Pricing and specifications details have been revealed for the new Mercedes GL-Class, and the luxury SUV will start from £59,465 when it goes on sale next year.
An exact launch date has yet to be given but the new GL-Class will start production in January 2013.
Get a FREE quote on your next MERCEDES-BENZ GL CLASS
Click below and save up to 30% on a new MERCEDES-BENZ GL CLASS
The starting price for the new GL-Class makes it more expensive then key rivals with similar power and performance such as the BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport, which currently costs £49,495, and the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 245 SUV which presently starts at £41,440.
The new Mercedes GL-Class features a lengthier standard equipment list that now includes the aggressive AMG body styling. On the exterior, changes to the GL-Class styling include a larger air vent below the front grille, flared wheel arches and two chromed exhaust pipes.
Inside the new GL-Class seven-seater interior now has an AMG sport steering wheel with gear-shift paddles as standard, as well as new sport seats finished in leather and with heating functions for both the front and middle row seats.
The new SUV is also slightly longer and taller than its predecessor, which increases the standard boot capacity by 60 litres pushing the total to 680 litres or 2,300 litres with the second and third row of seats folded.
Across the majority of the range, including the basic GL 350 BlueTEC AMG Sport specification, the GL-Class is powered by a 258bhp 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine. This gives the 4x4 a 0-60mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.
Crucially the new GL-Class is 15 per cent more fuel efficient than the previous model, now returning a combined fuel economy of 35.3mpg, while CO2 emissions are down by 14 per cent to 209g/km in total.
The range-topping GL-Class model, the GL63 AMG, is driven by a 557bhp 5.5-litre V8 turbocharged petrol engine. This unit gives the Mercedes 4x4 a blistering 0-60mph sprint time of just 4.9 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.
The extra performance does inevitably disrupt the green credentials of the GL-Class however; the GL63 specification returns 25mpg on the combined cycle and emits 288g/km.
Joining the AMG body styling on the standard equipment list is 21" alloy wheels, an electric sunroof and a DAB digital radio tuner.
Written by Stephen Goldasz