2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 5.5L 4WD Automatic

• Aluminum running boards
• Bi-xenon headlamps w/active curve illumination, heated headlamp washers
• Chrome front corner-illuminating foglamps
• Chrome grille
• Chrome roof rails
• Driver-programmable daytime running lamps w/auto-on
• Hydraulically assisted liftgate closing feature
• Infrared-reflecting glass
• Intermittent rear wiper w/washer
• Pwr folding heated mirrors-inc: driver memory, auto-dimming mirrors
• Pwr liftgate w/close assist
• Pwr tilt/sliding tinted-glass sunroof w/sunshade
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers w/heated nozzles, lines & reservoir
• Rear privacy glass
• Single red rear foglamp
• Tinted 3rd row glass sunroof w/sunshade

• (6) cup & (2) bottle holders
• 12-volt pwr outlets located in ashtray & cargo area side panel
• 1st & 2nd row pwr windows w/1-touch express up/down
• 1st/2nd/3rd row carpeted floor mats
• 2nd row 60/40-split & flat-folding seat w/easy-entry passenger side seat cushions, individual adjustable head restraints
• 3rd row split & flat-folding pwr seats, individual adjustable head restraints
• 8-way pwr front heated bucket seats-inc: memory, active head restraints, adjustable driver lumbar
• Alarm system
• Ambient interior lighting pkg
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Burl walnut trim
• Cargo net
• Center console w/rear 12V pwr outlets
• COMAND cockpit management & data system-inc: AM/FM/Weatherband radio, vehicle-speed-sensitive volume, glovebox mounted 6-disc CD changer, MP3 capabilities, DVD navigation system, harman/kardon LOGIC7 audio system, (11) speakers, Sirius satellite radio, rear audio control
• Cruise control
• Dual double visors w/illuminated vanity mirrors
• Electronic instrumentation-inc: speedometer, tachometer, digital odometer & Touch Shift gear modes, fuel gauge, quartz clock
• Front/rear reading lights
• Glovebox w/auxiliary input jack
• Hands-free communication system
• Heated rear seats
• Integrated (3) button garage door control compatible w/HomeLink
• Leather upholstery
• Mercedes-Benz Maintenance System Plus display-inc: distance remaining to next maintenance, type of service due, reminders
• Multifunction displays in instrument cluster-inc: trip computer, exterior temp gauge, maintenance system, oil level check, digital speedometer, reminder & malfunction messages, driver-programmable settings, cruise control, touch shift gear & shift mode selection, audio status, navigation route guidance
• Night security illumination
• Parktronic system w/rear view camera
• Pwr rear quarter windows
• Pwr tilt/telescopic leather & wood heated steering wheel-inc: memory, audio controls, fingertip shift buttons
• Rear window defroster w/auto-shutoff based on time & driving speed & exterior temp
• Retractable cargo cover
• SmartKey infrared remote-inc: tailgate open, windows/sunroof open/close, panic alarm, fuel filler door, selective door unlock
• SmartKey system-inc: remote central locking system, anti-theft engine immobilizer, drive away automatic locking
• Tele Aid global positioning system (GPS) satellite system-inc: stolen vehicle recovery, remote door unlock service, automatic alarm notification
• Tire-pressure warning system
• Tri-zone automatic climate control-inc: electrostatic dust & pollen filter, tunnel mode w/1-touch closing of all windows, rear air vents w/controls, sun sensor
• Voice recognition

