Mercedes-Benz GL

The new GL is the first full size 7-seat 4x4 from the automaker and promises to offer 'First Class - both on and off road' experience to customers, Pankaj Dev drove it on the cooled lava surface of Iceland to test the automaker's claim.

Large and luxurious, the GL interior of my test car came with Artico man made leather upholstery combination in black alongside wood trim and matt finished metal rings around dials, air vents and cup holders impart a feel-good atmosphere to its interiors. Present Mercedes owners will not find anything unfamiliar about the interior. Thankfully, the omnipresent clutter of buttons on the central console has been cleaned up and makes the COMAND system friendlier to use.

Compared to the ML, the GL is almost a foot longer which explains the ample leg room in the second and third-row seats. Leg room in the third-row seats has been enhanced by foot wells so that you don't sit with your knee in your chest back in there. There is about 18' of luggage space behind (300 liters), but if you want to carry stuff instead of people, the seats automatically fold at the press of a button.

All seats are well padded for comfort. Front seats are power adjustable to suit your seating position and an optional massager brings relief to the sore back after a long day's work. Its 11-speaker harmon/kardon Logic 7 sound system, 14 air conditioning vents, sunroof, and ample of cup holders further elevate the levels of creature comforts in the GL.

Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, with eruptions occurring on an average roughly every five years. Driving the GL over volcanic rocks and settled magma which welled up from the core of the Earth was exciting and at the same time a nerve twitching experience.

The extreme weather conditions render the volcanic tracks of the peninsula non motorable for nearly five months in the year. Over the hard crest of solidified lava, the loose gravel top coat waltzed along under the wheels of GL which moved on confidently thanks to its standard off road 4matic permanent four-wheel drive system.

The dance of gravel track and the large 275/55 R 19 inch alloys wheels of the GL was an experience to savor. The GL steered confidently through the rugged terrain with the comfort and ease of handling of a luxury sedan.

I wonder though what it would be like to steer this hulk of 3250 kg through the soft sand dunes of the desert landscape in Middle East. The GL is on the heavier side as compared to some of its competitors namely Cayenne, LX470 and Range Rover which stand almost 150kg lighter than the GL. But then how many of the GL owners will take it in to the sand? If you want to buy a dune basher, this is probably not the wisest of the choice to zero in on.

With an approach angle of 33 degrees, a departure angle of 27 degrees and ground clearance that can be increased to 307mm by raising the adjustable air suspension, the GL stands at the top end of specs when compared to competition. That still does not change my opinion of the GL not being a thoroughbred dune basher.

The 5.4 V8 powerplant in my test GL500 could grunt out 530Nm torque and packed a decent 285 ponies inside. With plenty of power availability throughout the rev band spectrum, the GL lodged itself in any direction that it was pointed to with utmost ease and confidence.

Mercedes is giving an option of a more civilized engine unit in the GL450 - a 4.6 V8 capable of churning out 460 Nm torque and 250 horsepower. Both units are micro processor controlled fuel injection based unit mated to electronically controlled seven speed automatic transmission.

The GL looks much like the ML, just that this is a bigger package. Metal skid pads in the front and rear to protect the underlying mechanical components from damage when driving off black top are standard. Like the ML, the Mercedes power domes are strong elements of the GL face. The nicely raked windshield and bulging wheel arches hide the bulkiness of this tall and long SUV. The GL doesn't look as bulky as some of the American SUV's from GM and Ford.

Bottom line:

What's GL all about?

Well, it's about ambitious of being the most desirable 7-seat luxury 4x4.