We bought a 2007 GL450 last night in pewter. It is a beauty! Does anyone know what the "GL" in GL450 stands for? I have a 6-month-old black SL500 and I know SL stands for "sport light," but I can't figure out what the GL would mean. It definitely isn't "light." (The SL really isn't light anymore, either.)

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Sue’s 2006 SL500
European Delivery February 2006

Maybe "Geländewagen Luxus"?

I admit not to not knowing too much about merc history, but I always thought that the SL stood for Saloon Long wheelbase?

Nope, SL is (or at least originally WAS) for Sport Light.

"Geländewagen Lange"???

Geländewagen, Leicht.

M

What does that translate to in English?

On edit:

Terrain Vehicle, Long = Geländewagen Lange

Wasn't the GL originally the replacement for the G-class? So GL is the "long wheelbase" version of the "new" G....or something like that.

Bax

Ya what he said.

Nope.

Leicht means light or lightweight, but the GL surely isn't that light.


IMO GL stands for Geländewagen, luxuriös (off-road wagon, luxurious), just like Wolfgang said.

Maybe it is a rip off of those milk ads...
Got Luxury?

LOL J/K

I would say that until someone finds it officially, it stands for what I originally posted. The GL was intented to replaced the original G, but then they changed their mind and had to come up with something else. GL or Gelandewagen Light is just that relative to the original G. Also no modern Benz that uses the "L" in its name for Leight is lightweight so that descpription hasn't been correct in years. The SL certainly isn't lightweight neither is the CL. Relative to the G, the GL is pounds and capability. That is why the new small SUV will be the GLK. Gelandewagen Leight Short, i.e. an even smaller, lighter version of the original G.

M

G500
overall length/wheelbase: 185.6"/112.2"
curb weight: 5,545 lbs.

GL450
overall length/wheelbase: 200.3"/121.1"
curb weight: 5,249 lbs.

Length seems more significant. The weight difference is impressive largely because of the length difference.

True, but the length will be even more of an issue when they do the GLK. I think they mean light in the case of the GL as in light being a lesser version of the G, not physically lighter in weight. All speculation of course.

M

Is the CL the "light" version of the C-Class, then?

"Luxus" appears more appropriate?

Nope it is a light coupe, supposedly of course. The C for the C-Class is for "Kompact" as I understand it. C is for Coupe in CL, CLK, CLS. Makes a bumch of sense doesn't it...lol?

M

Haha. Sorry for digging this out. GL stands for Good Luck and model number stands for how many repairs it will take for it to eventually run properly.
so mine GL350 hoping that previous owner did 347 already and I'm left with those 3 last problems haha

This has to be the most logical explanation so far!