Trimmer2

I'm on a list for a new Q7 but, the GL is looking more attractive as new information has been coming out. I like the "GeeWiz" of the Audi but, I also really like the Merc. I only see a 4.6 litre 333hp GL450 on the Mercedes Website so, does that mean a GL550 is in line? Any word on a GL63? The Q7 is a 4.2 litre 340hp with the possibility of a V10Tdi with 400+hp maybe in '08

ClayJ

Read the rest of the threads in this GL forum.....

JackStraw

From what I can gather, the third row seating of th GL is considerably more generous than that of the Q7. Neither has much storage space behind the third row, but that might not matter if you aren't transporting 6-7 people. The third row folds down in both if you need more storage.

There will be a 550-- it will be launched about a month after the 450 (I don't know why there is a delay) and I'm sure there will be a 63, just as there will be a an ML63 and an R63.

carpersn

It's interesting to note how many bashers of the GL there have been on this forum so far...could it be that the real target market is the full-size SUV buyer, and that since MB has never had a model to compete, there are none of them reading/writing to these forums!!!

I, for one, have always driven MBs, but with the arrival of children switched one of our vehicles out for the Tahoe/Suburban models for the past few years. I CANNOT wait for the arrival of the GL (am going to NAIAS in Detroit from Charlotte just to see it early)...it is EXACTLY what people will want. Look around you and see all those honking big truck-based fuel suckers out there on the road, and consider that if MB contents this vehicle well (learn from the mistake with the R), and prices it at or just above the Escalade, that people will line up to buy it, PERIOD.

The best feature, IMHO, is that it is a unibody of the same size (basically) as a Tahoe. And another of the best features is that my family will be as safe as possible in it.

The Q7 may sell ok, but is not going to really compete with this given the size differential of the 3rd row. PERIOD!

I know plenty of you will disagree, but remember that you are probably not the target for this vehicle.

rcf8000

I agree that the GL450 should be a big seller, compared to the Escalade and its ilk, unless it's a lot more expensive. I predict that the GL will outsell the R-class, too.

Germancar1

I too noticed that MBUSA has said nothing about a GL550 which should be a no-brainer considering a 403hp Caddy Slade is about to go on sale. Do you guys think the general downturn in large SUVs will blunt the sales/launch of the GL?

Do you guys know when the ML and R will get the new 5.5L V8 or if there will be "450" versions of those too?

My biggest problem with the GL is the interior. It looks just like the ML and that isn't enough to warrant the pricetag MB will likely slap on this thing. Not to mention that the Range Rover has the best SUV interior around, IMO. MB should have spent a few more dollars on a more fitting interior for the GL. We already know the engineering will be sound engine/tranny etc. but the interior just leaves me cold. I won't go into how the styling looks like anysuv.

M

rcf8000

Autoweek said that the USA would be getting the GL450 "initially", and that the Germans would get a GL550 (they called it a GL500, but we know that MB is changing the nomenclature to 550). They also said that there will be a GL63. It wouldn't make sense if the US didn't get all three of these engines eventually. I read somewhere that the GL550 would follow the GL450 by only a few months in the US. I agree that the 550 is needed to compete with the Escalade. The market for these kind of things will be shrinking, imo, so MB needs all the edge that they can get. I also agree that the interior of the ML/GL/R leaves a lot to be desired, compared to my LX470, for example, or the new Escalade, or the Q7. But otherwise, the GL has a lot going for it.

ClayJ

I still want to know if (should be) an AMG version is going to come out on the GL and are they going to do the AMG work here in the USA from pre-produced AMG parts (what are they doing with the ML63? - anyone know?), or if they are going to make the cars here and then ship them all the way back and forth to Germany for the AMG Manufaktur work (highly unlikely!), or if they are going to place an AMG-Lite here in the US for the work -- does anybody have any information on this?
I certainly hope that MBZ will come out with a more upscale interior for the GL. Certainly an AMG GL63 or whatever would have a more refined interior?

rcf8000

From the photos I've seen I think the ML63 interior is going to be essentially the same as any other ML. I wouldn't think the GL63's interior would be any different.

advans

not much a fan of the new GL, kind of a dissappoinment. The Q7 is ehh

I even regret buying my ML, I knew I shoulda went with the Porsche!

but I remember reading abt the GL550, should be coming out in 2008...

they SHOULD make the GL63 ///AMG

JackStraw

The GL550 will be available in 2006, probably late spring or early summer.

They WILL make a GL63 ///AMG, probably available in late 2006 early 2007.

carpersn

Where is the GL320 CDI or the GL 420 CDI? I would buy two if they would make that available.