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Vehicle Tests > Mass Transit
Mass Transit
There's no doubting that the CDI engine is still one of, if not the best turbodiesel found in 4WDs today. It uses all the latest technologies to be powerful, quiet and frugal. But it's made to work in the big GL and doesn't have the performance feel that we've come to know from it in lighter applications.
Keeping the GL320's approximately 2400kg mass on the move has the seven-speed auto slipping seamlessly through its ratios more regularly than usual and acceleration isn't as quick. Offroad, any power inadequacies aren't noticeable as the torque at low speed is more than sufficient for steep climbs and ploughing through soft sand.
There is a V8 turbodiesel GL430CDI available overseas but this is not being offered in Australia due to an ADR requirement that would require more expense to rectify than the sales volume justifies.
The petrol V8 feels much more relaxed and at home in the GL giving better onroad performance and matching the diesel offroad. Of course it isn't as frugal consuming a claimed 13.9L/100km to the CDI's claimed 9.7. On this drive, which included a lot of sand driving, the GLs used an indicated 18.2L/100km and 13.8 for the V8 and diesel respectively.
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Being such a big vehicle, the GL won't be for everyone and as such Mercedes Benz Australia is only looking to sell around 30 to 35 a month. Its dynamics are dictated by its size and mass and this will turn off some drivers. The big three-pointed star on the front will attract buyers looking to make a statement about their motoring choice. While an R-Class might be better suited to them, the seven seat GL will be popular with well-heeled soccer mums who don't mind the size and are not concerned about criticisms of the use of such vehicles for this task.
If you don't want or need the extra seats then stick to a M-Class. If you only want the seats and not the ability then go R-Class. But if you want the best of both worlds then the GL is for you.
Keeping the GL320's approximately 2400kg mass on the move has the seven-speed auto slipping seamlessly through its ratios more regularly than usual and acceleration isn't as quick. Offroad, any power inadequacies aren't noticeable as the torque at low speed is more than sufficient for steep climbs and ploughing through soft sand.
There is a V8 turbodiesel GL430CDI available overseas but this is not being offered in Australia due to an ADR requirement that would require more expense to rectify than the sales volume justifies.
The petrol V8 feels much more relaxed and at home in the GL giving better onroad performance and matching the diesel offroad. Of course it isn't as frugal consuming a claimed 13.9L/100km to the CDI's claimed 9.7. On this drive, which included a lot of sand driving, the GLs used an indicated 18.2L/100km and 13.8 for the V8 and diesel respectively.
read on below advertisement
Exclusive offroading
Being such a big vehicle, the GL won't be for everyone and as such Mercedes Benz Australia is only looking to sell around 30 to 35 a month. Its dynamics are dictated by its size and mass and this will turn off some drivers. The big three-pointed star on the front will attract buyers looking to make a statement about their motoring choice. While an R-Class might be better suited to them, the seven seat GL will be popular with well-heeled soccer mums who don't mind the size and are not concerned about criticisms of the use of such vehicles for this task.
If you don't want or need the extra seats then stick to a M-Class. If you only want the seats and not the ability then go R-Class. But if you want the best of both worlds then the GL is for you.
