Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X166) explained

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class/GLS (X166)
Manufacturer:Daimler AG
Aka:Mercedes-Benz GLS (facelift)
Production:June 2012 – April 2019
Model Years:2013–2019
Class:Full-size luxury crossover SUV[1] [2] [3]
Body Style:5-door SUV
Layout:Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (4matic)
Transmission:7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
Wheelbase:30751NaN1
31001NaN1 (facelift)
Width:19341NaN1
Height:18501NaN1
Weight:2380-
Predecessor:Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164)
Successor:Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class (X167)
Sp:uk

The X166 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a full-size luxury crossover SUV produced from 2012 to 2019. It is the second generation model in the GL-Class range, and was renamed GLS as of the 2016 facelift.[4]

Development and launch

The X166 GL-Class debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show and later went on sale in September 2012.[5] Compared to its predecessor, the GL-Class is 101NaN1 taller, 141NaN1 wider, 211NaN1 longer,[6] and up to 1000NaN0 lighter.[7]

Equipment

Standard equipment includes the COMAND system with a 5.8-inch display, LED headlights,[8] and an adaptive air suspension for up to 2851NaN1 of ground clearance.[9] 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.[10] The GL-Class is also available with driver assistance systems such as active cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring systems.[11]

Models

Petrol engines

ModelYearsEnginePower TorqueNaN0NaN0
GL4504MATIC2013–2014M278 DE46
4.7 L V8 twin-turbo
2700NaN0
@ 5,000–6,000 rpm
5500NaN0
@ 1,500–4,000 rpm
6.6 s
GLS4504MATIC2015–2019M276 E30
3.0 L V6 twin-turbo
2700NaN0
@ 5,500–6,000 rpm
5000NaN0
@ 1,800–4,500 rpm
6.9 s
GL5504MATIC2012–2015M278 DE46
4.7 L V8 twin-turbo
3200NaN0
@ 5,250 rrpm
7000NaN0
@ 1,800–3,500 rpm
5.2 s
GLS550 4MATIC2015–20193350NaN0
@ 5,250–5,500 rpm
7000NaN0
@ 1,800–4,000 rpm
5.3 s
GL63 AMG2013–2015M157 DE55
5.5 L V8 twin-turbo
4100NaN0
@ 5,500 rpm
7600NaN0
@ 2,000–4,500 rpm
4.9 s
GLS63 AMG2015–20194300NaN0
@ 5,500 rpm
7600NaN0
@ 1,750–5,250 rpm
4.6 s

Diesel engines

ModelYearsEnginePowerTorqueNaN0NaN0
GL350
BlueTEC
2012–2015OM642 LS DE30
3.0 L V6 turbo
1900NaN0
@ 3,600 rpm
6200NaN0
@ 1,600–2,400 rpm
7.9 s
GLS 350d4MATIC2015–20197.8 s

GL 63 AMG version

The GL63 AMG was introduced at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.[12] It features a hand-built twin-turbocharged 5.5 L V8 that produces 4100NaN0 and 7600NaN0. It is mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS semi-automatic transmission, with Efficiency, Sport, and Manual modes.[13] 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.[14] The engine was updated in 2016 and now produces 4300NaN0 and 7600NaN0.[15]

2016 facelift

The facelift was unveiled in November 2015 with production beginning from January 2016.[16] The GL-Class model range was renamed to GLS to correspond with the new Mercedes naming scheme.[17] The exterior now featured full LED tail-lights and a revised front fascia with updated LED headlights, grille, and bumpers.[18] The Guardian described it as "a laughably outsized car" and went on to say "it's amazing, but sooner or later, we'll all end up paying for this sort of unfettered excess. The car is epic in dimension and ability, but it’s stunted in terms of its awareness of its place in our world."[19] 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,[20] as well as an upgraded free-standing 8-inch COMAND system display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.[21] GL500 and GL63 AMG models received performance improvements, and the 7-speed automatic was replaced by the 9-speed 9G-Tronic transmission.[22]

Sales figures

The following are the sales figures for the X166 GL-Class:[23] [24]

Note: 2012 sales figures include the previous generation model.

YearEU salesUS sales
20121,57326,042
20134,82929,912
20144,18726,597
20153,75327,707
20165,36130,442
20174,53732,248
20183,53421,973
Total:27,774194,921

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLS was held back by a confusing feature.
  2. Web site: Mercedes-Benz GLS Meaning and History. Mercedes-Benz of Modesto.
  3. Web site: Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Consumer Guide.
  4. Web site: Mercedes-Benz GLE Review (2019) Autocar. www.autocar.co.uk. en. 2018-09-08.
  5. News: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL. 2012-04-04. Road & Track. 2018-09-08. en-US.
  6. Web site: Mercedes GL-Class gets even bigger for 2013 - AOL. www.aol.co.uk. en. 2018-09-08.
  7. News: 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG Review - GTspirit. Sellmeyer. Des. 2014-04-15. GTspirit. 2018-09-08. en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class - Buyers Guide Autoweek. autoweek.com. en. 2018-09-08.
  9. News: Mercedes GL-class (2012) first official pictures. CAR Magazine. 2018-09-08. en.
  10. Web site: '4X4 TO THE POWER OF G' - Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (2013-2015) Range Independent Used Review (Ref:873/211213). Limited. Listers Group. listers.co.uk. en-gb. 2018-09-08.
  11. Web site: Autotrader - page unavailable. www.autotrader.com. en. 2018-09-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20181008221133/https://www.autotrader.com/car-reviews/2014-mercedes-benz-gl-class-new-car-review-216832. 2018-10-08. dead.
  12. News: 2013 Mercedes GL63 AMG introduced in Los Angeles, U.S. pricing announced. Motor1.com. 2018-09-08. en.
  13. News: Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 2016 Review - motoring.com.au. Newton. Bruce. 2016-06-16. motoring.com.au. 2018-09-08. en-US.
  14. Web site: Mercedes-AMG GL 63 2013-2015 Review (2018) Autocar. www.autocar.co.uk. en. 2018-09-08.
  15. News: Mercedes-AMG GLS63 4Matic Reviews Mercedes-AMG GLS63 4Matic Price, Photos, and Specs Car and Driver. Car and Driver. 2018-09-08. en.
  16. News: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLS (GL facelift) spied with very little mascara. Motor1.com. 2018-09-08. en.
  17. News: Mercedes Changes Its Names. 2018-09-08. en.
  18. Web site: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLS review. WhichCar. en. 2018-09-08.
  19. News: Mercedes-Benz GLS: 'A cross between a first-class lounge and fantasy farm vehicle' . . 7 October 2018 . 26 March 2023 . Love . Martin.
  20. News: Mercedes-Benz GLS first drive review. Kable. Greg. 2016-10-03. Drive. 2018-09-08. en-US.
  21. News: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-class. Car and Driver. 2018-09-08. en.
  22. News: 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-class. Car and Driver. 2018-09-08. en.
  23. News: Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS European sales figures. carsalesbase.com. 2018-09-08. en-US.
  24. News: Mercedes-Benz GL / GLS US car sales figures. carsalesbase.com. 2018-09-08. en-US.
  25. Web site: 2013 Motor Trend SUV of the Year: Mercedes-Benz GL. 2012-10-15. Motor Trend. 2018-09-08.
  26. News: The Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Is the Best Large SUV – 2017 10Best Trucks and SUVs. Car and Driver. 2018-09-08. en.