TV550

If you have PBS station Motor Week will be doing their video review on the GL 320 CDI this week.

If not here is a link

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2727a.shtml

later this week they should have the video avaliable online. They do a good job with testing cars.

Here is the review for the GL 450.
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2539a.shtml

Danno4x4

Expect a good review...

I watch Motor Week every week, and I have yet to see a review where they have not liked a car they have tested...

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy John Davis, Pat Goss and the crew, but their reviews are pretty vanilla...

It would be interesting to see Top Gear do the test... Last week I heard Jeremy Clarkson discuss a Buick LeSabre: "It was rubbish when it was new, it was built by idiots, and it's rubbish now"

That guy definitely pulls no punches.

StevethePilot

He once drew a map of North America and in place of the U.S. he put "The South Canadian Sea." The man defines xenophobe, but he's still hysterical to watch and so very Americna in his responses to things; doesn't work? Get a bigger hammer!

STP

Danno4x4

Saw the Motorweek review... As expected... It got a great review... They were particularly pleased with how solidly it handled.

0-60 in 8.1 seconds.

One of the interesting parts was their mention of how clean diesel technology is a viable option for green conscious consumers, and how the GL320 was alone in this niche due to its high mileage and ability to carry 7 passengers and heavy duty towing capabilities.

BUT...

Then a little later in very same show, they discussed the report by the the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) of their Greenest and Meanest vehicles report for 2008. The GL 320 is tied for the 2nd meanest vehicle on the road along with a Bugatti Veyron, MZB R320 CDI, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD (with same diesel engine as used in the Mercedes products). The worst score was the VW Toureg V-10 Diesel.

Kind of counter intuitive, don't you think.

StevethePilot

Kind of a typical mucho-greeno response to what's not a "Hybrid" vehicle. The thing puts out less emissions than most passenger cars on the road today, but since it's large, seats more than 4.5 people and can actually tow something (not to mention the idea it might actually go off the road and crush some ants or something), it's "mean." Oh, plus, it's a Mercedes, those nasty German S.O.B.s who produce luxury cars!

STP

Danno4x4

Yea, thats what you get when you try to apply one set of criteria across the board...

You would think that an organization called the "American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy" would focus on efficiency as its primary measure rather than pollution...

I do understand the fact that the current GL is only 45 state legal means that it pollutes more (on paper according to a specific set of rules designed more for gas engines than diesel) than an equivalent Chevy Tahoe Hybrid...

BUT

In terms of energy efficiency, or how much work can you capably accomplish with a given amount of energy, specifically, take a look at mileage per passenger or mileage per lb of GVWR or mileage per lb of towing capacity... In the SUV class, the GL would be near the top.

TV550

I forgot which magazine, I think its Motor Trend or Automobile mag for this month has the Taho Hybrid Vs. the GL 320 and the GL 320 won for mileage and practicality. The Tahoe won for towing capacity.

scottybdiving

Here is another LA Times

I like the last sentence "Green is relative."

Danno4x4

Hmm, thats interesting... The GL is rated to tow 7500 Lbs, while the Hybrid GM SUVs (Tahoe and Yukon) are only rated for 6000 Lbs for my purposes, the Hybrid s would not be able to tow my 6500 Lb rig.

StevethePilot

You know what I just adore about these articles, and thinking like this guy has? No matter what, at no time should you have a vehicle that does more than you need it to do. Well, for that thinking, I guess I need three more vehicles. I need the GL for when I'm taking more than five people (happens when one has two teenagers) on a trip somewhere. So that one I've got. I need another, bigger vehicle (maybe the Excursion?) for when I'm towing a small town somewhere or need to seat 8 plus lots of bags for a gas-guzzling trip somewhere. For the moment, I've got that one as well! Then, I need a sedan (wow, let's go ahead and say a Prius) for when it's just myself, my wife and two kids along. For just myself and the wife or one of the kids, I need a coupe (maybe a M5?). And for just one of me by myself, since I don't ride bikes (sorry, Jen, maybe I should?) it's a single seater. As far as I can tell, that leaves me with Jeremy Clarkson's new favorite car, the Peel P50. (See attached)

So, Mister LA Times, at some point it is possible for someone who is driving a car to not have the exact car they need at the exact time they need it. Now maybe if I wrote that type of "you need to sacrifice for my pet political project" drivel, I'd be able to afford three more cars. Today, that ain't happening.

STP