that These are the first spy photos of the upcoming 2015 Mercedes GL Facelift. What seems new?
Introduced back in April 2012, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is getting ready for a mild makeover to keep the luxury full-size crossover fresh until the next generation, set to arrive some time around 2017. The prototype that shows up in the spy photos was testing somewhere in the United States. The car appears to be wearing camouflage only on the front fascia. This indicates that there will be few style changes on the bumper and on the radiator grille.
The prototype that spy photographers caught on camera was the GL 500 4MATIC. This particular variant comes with the 4.7-liter V8 engine, that delivers 435 PS (320 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque between 1,800 rpm and 3,500 rpm. The unit sends the resources to both axles through a 7G-TRONIC transmission. The figures allow the GL to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.4 seconds. That is before topping out at 155 mph (250 km/h).
In this configuration, the GL-Class consumes 14.5 liters / 100 km for the in-city drive, 9.3 liters / 100 km on the highway and 11.3 liters / 100 km in the combined cycle, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 262 g/km.
Mercedes GL Facelift keeps the engine range
In the facelift, Mercedes will keep unchanged the model range for the US with the GL 450 4Matic (3 litre V6 bi-turbo, 362 HP), the GL 550 4Matic (4.7 litre V8 bi-turbo, 429 HP) and the GL 63 AMG 4Matic (5.5 litre V8 bi-turbo with 550 HP) plus the GL 350 BlueTec (3 litre V6 turbodiesel, 240 HP).
The offer for Europe could be enlarged after the facelift with the GL 400, equipped with the new 3 litre bi-turbo V6 with 333 HP.
There are also rumours about a more luxurious variant named Maybach. That one should go out there to fight the future Rolls-Royce SUV in terms of luxury and comfort facilities.
The Mercedes GL Facelift should show up next year in January, at NAIAS in Detroit.
Foto: Automedia
