|  The new GL-Class with permanent four-wheel drive, which goes on sale in the UK in mid September, is built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the USA. It is built alongside the Mercedes M-Class and R-Class model ranges and shares much of the same bodyshell architecture, components and family looks.
With its poised, assured presence, the GL-Class leaves you in no doubt about its aspirations to conquer this competitive market segment. The distinctive design idiom exudes power and exclusivity. Calm body surfaces, powerful, wedge-shaped features and striking details give the impression the luxury off-roader is surging forward even when stationary. The spacious body (length 5088 mm, width 1920 mm, height 1840 mm) is beautifully proportioned.
There is the choice of a 4.6-liter, 335-horsepower V8 engine powers the 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels through the company’s 4Matic 4WD system. The hardware roster also includes a four-wheel-independent suspension, speed-sensitive steering, and 18-inch alloy wheels wearing 265/60 all-season tires. An Airmatic air suspension and adaptive damping shocks are optional. The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is rated to tow up to 7,500 pounds, and if history is any indicator, a Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG is likely arriving in showrooms for 2008 or 2009. The Mercedes GL-Class’s only limitation off-road is the air suspension which can be raised to various heights to clear obstacles but as for absorbing off road potholes, bumps and jarring it is pretty inefficient when fully extended to maximum ride-height. On-road it is a much more comfortable, less sick making ride than the air suspension used by Range Rover, but off road the Range Rover is still king for ride comfort and suspension travel.
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