Sydney show: Benz shows GL

THE full range of 6.2-litre AMG V8-engined models were on public display for the first time yesterday following last week's launch, but the big-ticket item on the Mercedes-Benz stand in Sydney was the Australian debut of the all-new GL-class off-roader.

On display in Australia for the first time, the big brother to the ML-class will be available with either 165kW/510Nm V6 turbo-diesel or 285kW 5.5-litre V8 power, both with the option of seven seats.

Pricing was announced in July at $103,900 for the base GL320 CDI diesel and $146,900 for the GL500 petrol variant, both of which will go on sale in November.

A mid-spec GL450 petrol model will follow in the first quarter of 2007, powered by Benz's new 250kW 4.6-litre V8. All three variants will be fitted as standard with Mercedes' 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.

All US-built GL-class models will also feature the 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.

Read more:

GL-class 63 AMG range