2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

FUEL-SIPPING MERCEDES-BENZ GL320 BLUETEC MAKES DEBUT

The award-winning seven-passenger GL-Class – the first full-size SÚV from Mercedes-Benz – boasts a timely new model for 2009. Joining the fully equipped, 382-horsepower GL550 model and the highly successful GL450, the fuel-sipping GL320 BlueTEC diesel features a new AdBlue exhaust treatment system that helps the new model meet the most stringent 50-state emissions limits.

GL320 BlueTEC Diesel Boasts 600-Mile Cruising Range

The GL320 BlueTEC is changing consumers' dated perceptions about diesel engines – it gets surprisingly good performance and extremely low exhaust emissions, in the process of delivering 20-30 percent better fuel economy. With an EPA highway fuel mileage rating of 23 miles per gallon, the seven-seat SÚV also boasts impressive cruising range – up to 600 miles at highway speeds. What's more, V8-like pulling power makes the GL320 BlueTEC ideal for towing when it's equipped with an optional 7,500-lb. Class IV trailer hitch.

BlueTEC — A Modular Technology

BlueTEC is a modular system that includes an oxidation catalyst and a maintenance-free particulate filter as well as new techniques for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions – the last type of exhaust gas that's higher in diesel vehicles than gasoline engines. The BlueTEC diesels use an NOx storage converter in combination with an SCR catalytic converter and AdBlue injection to lower NOx emissions. The AdBlue system (technical name: urea SCR system) injects an aqueous carbamide solution into the exhaust flow, which releases ammonia (NH3), reducing nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in the downstream SCR converter.

Just the right amount of AdBlue for a given engine load and speed is injected to get the greatest reduction of nitrogen oxides. On average, only a quart of AdBlue is needed for every 600 miles driven, so its tank only needs to be serviced every 10,000 miles as a part of regularly scheduled maintenance. Owners who are used to taking in their car for scheduled maintenance will hardly know the AdBlue tank is there.

GL320 BlueTEC Boasts Fuel Economy of a Four and Torque of a V8

The diesel-powered GL320 BlueTEC delivers impressive performance, low exhaust emissions and great fuel economy. With 210 hp and a whopping 398 lb-ft. of torque, the GL320 BlueTEC features an innovative V6 diesel engine with the torque of a V8 and the fuel economy to rival some four-cylinders. Equipped with the latest CDI (Common Rail Direct Injection) technology, this electronically injected diesel engine is changing consumers' dated perceptions about diesels.

BlueTEC diesel technology is helping to expand the company's already broad product portfolio in the Ú.S. market. In addition, Mercedes-Benz' pioneering role in modern diesel engines is playing a key role in the company's future products that could also include hybrids, advanced piston engines and fuel cells.

New-For-2009 Standard COMAND System

A new, standard COMAND system features a large 6.5-inch color display screen with a standard in-dash, six-disc DVD / CD changer and a Bluetooth interface that allows a phone still in a pocket or purse to be operated through the car's audio system. It can be equipped with an optional iPod/MP3 interface, SIRIÚS satellite radio, HD radio, and An enhanced voice control system.

The COMAND screen can play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or SD memory card. The new system can also display maps and directions for the optional hard-drive navigation system, which can be set up for SIRIÚS real-time traffic info and Zagat restaurant ratings as well.

All GL-Class models can be equipped with an optional 610-watt digital harmon kardon Logic7 audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system that includes two eight-inch screens, wireless headphones and an integrated DVD player with dual-source capability.

An Award-Winning Mercedes-Benz Class

A totally new class of Mercedes-Benz in 2006, the GL450 won Motor Trend magazine's well-known 2007 Sport Útility of the Year award, two consecutive 5Best Trucks Awards in the Luxury Sport Útility category from Car and Driver magazine, the Forbes' Best SÚVs 2007 as well as Edmunds Most Wanted SÚV over $45,000. The GL-Class features four-wheel independent suspension and height-adjustable Airmatic suspension for unprecedented comfort and handling.

