Benz confirms new GL from $104,000

MERCEDES-BENZ confirmed this week that its US-built GL-class large 4WD wagon will arrive in November, priced from $103,900 for the baseline GL320 CDI turbo-diesel model and $146,900 for the GL500 petrol variant.

A mid-spec GL450 petrol model will follow in the first quarter of 2007.

The GL320 CDI uses a 165kW/510Nm V6 turbo-diesel engine, while the GL500 relies on a 285kW 5.5-litre V8. The GL450 uses a 250kW 4.6-litre V8.

All engines will be fitted standard with Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.

Other standard features of note for Australian vehicles include an Off-road Pro Engineering package (which includes a two-speed transfer case with low-range, and diff locks for the transfer case and rear axle) and modified off-road-oriented Airmatic air suspension. A third row of seats will be optional.