The X166 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a

full-size Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment. Af ...

luxury SUV A luxury car is a car that provides increased levels of comfort, equipment, amenities, quality, performance, and associated status compared to moderately priced cars. The term is subjective and reflects both the qualities of the car and the ...

produced from 2012 to 2019. It is the second generation model in the

GL-Class The Mercedes-Benz GLS, formerly Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, is a full-size luxury SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2006. In each of its generations it is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle positioned above the GLE (formerly Mercedes-Benz M-Class ...

range, and was renamed GLS as of the 2016 facelift.

Development and launch

The X166 GL-Class debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show and later went on sale in September 2012. Compared to its predecessor, the GL-Class is taller, wider, longer, and up to lighter.

Equipment

Standard equipment includes the

COMAND Cockpit Management and Data system - COMAND for short - acts as a combined command and control centre for all audio, telematics and telecommunications functions on Mercedes-Benz vehicles and includes a dedicated flat display screen. In addition t ...

system with a 5.8-inch display, LED headlights, and an adaptive

air suspension Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an electric or engine-driven air pump or compressor. This compressor pumps the air into a flexible bellows, usually made from textile-reinforced rubber. Unlike hydropneumatic suspension, ...

for up to of ground clearance. Options include soft close doors, rear-seat infotainment displays, 20 and 21-inch wheel options, and an off-road package that adds an increased ride height, a skid plate, and a low-range gearbox. The GL-Class is also available with driver assistance systems such as active cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring systems.

Models

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

GL 63 AMG version

The GL63 AMG was introduced at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. It features a hand-built

twin-turbo Twin-turbo (not to be confused with a twincharger setup, which is a combination of a supercharger and a turbocharger) refers to an engine in which two turbochargers work in tandem to compress the intake fuel/air mixture (or intake air, in the case ...

charged 5.5 L V8 that produces and . It is mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS

semi-automatic transmission A semi-automatic transmission is a "theoretical" multiple-speed transmission where part of its operation is automated (typically the actuation of the clutch), but the driver's input would be required to launch the vehicle from a standstill and to ...

, with Efficiency, Sport, and Manual modes. Additional features include upgraded brakes, a sports exhaust, AMG exterior and interior styling, 21-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, and an air suspension system that automatically lowers the car at higher speeds. The engine was updated in 2016 and now produces and .

2016 facelift

The facelift was unveiled in November 2015 with production beginning from January 2016. The GL-Class model range was renamed to GLS to correspond with the new Mercedes naming scheme. The exterior now featured full LED tail-lights and a revised front fascia with updated LED headlights, grille, and bumpers. New exterior paint colours and alloy-wheel designs were also introduced. Interior changes include a revised instrument panel and new 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, as well as an upgraded free-standing 8-inch COMAND system display with

Apple CarPlay CarPlay is an Apple standard which enables a car radio or head unit to be a display and a controller for an iOS device. It is available on all iPhone models beginning with iPhone 5 running iOS 7.1 or later. According to Apple's website, all ma ...

and

Android Auto Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit. Once an Android device is paired with the car's head unit, the syste ...

support. GL500 and GL63 AMG models received performance improvements, and the 7-speed automatic was replaced by the 9-speed 9G-Tronic transmission.

Sales figures

The following are the sales figures for the X166 GL-Class: Note: 2012 sales figures include the previous generation model.

Awards

* 2013

MotorTrend ''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949. Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 1998, when it was sold to ...

"SUV of the Year" * 2017

Car and Driver ''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was fou ...

"10Best Award" in the large SUV category

References

External links

* {{Mercedes-Benz vehicles GL-Class (X166) Cars introduced in 2012 Luxury sport utility vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles 2010s cars