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Gas is cheap, and the auto industry is booming again. We鈥檙e back to
2006 numbers for the first time since Wall Street pulled off the
biggest pyramid scheme in history. One of the biggest beneficiaries of
this return to bubble-inducing growth spurts? The SUV. But what if you
want to sell SUVs to people who might want SUVs but don鈥檛 really want
SUVs that look like SUVs? You build SUV-like objects in as many flavors
as possible. Objects like the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, a swollen,
bulbous appendage to the Mercedes lineup, built off the new E-sized
range (until recently known as the ML-Class) but with swoopier lines
and cartoon-huge wheels. I recently spent a day wheeling the GLE450 AMG
Sport version on and around the famed 11-mile, 300-plus-turn Tail of
the Dragon. While I can鈥檛 in good conscience say I loved it, I can
see why people would. The GLE is, after all, a new-generation
Mercedes-Benz, which means it can practically drive itself in some
situations. As a mode of transport for four people, the GLE450 works
just fine.
Gas is cheap, and the auto industry is booming again. We鈥檙e back to
2006 numbers for the first time since Wall Street pulled off the
biggest pyramid scheme in history. One of the biggest beneficiaries of
this return to bubble-inducing growth spurts? The SUV. But what if you
want to sell SUVs to people who might want SUVs but don鈥檛 really want
SUVs that look like SUVs? You build SUV-like objects in as many flavors
as possible. Objects like the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, a swollen,
bulbous appendage to the Mercedes lineup, built off the new E-sized
range (until recently known as the ML-Class) but with swoopier lines
and cartoon-huge wheels. I recently spent a day wheeling the GLE450 AMG
Sport version on and around the famed 11-mile, 300-plus-turn Tail of
the Dragon. While I can鈥檛 in good conscience say I loved it, I can
see why people would. The GLE is, after all, a new-generation
Mercedes-Benz, which means it can practically drive itself in some
situations. As a mode of transport for four people, the GLE450 works
just fine.
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Mercedes-Benz is working on a mid-cycle update for its GL-Class that
will see the full-size luxury SUV rebranded a GLS in line with the
automaker鈥檚 latest naming scheme. Like the GL, the new GLS will
feature a high-performance variant developed by Mercedes-AMG, a
prototype for which has been spotted once again. The new performance
variant will be badged a GLS63, and its basic specifications should be
similar to those of the GL63 it will replace. This means a
twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 mated to a seven-speed automatic
transmission and drive going to all four wheels. Peak output in the
GLS63 should match the 550 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque
delivered in the mid-size GLE63 that was just launched on the market.
We may also see a slightly more potent S model this time around. This
potential GLS63 S should match the 577 hp and 561 lb-ft offered in the
GLE63 S, and will almost certainly better the 4.9 seconds it takes the
current GL63 to reach 60 mph. Top speed should remain governed at 155
mph. While there aren鈥檛 expected to be many powertrain mods, the
exterior will receive a substantial makeover. We can already see that
the new GLS range, including this GLS63, will feature a new hood, a
more rounded front end and revised head and tail-lights. We also know
that plusher materials, more electronic driver aids and a more advanced
infotainment system will feature in the cabin. We should have more
details soon, as the updated GLS range is due to be revealed late this
year or early next. The vehicles are expected in showrooms by next
spring, as 2017 models.
Mercedes-Benz is working on a mid-cycle update for its GL-Class that
will see the full-size luxury SUV rebranded a GLS in line with the
automaker鈥檚 latest naming scheme. Like the GL, the new GLS will
feature a high-performance variant developed by Mercedes-AMG, a
prototype for which has been spotted once again. The new performance
variant will be badged a GLS63, and its basic specifications should be
similar to those of the GL63 it will replace. This means a
twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 mated to a seven-speed automatic
transmission and drive going to all four wheels. Peak output in the
GLS63 should match the 550 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque
delivered in the mid-size GLE63 that was just launched on the market.
