Edmunds Short review of GL550
08-20-2007, 11:58 AM
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Edmunds Short review of GL550
Below is a short article reviewing the GL550 (Idaho cars)...she sounds like she likes it
8/8/07 McCall, Idaho
The first modern Mercedes-Benz SUV (not counting the '70s-era Gelaendewagen), the M-Class, was born in 1997. In fact, I remember the weekend I test drove it on Long Island. I wore a leather jacket, jeans and a lace blouse. I thought it was the right outfit for those wheels. And everywhere I went people stared. No one had ever seen a Mercedes SUV before. I was also new to the car biz. So, driving the Mercedes SUV when it was HOT OFF THE LOT was just about the closest thing to bliss I could imagine. I was also new to the language and dynamics of cars. I admit—torque, horsepower and suspension were just words to me. I only understood one thing. This wasn’t just any ride.
Now I know a lot more about how things work and I still have to say that there is something about driving a Mercedes that makes me feel like I was born to drive.
This time I was in McCall, Idaho skimming along stunning roads surrounded by blond furry mountains, streams that looked like they were laughing and gurgling, lakes that were so still you could see your face in them and a postcard blue sky with puffy white clouds. You get the idea…it was perfect.
Ok, I said skimming along….and that was intentional. Because this time I was in the second modern Mercedes SUV, the GL-Class (unless you count the R-Class luxury wagon as an SUV... we don't). The 335-hp GL450 and the diesel GL320 CDI arrived last year, and this M-B has added the GL550 to the lineup. The GL550's V8 engine turns out a hefty 382 hp and 391 lb.-ft of torque -- enough to crank up on mountain roads and tow 7,500 pounds of horse or boat. Let’s just say that I was driving along at speeds that would make my mother-in-law angry if I told her—but, truth is, who would know because it felt so darn smooooth.
And on the outside, AMG styling for 2008 pumps up the chrome with bumper styling that looks like it was hand tooled, running boards that are at the perfect height to step on (and also look gorgeous enough to tile a house in), square (!!) exhaust tips and 19” 5-spoke AMG wheels. Yummm….
The interior—burl walnut, leather and chrome, heated leather seats, BIG cupholders, a sunroof. OK, stop it Holly. Enough already. Well, what can I say? It fit me just fine. The price? $76,975 -- to start.
8/8/07 McCall, Idaho
The first modern Mercedes-Benz SUV (not counting the '70s-era Gelaendewagen), the M-Class, was born in 1997. In fact, I remember the weekend I test drove it on Long Island. I wore a leather jacket, jeans and a lace blouse. I thought it was the right outfit for those wheels. And everywhere I went people stared. No one had ever seen a Mercedes SUV before. I was also new to the car biz. So, driving the Mercedes SUV when it was HOT OFF THE LOT was just about the closest thing to bliss I could imagine. I was also new to the language and dynamics of cars. I admit—torque, horsepower and suspension were just words to me. I only understood one thing. This wasn’t just any ride.
Now I know a lot more about how things work and I still have to say that there is something about driving a Mercedes that makes me feel like I was born to drive.
This time I was in McCall, Idaho skimming along stunning roads surrounded by blond furry mountains, streams that looked like they were laughing and gurgling, lakes that were so still you could see your face in them and a postcard blue sky with puffy white clouds. You get the idea…it was perfect.
Ok, I said skimming along….and that was intentional. Because this time I was in the second modern Mercedes SUV, the GL-Class (unless you count the R-Class luxury wagon as an SUV... we don't). The 335-hp GL450 and the diesel GL320 CDI arrived last year, and this M-B has added the GL550 to the lineup. The GL550's V8 engine turns out a hefty 382 hp and 391 lb.-ft of torque -- enough to crank up on mountain roads and tow 7,500 pounds of horse or boat. Let’s just say that I was driving along at speeds that would make my mother-in-law angry if I told her—but, truth is, who would know because it felt so darn smooooth.
And on the outside, AMG styling for 2008 pumps up the chrome with bumper styling that looks like it was hand tooled, running boards that are at the perfect height to step on (and also look gorgeous enough to tile a house in), square (!!) exhaust tips and 19” 5-spoke AMG wheels. Yummm….
The interior—burl walnut, leather and chrome, heated leather seats, BIG cupholders, a sunroof. OK, stop it Holly. Enough already. Well, what can I say? It fit me just fine. The price? $76,975 -- to start.
08-20-2007, 12:29 PM
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2001 BMW 540i/6-speed, 2008 GL550
Good find, NJ. It will be interesting to see the 0-60 times. MB quotes 5.6 seconds for the ML550, and we know this is likely to be conservative.
08-20-2007, 12:59 PM
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My S does 5.4, so add a little for the weight and 4x4 drive and I think close to 6 will be good...
08-20-2007, 01:57 PM
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2001 BMW 540i/6-speed, 2008 GL550
08-20-2007, 03:19 PM
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19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
NJ I saw this article about a week ago... Sorry I didn't post it before you.. I'll try and share more in the future.. Seems like the chic in the review dug the ride.. Can't wait for a real review by someone like C&D.
