Mercedes GL-Class
The brand is enriching the segment devoted to luxury all-terrain vehicles.
The German brand is enriching the segment devoted to luxury all-terrain vehicles. Its latest star offering : the Mercedes GL-Class.
A sumptuous Indian summer for Mercedes-Benz which is launching its successor to the legendary G-Class with a more modern design and a “more civilized” look. This SUV for seven passengers offers extraordinary spaciousness and comfort worthy of a luxury sedan. For a ride around town, a trip of several hundred kilometres or a sporty excursion to the country, one travels first class with everyone benefitting from real freedom of movement. If the vehicle is not full, the rear seats can be folded back, all together or individually, at the touch of an electric switch. The passenger compartment thus offers space and refined materials : leather, wood and aluminium, with a dashboard identical to that of the ML-Class.
This is a vehicle both muscular and elegant. It is also dedicated to its passengers’ safety. Autonomous bodywork (with all the advantages that this entails), airbags that adapt to two trigger threshholds at the front, other standard side airbags, also up front (and as options for the middle rows of seats), curtain airbags for the three rows of seats, active “Neck Pro” headrests as options for the driver and his neighbour… Those who don’t want to run any risks at all (unless they’re calculated) will opt for the “Pre-Safe” system. It uses sensors in computer-aided driving systems (ABS, BAS or ESP emergency braking assistance) and optimizes protection of passive safety equipment in situations likely to cause an accident. Often neglected by car manufacturers, protection for pedestrians takes on new meaning with the GL-Class. At the front of the vehicle, areas of free space have been carefully and precisely designed to provide large deflection zones between the bodywork and the mechanical parts it covers. Which ensures a high level of protection for both pedestrians and 2-wheeled vehicles. A plus for this model of imposing stature, which is nevertheless surprisingly agile due to the combination of its pneumatic “Airmatic” suspension, precise parametric steering and an adaptive damping system (ADS).
And what if it’s towing a trailer ? It keeps all its roadholding qualities, thanks to the trailer stabilization system (TSA, part of the electronic stability program, or ESP) which short-circuits dangerous situations early on by performing targetted braking ; the Airmatic suspension automatically corrects the balance. When the GL-Class drives on rough roads, the driver can count on top-notch assistance, especially on downward slopes and when starting off (Offroad ABS). ECE models are fitted with the “Offroad Pro” pack as standard, essential for extreme conditions. The pack comprises a two-speed transfer gearbox with all-terrain reduction and 100 % self-locking differentials for the transfer gearbox and rear axle. The “Airmatic” suspension, modified to handle difficult conditions of use, raises the vehicle’s ground clearance ; fording height then attains 600 mm.
By Cécile Olivéro - photos : press
