GL550 on the way
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
GL550 on the way
According to Automotive News' (Feb 12 print edition) MBUSA announced to dealers in Las Vegas last week that the GL will receive the 550 engine later this year. Will it be an '08 model? Doesn't say.
The article also went on to say that the R Class would get some unspecified changes also.
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The article also went on to say that the R Class would get some unspecified changes also.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150
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From: San Diego
'08 SL55
According to Automotive News' (Feb 12 print edition) MBUSA announced to dealers in Las Vegas last week that the GL will receive the 550 engine later this year. Will it be an '08 model? Doesn't say.
The article also went on to say that the R Class would get some unspecified changes also.
Sub required
The article also went on to say that the R Class would get some unspecified changes also.
Sub required
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
I heard from my dealer yesterday that the 550 will be approximately $10k more...i would imagine it would include a few options as standard but it's gonna be terrible at fuel consumption-i know there are some of you out there who don't mind that and are only looking for power, so it's great news for you all.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Southern California
S600TT, R350
GL550 will be out in July 2007 as MY2008.
It will be rated very close to 380HP/380TQ.
I would not be surprised if 0-60 will be in high5s and 1/4 mile in low 14s.
Fuel economy should not suffer too much.
I will post more data as it becomes available.
It will be rated very close to 380HP/380TQ.
I would not be surprised if 0-60 will be in high5s and 1/4 mile in low 14s.
Fuel economy should not suffer too much.
I will post more data as it becomes available.
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From: Oakville, ON
'12 ML350
I wonder if the GL550 (assuming that's the nomenclature they'd give it) will effectively be the alternative to the GL63, which I've heard they won't be building - especially given the estimates quoted by Vadim.
For our purposes, the GL450 would probably fit the bill fine given the interior capacity and the already decent 7,500 lbs. towing capacity with the class IV hitch. But as the saying goes: if power corrupts, then absolute power corrupts absolutely!
For our purposes, the GL450 would probably fit the bill fine given the interior capacity and the already decent 7,500 lbs. towing capacity with the class IV hitch. But as the saying goes: if power corrupts, then absolute power corrupts absolutely!
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I knew it! It was just a matter of time. I'm betting on standard leather, more wood trim and some of the GL450's options will be standard. It would be nice if they made Nappa leather and the wheels from the Premier edition standard.
M
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
According to Automotive News' (Feb 12 print edition) MBUSA announced to dealers in Las Vegas last week that the GL will receive the 550 engine later this year. Will it be an '08 model? Doesn't say.
The article also went on to say that the R Class would get some unspecified changes also.
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The article also went on to say that the R Class would get some unspecified changes also.
Sub required
M
Last edited by Germancar1; Feb 16, 2007 at 01:10 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
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From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
I was debating this issue last month (i.e. whether to wait for the GL550 or just go ahead and order the GL450). From everything I have read (i.e. going to the European MB website) the 0-60 times for the 550 are about .7 seconds faster than the 450 which I am not sure what that would equate to in quarter mile times. The top speeds of both are pretty close if that matters (I don't plan on going 140 mph). My dealer also said the 550 would be about $10,000 more than the 450 and she was not sure if anything else was going to be included as standard on the 550. For me, an extra $10,000 for 50 more horsepower and .7 seconds faster 0-60 is just not worth it (unless something else is being included with the 550 over the 450). Just my opinion... But then again if money is no object get the 550........
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Yeah they'll have to offer more standard equipment, not just the bigger engine to justify the premium over the GL450. Kinda like the way the old S430 and S550 were or the new S450 vs the S550, bigger engine always nets more standard equipment in a MB lineup.
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From: California
S55, ML350
gl550 is already out, check the japanese mb website (hint: you can view it in english) it has the new v8 from the s550, its the reason I got my 450 on a 2 year lease, i'll be ready to trade up soon...
btw, did I read that post right about it being an alternative to the 63?!? What do a 550 and 63 have in common? Other than they are both v8's
btw, did I read that post right about it being an alternative to the 63?!? What do a 550 and 63 have in common? Other than they are both v8's
Last edited by mrademacher; Feb 20, 2007 at 05:03 AM.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
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From: CA
However, GL420CDI is something I want to look into when it becomes available. As far as the price goes, GL420CDI will be more expensive then GL550, right?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
This was my original thinking but I can't imaging going any faster with two kids in the car. I am happy with the way GL450 performs and if the price is right at the end of the lease, I might just purchase the current GL450 However, GL420CDI is something I want to look into when it becomes available. As far as the price goes, GL420CDI will be more expensive then GL550, right?
However, GL420CDI is something I want to look into when it becomes available. As far as the price goes, GL420CDI will be more expensive then GL550, right?
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 352
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
Is the 4.6 liter headed for extinction?
If MB offers both a GL450 & a GL550 I can't help wondering what the strategy will be with the ML & R. Some time back my salesman told me that the 5.5 liter would replace the old 5 liter in all applications. If this is true then the GL will be the only vehicle with the 4.6 liter-and the 4.6 liter will only be offered in a few markets. It hardly seems practical to offer an engine on such a limited basis and I wonder if the 4.6 will be available for very long. It also hard to see MB offering 4-6 different engines in their trucks for very long. When I bought my GL450 I thought that the 4.6 might be discontinued in time with an attendant decline in resale value, but I did not want to wait and I found the new X5 extremely disappointing. I'll be happy if the 4.6 stays around for a few years but I don't see the logic.
Last edited by nantucketsleigh; Feb 20, 2007 at 09:15 PM.
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From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
In a car such as the GL, which is meant to compete with Range Rover, obviously, they could't give the thing a regular 350 engine (v6) and expect to do any good sales or image wise. Instead they start with a pretty incredible small v8, and tweak it till it sings. Thats the equivalent to the v6 in another model's range. Next came the slightly downmarket diesel v6, made up for by the incredible torque factor. So, to go upmarket, logically they'll bring the 550 out this coming year.
meanwhile (if it ever arrives) me and my long-term relationship GL320 are going to be getting along fabulously-i'm even going to go on and buy the extended warranty up front b/c i am so enamoured.
meanwhile (if it ever arrives) me and my long-term relationship GL320 are going to be getting along fabulously-i'm even going to go on and buy the extended warranty up front b/c i am so enamoured.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I agree Carpersn. That is exactly it. The smaller V8 will be around for a while because of the S450 too. That said the smaller V8 is now going to be limited like others have said because the hp race demands the larger V8 from MB be the main engine for most classes. Years ago in another time and place you had to buy an S/SL/CL to get the top V8 while the E,CLK,ML all stuck with the smaller V8s, the 275hp 4.3L in the old days of my ride.
I expect the GL550 to be a 80K+ vehicle when loaded up, even though it will have more standard equipment than the GL450, base price being around 65K or so, IMO.
M
I expect the GL550 to be a 80K+ vehicle when loaded up, even though it will have more standard equipment than the GL450, base price being around 65K or so, IMO.
M
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 352
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
So the ML will have a 5.5 and a 6.3 and the GL will havea 4.6 and a 5.5? MB trucks will have 6 engines (3 gasoline V8's 2 diesel V6's & 1 gasoline V6) - it seems like a lot of engines. Unless replacement parts are fully interchangeable, MB bean counters aren"t going to be happy.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Well Mercedes builds a jillion different versions of everything else anyway so it really won't matter. In fact the ML/GL/R are limited in engine choices compared to say an E-Class or C-Class. Pluse all those engines (except the diesels) are used in nearly every other MB in production so the cost is spread way out.
M
M