We may also see a slightly more potent S model this time around. This
potential GLS63 S should match the 577 hp and 561 lb-ft offered in the
GLE63 S, and will almost certainly better the 4.9 seconds it takes the
current GL63 to reach 60 mph. Top speed should remain governed at 155
mph. While there aren鈥檛 expected to be many powertrain mods, the
exterior will receive a substantial makeover. We can already see that
the new GLS range, including this GLS63, will feature a new hood, a
more rounded front end and revised head and tail-lights. We also know
that plusher materials, more electronic driver aids and a more advanced
infotainment system will feature in the cabin. We should have more
details soon, as the updated GLS range is due to be revealed late this
year or early next. The vehicles are expected in showrooms by next
spring, as 2017 models.
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The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is about as much Teutonic luxosheetmetal
(to use a compound German phrase) as you can get on four wheels. At
more than 200 inches in length, the seven-seat SUV has plenty of room
to transport five full-size passengers in comfort, and even some usable
room left over for the kindergartners in the third row. The real
surprise with the GL450 is how much performance technology Mercedes has
packed into it. A phone call and a short drive later, we found
ourselves parked outside Arlequin wine merchants in San Francisco's
trendy Hayes Valley. 7,500 worth of wine. The GL450's automatic
third-row seats tumble forward and fold flat with the press of a button
on either side of the cargo area. With the third-row seats stowed, the
GL450 has 44 cubic feet of cargo room. Unfortunately, there is no
automated system for loading wine into the back, and so it was by the
sweat of our brow that we packed the car with 21 crates of wine of
varying sizes.
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is about as much Teutonic luxosheetmetal
(to use a compound German phrase) as you can get on four wheels. At
more than 200 inches in length, the seven-seat SUV has plenty of room
to transport five full-size passengers in comfort, and even some usable
room left over for the kindergartners in the third row. The real
surprise with the GL450 is how much performance technology Mercedes has
packed into it. A phone call and a short drive later, we found
ourselves parked outside Arlequin wine merchants in San Francisco's
trendy Hayes Valley. 7,500 worth of wine. The GL450's automatic
third-row seats tumble forward and fold flat with the press of a button
on either side of the cargo area. With the third-row seats stowed, the
GL450 has 44 cubic feet of cargo room. Unfortunately, there is no
automated system for loading wine into the back, and so it was by the
sweat of our brow that we packed the car with 21 crates of wine of
varying sizes.
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Full-size SUV has been redesigned with even higher levels of comfort
and new 48V mild hybrid tech. That鈥檚 a swift response! It鈥檚 not
that Mercedes-Benz never had a full-size SUV. In fact, it has been
selling one for over a decade already. But the timing comes nicely for
this third generation model called GLS (previously dubbed GL in the
pre-facelift of the second generation) because it was only last month
that BMW launched its first-ever X7. The GLS has been completely
redesigned with a longer and wider body, as well as sitting on a
platform shared with the smaller GLE. Measuring more than 5m in length
and over 3m between the front and rear axles, the GLS remains a
spacious three-row SUV to stay competitive against the similarly sized
X7. Although the side profile looks a bit like before, the front end is
similarly penned as in the GLE. The interior has been restyled to
accommodate the brand鈥檚 digital screens and MBUX voice control system.
Full-size SUV has been redesigned with even higher levels of comfort
and new 48V mild hybrid tech. That鈥檚 a swift response! It鈥檚 not
that Mercedes-Benz never had a full-size SUV. In fact, it has been
selling one for over a decade already. But the timing comes nicely for
this third generation model called GLS (previously dubbed GL in the
pre-facelift of the second generation) because it was only last month
that BMW launched its first-ever X7. The GLS has been completely
redesigned with a longer and wider body, as well as sitting on a
platform shared with the smaller GLE. Measuring more than 5m in length
and over 3m between the front and rear axles, the GLS remains a
spacious three-row SUV to stay competitive against the similarly sized
X7. Although the side profile looks a bit like before, the front end is
similarly penned as in the GLE. The interior has been restyled to
accommodate the brand鈥檚 digital screens and MBUX voice control system.
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