cookstar

I am happy to announce that the gas Hungary GL450 will be long gone come 2015 and will be replaced by a turbo 6 engine developing the same 362 hp and 406 lb-tq as the current v8. I am quite interested to know how to fuel economy is on the V6 and what performance numbers the v6 churns out. The GL450 accounts for less than 10% of GL sales in Canada according to my sales rep so it wont be missed. The turbo 6 will be a huge game changer in Canada at least where the V8's are almost never seen.

http://www.benzblogger.com/2014/03/2...v-updates.html

Correction from original post, the new v6 engine will have the same power as the outgoing v8 but with improved fuel economy of a v6. It looks like the same engine that will go into the ML and C-class but tuned differently for a higher output.

JimBarnhart

Interesting, I would have said a V6 in a big SUV like the GL is underpowered, kind of like V6's in pickup trucks.

Ah_gl450

Isn't that what the previous GL450 x164 had in terms of power?

Mbenz260e

Interesting information. Sad to see no V-8 option really on the ML or E going forward unless you want an AMG car.

Also interesting 21% of GLs are diesel in the USA now, seems high compared to what I see around town.

G63s outselling G500s makes sense I guess...

cookstar

I think the v8 in the GL450 right now is really underpowered for a twin turbo vehicle, at the very least they should have put the same 402 hp you get on the E550 into it. The GL450 has the same engine as the 2014 S550 which makes 455 hp and 516 lb-tq and can easily get over 500 hp with a tune without breaking anything, I imagine MB will keep this power-plant around for a long time instead of a completely new engine. gotta love turbos.

Dalema

Bummer, I'm disappointed - it will no longer be possible to get 550 power at a 450 price and the small cost of a tune.

Is this a definite for the US?

BlownV8

I seriously doubt it is the case for the US. If they did, it would be suicide.

aeggroup

I like it. GL is not a race car and twin turbo V6 will be enough IMO. Look at Range Rover. They did the same thing and I have not heard anybody complains.
if you want V8 power in US - I think you still can get GL550.

emilner

Just curious- Why would you get a gas v6 over a diesel? The diesel is quiet, powerful and gets amazing mileage....

Mbenz260e

Good question, misconceptions about modern diesels I guess? People argue maintenance may be more?

Only negative for me is that the pumps with diesel are sometimes hard to get at busy stations and the diesel fuel quality can be suspect...

emilner

I haven't had any issues locally, it seems more and more stations are carrying diesel. Plus I get to go 500+ miles between fillups, making it so worth it. I think misconceptions are the main problem, I can't get over how much smoother and quieter this truck is than my ESV...

Ah_gl450

It more probably because there is a shortage on the diesel. I couldn't find any with the options I wanted. and the build was taking too long.

aeggroup

I prefer diesel and I totally agree with you it's better choice than gas, but at the time I was getting my GL - diesel was not available for leasing at any price and to purchase - I'd need to wait about 2-3 months. So for me it's more freedom which model to get. If I buy - I would get diesel and wait for it, but if I need a car right now - I can lease gasoline and have almost the same fuel economy.

joe0816

From my perspective in the midwest US, it is fairly hard to find diesel in the suburbs. When you can, it is generally at an older station where the deisel pump looks like people have spit on it for years before you got there.

I also don't get the obsession with deisel economy. If I drive the GL for 100,000 miles, the total amout of gas I will put in is around $20k. The savings versus that $20k is dwarfed by the $100k price tag of the vehicle. So, when I look at total in of $120k versus $118k plus hassle of finding quality diesel, why bother?

infamily

plus hassle of finding quality diesel, why bother?[/QUOTE]

Not sure what part of Midwest you are in, I am in Mn and finding quality diesel has never been a problem and easily available in every neighborhood. I understand your math on fuel cost savings, but sometimes it not only about dollars. It is about the fantastic rumble of diesel, it is about driving 600 miles without needing to stop for gas, it is about torque etc etc.

emilner

I find we are saving nearly 50% on our fuel costs compared to our previous ESV (I know it's not an exact comparison). For me the more important thing is the range- the truck just keeps going without having to stop for fuel! The power is on par above 20mph with our ESV so I couldn't be happier (plus the 350 costs less than the 450).

cookstar

Benz Blogger is based in Atlanta, its for the U.S for sure according to the site.

cjaredscott

Personally, I don't like the idea of a less-powered V6. I hope I can get my hands on a GL550 this time (when I went to purchase the car they had one GL. No other ones that they could grab from another dealer either).

joe0816

I am in Kansas City. Perhaps further north there is more availability as the diesel seems to make more sense in colder climates. Down here, you would have to search for a diesel pump and I know none of the places I usually fill have it.


I can understand the torque and rumble. If you enjoy that, that is what you should get. Buying a car at this price point is not about need; it is about what make you happy. I just don't get why so many people go on and on about the economy.

emilner

I think it is more related to the range of the vehicle. I love being able to run up to our lake house and back (119 miles each way), and then drive for another week and a half before needing to fill.

JimBarnhart

Not sure what part of Midwest you are in, I am in Mn and finding quality diesel has never been a problem [/QUOTE]

The only thing us diesel driving Minnesotans have to worry about is when the enact to 20% biodiesel mandate it will void our warranties unless MB changes their policy. It was supposed to go in effect 2 summers ago, but hasn't yet.

cookstar

In my original post I mentioned that the power output would be the same as the new C-class, this was false, the power output is the same as the current v8.

aeggroup

a330captain

I just don't get why so many people go on and on about the economy.

So don't read this as I'm going on and on.

I have 2500 miles on my 2014 last tank 580 miles with 2.5 gal left when I filled up.
I would like to pass on that talking with a BP engineer in IL. he advised me that the fuel in my area is 100% diesel. Not blended, nada, 0, this may not be true every where.

Take a look at there warrantee on there site about bad fuel. Save your receipts to prove purchase. He sits next to guy in the office that pays the claims and there are some but very few.

Im buying BP as a personal choice.

JimBarnhart

Hmm, I'm not in Illinois, but have been following the biodiesel issues.

Here's a thread over in the diesel forum that might be helpful. The way I understand it is if an Illinois station puts in biodiesel of >10% they get a state tax break, which allows them to have a lower price/more profit.

https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-fo...-question.html