/408 5000-5750 600 1600-4750 5.9 250 11.3-11.6 262-269
United States of America:
Model cyl. cm³ hp @ rpm lb-ft @ rpm 0-60 mph (s) top speed mph
GL350 BlueTEC 6 turbo 2,987 240 @ 3,600 455 @ 1,600-2,400 8.3 (est.) 130
GL450 8 turbo 4,663 362 @ 5,000-6000 406 @ 1,500-4,000 6.2 (est.) 130
GL550 8 turbo 4,663 429 @ 5,250 516 @ 1,800-3,500 5.5 (est.) 130
2013 Mercedes GL Equipment:
New Standard Feature Highlights:
- COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
- ATTENTION ASSIST
- Crosswind Stabilization
- Central COMAND controller
- Electromechanical steering
- Direct-injection twin-turbo gasoline V8 engines
- Color instrument cluster display
New Optional Feature Highlights:
- Multi-color Ambient Lighting
- PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
- Active Curve System
- On- and Off-Road Package
- Surround View Camera
- Driver Assistance Package
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist
- Power EASY-ENTRY second row
- Panorama roof