Rich, Sporty Interiors with Flexible Cargo Space
The interior of the GL is fitted with real wood trim, eight-way power front seats and a Panorama sunroof over the third-row seats. The two third-row seats can be stowed electrically at the push of a button, either separately or together, to provide a totally flat cargo floor for 43.8 cubic feet of cargo, and with the second row seats stowed as well, there's more than 83 cubic feet of cargo room.

With nearly all previous options as standard equipment, the GL550 comes fully loaded with the latest innovations in occupant safety and creature comforts. The GL550 can be easily identified by a unique exterior styling treatment that includes 21-inch AMG wheels fitted with all-season tires, fender flares, chrome trim, infra-red reflecting glass and a larger execution of the Mercedes-Benz star integrated into the front grille. For 2009, the GL550 receives the KEYLESS-GO system as new standard equipment.

Mercedes-Benz Safety is Standard
The GL-Class lines come standard with ESP® stability control, ABS anti-lock brakes, two-stage adaptive air bags for the driver and front passenger, driver's knee air bag, seat-mounted side air bags in front and rear, curtain side air bags and adaptive belt tensioners and belt force limiters. In addition, active front head restraints move forward nearly two inches and upward by about an inch in the event of a severe rear collision, helping to support the head and reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries. And, a rollover sensor can activate the belt tensioner and curtain air bags if the vehicle senses an imminent rollover.

PRE-SAFE® Gives The 2009 GL-Class Reflexes to Protect Occupants

New standard equipment on the 2009 GL-Class, PRE-SAFE® is a revolutionary safety system that can actually sense an impending collision before it happens and take measures to protect occupants during those valuable seconds before impact. The PRE-SAFE system that made its debut on the S-Class automatically tightens the front seat belts before a possible impact, and the front passenger seat moves to a position that can provide better protection. Side windows also close to provide better support for the window curtain air bags. If the system senses an impending rollover, the sunroof also closes.

All-Aluminum 5.5-Liter V8 Power
The GL550 is powered by a 5.5-liter all-aluminum V8 that produces 382 hp and 391 foot-pounds of torque, with maximum torque available from 2,800 to 4,800 rpm, providing impressive engine response over a broader RPM range. The 4.6-liter engine in the GL450 and the 5.5 in the GL550 are part of the same engine family that comes with four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts in each cylinder bank and variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust valves. The V8s also have 'tumble flaps' in the intake for better fuel economy and an electronically controlled two-stage intake manifold that broadens the power curve.

Variable Valve Timing and Tumble Flaps Improve Fuel Efficiency

Valve timing is automatically adjusted by electro-hydraulic vane-type adjusters on the end of each camshaft. At partial throttle, the adjusters keep the exhaust valves open as the intake valves are opening, using this valve overlap for internal exhaust gas recirculation, reducing exhaust emissions and improving fuel economy. Approaching full throttle, the camshaft adjustment optimizes valve timing for maximum power.

Tumble flaps in the intake passages near the combustion chamber pivot open under partial load, improving combustion by creating additional turbulence around the intake valve and in the combustion chamber. During higher engine loads such as full throttle, the tumble flaps are completely recessed in the wall of the intake manifold. While better combustion helps improve engine torque, the primary purpose of the tumble flaps is to further increase fuel economy, and tests show that the tumble flaps indeed boost gas mileage by nearly two percent.

While variable valve timing gets a lot of credit for the engine's unusually broad torque curve, a two-stage magnesium intake manifold plays a key role as well. Below engine speeds of 3,500 rpm a set of flaps in the manifold close off short intake passages, forcing intake air to take a much longer route into the engine. This creates pressure waves that help the intake process and improve torque. At higher engine speeds the flaps open and intake air flows the shortest distance to the combustion chambers, helping to make more horsepower.

The Mercedes-Benz Alabama Plant

Along with the M-Class and R-Class, the GL-Class sport utility vehicle is produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which began production in 1997 with the first-generation M-Class. Since 2001, more than $600 million has been invested to expand the facility for production of the three SÚV lines.

Source - Mercedes-Benz