Mercedes GL spied

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Automedia

27th July 2011

Mercedes' range-topping off-roader is receiving some nip and tuck. Our spies spotted the updated GL in Death Valley, Nevada, USA, where it was undergoing a particularly arduous test - pulling a Smart Fortwo in the blazing heat.  

Following on from the new M-Class, the new GL will benefit from revised engines, including an even more powerful and fuel efficient 3.5-litre V6 diesel for the 'entry-level' 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model and a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 for the headline AMG performance version. 

All engines will be hooked up to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic-PLus automatic gearbox and all will come with stop-start and brake energy recovery. The GL350 CDI should return close to 40mpg as a result and emit less than 200g/km of CO2 – a huge improvement over the current car's 30.7mpg and 242g/km. 

Underneath the plastic disguise lies a facelift which will follow cues from the M-Class, while the seven-seater interior will benefit from upgraded quality and tweaks such as a new multi-function indicator stalk, which will be moved up to the 10 o'clock position on the steering column.

In addition, there will be greater levels of standard safety equipment too. Expect this revised model to go on sale in 2012 with an all-new GL, based on a stretched version of the new M-Class platform, is expected to arrive in around two to three years' time.