sprink49

My dealer called me this AM and told me he had a GL on display for two days. Can't sell it but can take orders. I will try to go see today or tommorrow...will take pics and post.

ClayJ

You're too cool. 2nd row and 3rd row seating room (with someone sitting for scale?), and rear cargo areas are my major interests -- if you're asking for requests ( ).

And thanks -- can't wait to see them!

AutoSaurus

Great news! As ClayJ said. Photos of 2nd/3rd rows within passenger for reference would be awesome!

Gotta see if my dealer is going to get one too.

ClayJ

I would guess that all the dealers are going to get one, "for ordering purposes".

And I guess it is confirmed for at least you and me AutoSaurus that the seating area/room is the concern, huh?

HAHAHA!

AutoSaurus

Basically its a dealer breaker for me. If the GL wants to stay on my short list the 3rd row has to be at least as good as the R or better. I think it will be at least equal to the R.

JackStraw

I'm with you AutoSaurus, the third row has to be at least as good as it is in the R. But if there is indeed more storage space behind the 3rd row in the GL than in the R, seating space must be compromised somewhere. I think that the legroom in the 2nd row of the R is reasonably generous, they may have made it less generous in the GL.

I was a little surprised to see that the wheelbase of the GL is shorter than that of the R. I wonder if there will be a long wheelbase version of the GL-- something not quite as large as the Escalade ESV, but bigger than the current GL.

AutoSaurus

Looking at the number I'm thinking the 2nd row has been compromised and storage behind the third row is the same or similar to the R. Look at these photos for comparison. I found the R photos in the this thread .

sprink49

Pics as promised













I crawled all over this vehicle. My impression was that the build quality was typical MB "Tank". The size struck me as like a GMC Envoy/Dodge Durango. I looked at a R class also for comparison and the R seemed to be lager inside but only by 5%+/-. Dealer said they would be available in May. The one I looked at was loaded and I was told it would price out in the low '60's. I appears to be a completely new vehicle from the ground up.

AutoSaurus

Thanks.

And the third row seating position?

looking at the sticker in the seat this is a earlier production model and built mid-January.

ClayJ

Thank you very much, sprink49, you are truly a pal for posting those pics for us.

Looks to me that the cargo capacity is sbustantial - especially with the split, fold-flat seating.

Also looks to me like the 2nd & 3rd row seating is adequate; and may perhaps not be over-generous. This of course would be affected by the position of the seating in front on their adjustment slide-tracks. Just by looking through my collection of interior pics of the GL I would surmise that by adjusting the front row seating to adequate spacing for all but such as NBA players, one should be able to garner adequate legroom in all three rows(!).

And I will state that I am convinced at this point that the difference in wheelbase, and seating, between the GL and the R models is to be found in the leg- or kneeroom of either or both the 2nd & 3rd seating (I have been told that I am a master at stating the obvious... ) -- and that I still have not determined which, or what that means to me in the decision to purchase either vehicle.

Still going to have to go and sit in all three rows of both the R and the GL myself....

AutoSaurus

Just talked to my local rep and he said he should have a demo soon also. His first builds are last decade of March with late April deliveries.

sprink49

I think we have to understand that MB built these vehicles for different buyers and that the GL has advantages over the R in areas of Sport/Utility and The R has advantages over GL as a comfortable, roomy utility people hauler. The GL has more "guts" and is rated to tow 7500 lbs. I don't think the R is designed to tow. I think GL gives up a little interior room to be more utilitarian than the R...IMHO. I like them both...but that white S550...OH MY GOD!!

PaulX608

Thanks a bunch for posting those shots. My wife can't wait to see one. I can already feel my checkbook shuddering, lol. We went and tried the R500. I really liked it, but she likes a lot of headroom for some reason. She likes our 163, and she likes the 164 for that reason. She definitely likes what we've seen so far of the GL. Do you know if they'll have a backup camera available? She seems to like to back into things

AutoSaurus

Yes, its optional.

PaulX608

Thanks, I saw that a few minutes ago in a post by Clay as well. It's definitely looking good for the GL. Can't wait to try one out.

