Introduction

Communities from Pacific Palisades to Pompano Beach will quake with enough excitement to register on the Richter scale when word of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class spreads among the nation’s affluent. The debut of the GL-Class brings to four the total of Mercedes-Benz SUVs, from the sport-tourer known as the R-Class to the rough-and-tumble G-Class. After the initial rollout of the new GL450, Mercedes will offer a GL320 version with its new Bluetec diesel engine, which runs on low-sulfur fuel and cuts 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides normally found in diesel exhaust. The Bluetec version will meet air quality standards in California and New England, two of the strictest regions on the planet.

What It Is

This handsome new SUV, a seven-seater built on the same platform as the recently redesigned M-Class, represents the most appealing of the German automaker’s sport-utility vehicles, which range from the odd-looking R-Class sport-tourer on the car side of the equation to the combat-ready G-Glass military vehicle on the truck side. The conservatively-styled GL-Class neatly splits the difference between the wild R- and rugged G-Class models, while allowing its smaller M-Class sibling to serve the style-conscious crowd.

Why It Matters

Originally, the GL-Class was to replace the aged G-Class. But fans of that squared-off, luxed-up military truck made it clear to Mercedes-Benz that the beloved G-wagen should continue in the company’s product lineup. That leaves the 2007 GL450 to serve people who need true 4WD capability combined with space for seven passengers.

What's Under the Hood

A 4.6-liter, 335-horsepower V8 engine powers the 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450, matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels through the company’s 4Matic 4WD system. The GL320 Bluetec will be equipped with a turbo-diesel V6 that gets as much as 25 mpg on the highway while delivering the torque of a traditional V8. The hardware roster also includes a four-wheel-independent suspension, speed-sensitive steering, and 18-inch alloy wheels wearing 265/60 all-season tires. An Airmatic air suspension and adaptive damping shocks are optional. The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is rated to tow up to 7,500 pounds, and if history is any indicator, a Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG is likely arriving in showrooms for 2008 or 2009. For four-wheeling, Downhill Assist Regulation and Hill Start Assist technologies are also standard on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, while an Off-Road package includes a two-speed transfer case, front and rear locking differentials, and an air suspension that can raise the GL-Class an additional 12 inches to create a maximum fording depth of 23 inches.