• 21 5-spoke aluminum wheels
• 4-wheel air suspension-inc: spring-struts, automatic passenger & load weight compensation, vehicle level control, adaptive damping system (ADS II)
• 4-wheel drive w/downhill speed regulation, hill-start assist
• 4-wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS)
• 5.5L 32-valve V8 engine
• 7-speed automatic drive-adaptive transmission-inc: driver-selectable Comfort mode, Touch Shift
• Anti-lock braking system w/brake assist
• Dual split chrome exhaust tips
• Dual-stage resonance intake manifold
• Electronic brake force distribution
• Electronic stability program
• Front/rear skid plates
• Front/rear stabilizer bar
• Independent 4-arm multi-link high-strength forged aluminum-alloy upper arms rear suspension-inc: anti-squat geometry, alignment control
• Independent double wishbone high-strength forged aluminum-alloy upper arms & cast iron lower arms front suspension-inc: anti-dive geometry
• P295/40R21 all-season tires
• Pwr front 2-piston & rear 1-piston ventilated disc brakes
• Speed-sensitive pwr rack & pinion steering w/integrated hydraulic damper

• 1st & 2nd row side-impact airbags
• 4-wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS)
• Active front seat belts w/automatic height adjustable shoulder belts
• Anti-lock braking system w/brake assist
• Child safety rear door locks
• Driver & front passenger adaptive dual-stage airbags w/front passenger occupant classification system
• Driver-programmable daytime running lamps w/auto-on
• Electronic stability program
• Electronic traction system
• Front passenger occupant detection system
• Seat belt pretensioners
• Side-impact air curtains for all outboard seating positions
• Trailer stability assist
• Universal LATCH (lower anchors & tethers for children) system

Model Highlights

For 2007, Mercedes-Benz rounded out their family-oriented array by introducing the seven-seat GL-Class, and for 2008 the manufacturer adds the higher-performance GL550 to the lineup, with its 5.5L V8 and 21-inch wheels. The 4.7L V8 found in the GL450 is a derivative of the four-valve-per-cylinder engine that first appeared in the S550. In the GL, it makes 335 horsepower and 339 ft-lbs. of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission helps the GL450 sprint to 60 mph in only 7.4 seconds. The GL320 CDI starts at $53,000, $2,500 less than the GL450, and was introduced late during the 2007 model year. While it only makes 215 horsepower, the 3.2L V6 diesel engine makes a whopping 398 lb-ft or torque. It will banish all your old ideas of what a diesel engine is like, too: it's quiet, has no noticeable odor, and offers a tidal wave of torque. The GL550, starting at $76,975, improves the powertrain lineup with Mercedes-Benz' impressive 5.5L V8. Outside, 21-inch wheels and more aggressive styling for the front grille and fender flares are standard. Rounding out the remainder of the GL550's $21,475 base price differential is much of the GL450's optional equipment list, including trailer stability assist, an adaptive damping system, sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, burl walnut trim, the Parktronic system with rearview camera, hand-free communication and voice-recognition capabilities, and more. The interior of all three will look familiar to M-Class owners, but there are a few surprises. The middle row of seats is split 60/40, and tumbles on the passenger side for access to the third row. The third row has a reasonable amount of legroom, which makes the GL-Class versatile as both a cargo and a people hauler. One of the neatest features on the vehicle is the two buttons in the rear cargo area that raise or lower either third seatback electrically. Total cargo space with both rows folded is a voluminous 83.8 cubic feet. Plenty of protection is built into the GL-Class models. Besides a very strong roll cage body, passive safety items include permanent four-wheel-drive, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes, an electronic stability program, traction control and eight air bags. The GL-Class comes standard with all the power accessories you'd expect, along with dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a 6-disc CD changer and a multi-function leather steering wheel. Bird's-eye maple trim (burl walnut on the GL550), eight-way power and heated front seats and HomeLink add to the SUV's luxurious feel. On the GL320 and GL430, optional rear park assist, running boards, xenon lights, harman/kardon audio, tri-zone climate control, leather seats, and a rear entertainment system ensure that the GL can be configured to just about any taste. Aside from the size of the family the vehicle can accommodate, what separates the GL-Class from the M-Class is the air-adjustable suspension. Besides being able to raise and lower the GL-Class, you can also choose between a comfort and sport setting that produces an easily noticeable change in ride. It also automatically levels the front and rear end as the weight of the load varies.