We reported in detail when Mercedes-Benz India rolled out the first locally assembled GL-Class from its Chakan plant in Pune yesterday. Now, here we have all the details of the ‘assembled-in-India’ GL Class, along with detailed pics, to give you a fair idea about the new India spec GL Class.
With the commencemt of the CKD assembly of the GL Class in India, M-B India has become the only plant outside USA to produce the latest generation GL-Class. The CKD assembled GL 350 CDI is on sale in India for a price of INR 72.58 lakhs (ex-showroom Pune).
The GL Class has always been fondly known as the “S-Class among SUVs” and this proved to be very accurate when we spent some time driving the mammoth SUV on a specially prepared off road track at Chakan.
Enabling the GL 350 CDI to conquer even the most treacherous of 45 degree ascents on this test track was the car’s highly potent 2987cc V6 diesel engine, which produces 619 Nm of peal torque @ 1600-2400 and a max power of 190 kW/258 hp @ 3600rpm. The engine has so much torque on offer at so low down the revs that the steepest of inclines were dealt with a dab of accelerator, with the tacho showing a ‘laughable’ 2000 rpm.
The track on which we drove was marred by the heavy rainfall, as a result of which the traction on offer can be best described as poor. However, the GL’s hill ascent ensued that the GL dealt with the trickiest of conditions during the inclines with quite an aplomb. The SUV’s 7G-TRONIC Plus automatic transmission offers high level of responsiveness and the smooth shifts are highly seamless in nature.
The permanent four-wheel drive and a 50:50 torque distribution between the front and rear axles enables the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class to deal with most of the hurdles, ruts and other undulations you can throw at it.
While the GL Class has to be among the most serious luxury off-roaders out there, there is no denying that it is as cosseting to the passengers as any luxury sedan, well almost. The occupants of the GL enjoy well appointed interiors that come draped in the richest of leathers and boast of enough gizmos to put a small spaceship to shame. The GL offers really spacious interior, with easy front and rear seat access with Easy Entry system feature on both sides.
Segment innovations on the GL include 360°camera, Cross-Wind Stabilization, Open pore ashwood trim, Active Park Assist, Panoramic sunroof for all three seat rows. The vehicle also features latest multimedia with the COMAND Online featuring a 7.0 inch colour display with TFT technology. Features like the Bluetooth interface with hands-free function, as well as internet browsing, Mercedes-Benz apps and the GPS system can be operated with the central control interface of the COMAND Online.
On the outside, the car benefits from the luxury car maker’s latest design language and the talking point of the new GL’s design have to be its sporty looking front fascia, which consists of a sporty looking front grille, stylish headlamps and bumpers that get daytime LED running lights.
Summing it all up, we feel that the short drive was enough to reassure us that the new GL’s suave exteriors, plush cabin and a long gizmo list, coupled with all those off road credentials, make it the most accomplished of luxury off roaders out there.
Mercedes GL 350 CDI Engine Specifications:
- Arrangement/no. of cylinders: V6
- Displacement (cc) (cm3): 2,987
- Rated Output (kW/hp @ rpm): 190 / 258 @ 3600
- Rated Torque (Nm @ rpm): 619 @ 1600-2400
- Approx. top speed (km/h): 220
- Acceleration (0-100 km/h, s): 7.9
- Fuel: Diesel
- Power transmission and wheels
- Tyres/wheels: 275/55 R19
- Drive system: 4MATIC
- Transmission: 7G-TRONIC Plus Automatic transmission
- Capacities and weights:
- Kerb weight (kg): 2,535
- Permissible GVW (kg): 3,250
- Boot capacity (VDA) (l): 680-1210-2300
- Turning circle diameter (m): 12.40
The pics in the article don’t seem to be of the India assembled car and the Steering wheel is on the wrong side as per Indian Standards 🙂