VAHML350

Great Pics!

If they can keep the price point (well equipped) in the upper 50K - low 60K, I think these will start to fly off the dealer lot's

Germancar1

Nice pics of the GL450. I wonder why the U.S. market isn't getting a GL550. I was told by a MB rep at the Chicago auto show that a GL320 CDI would go on sale here in the U.S. this time next year. They think a GL63 AMG is in the works also. Pointless model IMO.

M

ClayJ

USA market gets the GL550, and a diesel or two, and the AMG version - the GL63 or whatever - further on down the road.

The GL450 was just what was at this show.

The Geneva show gets a GL500 (European 'GL550') according to the pre-show releases.

Germancar1

Yeah I'm betting that we'll get the GL550 once they add direct injection to the new V8 like just did to the 3.5L V6.

M

carpersn

Wish they would confirm availability and dates...

c240 kid

they might not make the GL in diesel. but the thing about mercedes is that they are making cars bigger gas guzzlers. the GL63 should be exciting, but they might make it a 65, if not a 63.

but i dont see why not a diesel... we'll just have to see in 2007

ClayJ

They have already said that the diesel will be available in the GL at release in the USA -- that means GL320 and 420 before or during the Summer...at this point in time, in my understanding.

Scoop55

Thanks for the pics, sprink49!! I can't WAIT to check out the GL whenever MB of San Diego gets one. I've been keeping my eyes open ever since I heard about this SUV. I wonder how it will compare to the Volvo XC90 V8? My wife and I test drove it, and it's pretty awesome.

A GL63 under 75K and I might be sold! Probably will be a bit higher, though...

carpersn

Where have you heard this? Most indications are that the diesel is coming, but I have yet to find any info to back that up in print.
Additionally, there is no way they'll release any diesels until the low-sulphur fuel is in a majority of states; it would be stupid on their part, since the government doesn't require until sometime in October, I think...

ClayJ

I looked for what I had in my folders on this. I didn't find anything definative.

I think that I was going off of comments made by Ron Mueller, manager of the sport utility and touring division of MBUSA, both before and after the Detroit show; and any number of press releases in general. I also recall a discussion of the Bluetec low-sulfur fuel work-around....

But nothing definative. So perhaps you are correct in assuming that there will be a delay in the diesel-powered GL's being available here in the States.

I do believe that they are going to begin their super-marketing push in about a month, and I am sure that we will hear more concerning diesel availability as actual in-the-dealership availability nears. Personally, that is what I am waiting for: Can I order a diesel? And what will the projected or stated delivery-timeframe be?

Here is an article from a press release on the E320 Bluetec diesel's release here in the USA:

NAIAS 2006 Detroit: DaimlerChrysler to Feature Technology for the Cleanest Diesel in the World
BLUETEC – DaimlerChrysler pioneers a group-wide initiative for diesel with potential for all 50 U.S. states
The Mercedes-Benz E 320 BLUETEC will be launched in fall 2006 in the U.S. as first BLUETEC passenger car
Dr. Dieter Zetsche: “We can offer BLUETEC in all our brands for the benefit of our customers.”

Detroit, Michigan, USA / Stuttgart, Germany, January 08, 2006
The BLUETEC vehicles that DaimlerChrysler will be showcasing in Detroit – the Mercedes-Benz E 320 BLUETEC, the Vision Mercedes-Benz GL 320 BLUETEC, and the Concept Car Jeep® Grand Cherokee BLUETEC – are capable of being the most fuel-efficient and cleanest diesel passenger vehicles in their segments in the U.S. BLUETEC can only achieve its full effect in passenger cars when it is used with diesel fuel that has a sulfur content of less than 15 ppm. Such fuel will further reduce the emissions of diesel vehicles already on the market in the U.S. This low-sulfur diesel has already been introduced throughout Europe and is expected to become available in the U.S. in the fall of 2006. DaimlerChrysler's first BLUETEC passenger car will be the Mercedes-Benz E 320 BLUETEC, which will be launched in the U.S. next fall.

You will notice that this really doesn't say anything definative on the subject of GL diesel-powerplant availability in the USA either....