2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Gets More Brain and Brawn

HARTFORD, CONN. (04/12/2012)(readMedia)-- If there is any luxury vehicle built with a "bigger is better" mantra, it is the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Revealed at the 2012 New York International Auto Show last week, the all-new 2013 GL-Class will indeed get larger and feature even more power, but Mercedes-Benz is balancing those features with added fuel efficiency and a slew of safety technologies.

Headed to Mercedes-Benz dealerships in September, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will offer more shoulder, elbow and headroom for all occupants thanks to a longer and slightly wider stance. Three rows of seats still provide space for seven occupants, and a new optional Power Easy-Entry system automatically tilts the second row of seats forward to ease access to the third row.

"Though it's a full-size SUV, the GL-Class is still designed to put every square inch of space to good use," said M. Todd Pancavage, general manager of New Country Motor Cars, a Hartford, Connecticut Mercedes-Benz dealer. "Some automakers are decreasing vehicle size to increase fuel economy, but Mercedes-Benz was able to accommodate a size increase in the GL-Class while still improving efficiency by an average of 19 percent."

The three redesigned engines available in the 2013 GL-Class use direct injection and are matched to a new seven-speed automatic transmission to simultaneously improve power and fuel efficiency. The automaker packed 30 more ponies into the reworked base V6 engine in the GL350 BlueTEC, while the best-selling GL450 receives a boost of 27 horsepower for its V8. The top-trim GL550 gets a total of 429 horsepower, a 47-horsepower improvement.

Mercedes-Benz also added a wide variety of intuitive technologies to keep the families inside each 2013 GL-Class safe. Better handling and stability come from a standard Airmatic self-leveling full-air suspension system with a crosswind stabilization feature. Also standard are Attention Assist and Collision Prevention Assist, which combine to warn drivers if they are swerving or getting too close to another vehicle, pedestrians or other objects. Available as an option, the new Active Curve System can also help reduce body roll for more agility.

Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Stephen Cannon recently said that the brand has a promising sales future with its new generation of vehicles in the pipeline, and it is already experiencing rapid sales growth. The luxury automaker had a record-setting March in the United States, which helped Mercedes-Benz reach its highest first-quarter sales volume ever. Cannon expects the brand to move more than 253,000 units in the United States in 2012 and break its previous record from five years ago.

"We predict that the new GL-Class will give a healthy boost to Mercedes-Benz's already impressive 2012 sales after the SUV arrives later this year," added Pancavage. "There will always be large families in need of safe and reliable rides, so there will always be a market for large SUVs."

About New Country Motor Cars:

New Country Motor Cars is a premier Connecticut Mercedes-Benz dealership, and they've proven their excellence by receiving the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best award for 2010. They have an impressive selection of new and used Mercedes-Benz models to choose from, and their skilled service technicians ensure Mercedes-Benz owners get the most out of their vehicles. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group, New Country Motor Cars is located at One Weston Street in Hartford, Connecticut. They can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewCountryMercedesBenz or reached by phone at 888-267-2959, and their extensive Mercedes-Benz inventory can be viewed at www.newcountrymercedes.com.