GL-Class (X166) 2017 Mercedes-Benz GL Facelift: Spy Pics & Info

[lukeswiss]

for the price, the S offers a much more premium interior.

 

[tennmb]

Calling it an S is just not realistic. A GL has no where near the leg room or trim level of an S-class.
I always thought MB would have been better to offer a standard and long wheel base ML and then offer a true premium large SUV to compete with the Range Rover. The LWB Range Rover is the closest thing to an SUV S-class on the road today.
The GL is overpriced. It shares the platform, all its electronics, and now even engines (less the 550) with the ML. One of the main differentiating features (air suspension) has been a constant source of frustration for the GL.

 

[Wolfgang]

True the ML (W166) and GL (X166) share the platform. Great vehicles.

PS. Suspect the Range Rover and their ilk should be compared to the MB G (W463) instead.
The ML/GL can't match the G's or Range Rover's offroad capability etc etc etc.

 

[tennmb]

True the ML (W166) and GL (X166) share the platform. Great vehicles.

PS. Suspect the Range Rover and their ilk should be compared to the MB G (W463) instead.
The ML/GL can't match the G's or Range Rover's offroad capability etc etc etc.

Sorry Wolf, it's just not a comparison. The number of clients interested in the G's offroad capability is reflected in the production numbers of the G, and also in why RR doesn't sell a Defender in the US.

 

[Serpens]

Calling it an S is just not realistic. A GL has no where near the leg room or trim level of an S-class.
I always thought MB would have been better to offer a standard and long wheel base ML and then offer a true premium large SUV to compete with the Range Rover. The LWB Range Rover is the closest thing to an SUV S-class on the road today.
The GL is overpriced. It shares the platform, all its electronics, and now even engines (less the 550) with the ML. One of the main differentiating features (air suspension) has been a constant source of frustration for the GL.

The GL always shared at least some of its engines with the ML. And how has the air suspension been a constant source of frustration? I've had 2 generations and they've been fine. I also don't think the GL is overpriced, especially when you compare it to its closest American competition, the Cadillac Escalade. That being said, I do hope the GLS is more of a lifted S-class that can tow than what it is currently.

 

[Wolfgang]

Agreed. This upcoming facelift will very likely still be based on the ML/GL 166 platform. The next generation, however, likely to be based on the new MHA architecture, may become closer to be an S-Class Premium SUV. Rumored to come in two wheelbases, maybe including the alleged Maybach version.



The new X167 architecture, called MHA, or modular high architecture, is derived from Mercedes’ MRA modular rear-drive architecture.

http://www.germancarforum.com/threads/official-2013-mercedes-benz-gl-class.44059/page-11#post-687266

 

[Wolfgang]

The latest update. The facelift and new model may arrive sooner than expected.



The facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLS, previously known as the GL, has been spied winter testing with minimal camouflage ahead of an expected launched at the Detroit Motor Show 2015 in early January.

The Mercedes-Benz GL offroader has been in production in its current form since early 2012 and this facelifted variant will carry the car over until 2017 when the next-generation model is set to arrive. Alongside the name changes, the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLS will feature some styling changes.’

Most prominently, the Mercedes-Benz CLS will feature new bumpers at the front and rear, an updated front grille has been fitted as have tweaked headlights and taillights which on this test mule, are largely hidden under camouflage.

When the Mercedes-Benz GLS launches, it is expected to be available in GLS350, GLS400, GLS550 and GLS63 AMG variants. Additionally, a Mercedes-Benz GLS400 will be available with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine delivering 333 hp and making for a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 6.7 seconds and a 240 km/h top speed.

http://www.gtspirit.com/2014/12/16/upcoming-mercedes-benz-gls-spied-testing/

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Why are they messing with the front end? The GL has quite an attractive front end. Theres an aggression to it that's missing from the ML.

If the new model is due in 2017, this is going to have an unusually short model cycle of 5 years.

 

[Serpens]

If the new model is due in 2017, this is going to have an unusually short model cycle of 5 years.

Didn't the previous gen run from 2007-2012 in the U.S.? 2017 (U.S. model year 2018) sounds right to me.

 

[Wolfgang]

Cinnabar red metallic (paint code 151) is to end production in February for both the ML and GL. Once the GLE and GLS become available lateron in 2015, designo hyacinth red BRIGHT metallic may be offered instead.

Mercedes GL-Class cinnabar red metallic

http:///2014/12/ml-und-gl-ab-maerz-2014-nicht-mehr-in-zinnoberrot/

 

[tennmb]

The GL always shared at least some of its engines with the ML. And how has the air suspension been a constant source of frustration? I've had 2 generations and they've been fine. I also don't think the GL is overpriced, especially when you compare it to its closest American competition, the Cadillac Escalade. That being said, I do hope the GLS is more of a lifted S-class that can tow than what it is currently.

At least until the net generation the GLS wil be a rebadging coinciding with the facelift.
Most of the air suspension issues have been around 100k miles. The GL has one of the worst, if not the worse, resale values in its class. Even when compared to the Escalade. And that is part of where I'm making my critcism.

 

[Serpens]

At least until the net generation the GLS wil be a rebadging coinciding with the facelift.
Most of the air suspension issues have been around 100k miles. The GL has one of the worst, if not the worse, resale values in its class. Even when compared to the Escalade. And that is part of where I'm making my critcism.

Where are you getting your information? In the US the GL is actually projected to have comparatively good resale value, especially for diesel models. It does better than the Range Rover models and is right in line with Escalade/Audi Q7/Infiniti QX80 in the case of the GL450... and better in the case of the GL350. This is coming from Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. Truthfully the only vehicle that does particularly well in this class is the Lexus LX570 as far as resale value is concerned.

As far as the air suspension is concerned, I'd say not enough of the X166 generation has made it up to 100k miles to be citing "constant frustration" with the air suspension system.

 

[tennmb]

Where are you getting your information? In the US the GL is actually projected to have comparatively good resale value, especially for diesel models. It does better than the Range Rover models and is right in line with Escalade/Audi Q7/Infiniti QX80 in the case of the GL450... and better in the case of the GL350. This is coming from Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. Truthfully the only vehicle that does particularly well in this class is the Lexus LX570 as far as resale value is concerned.

As far as the air suspension is concerned, I'd say not enough of the X166 generation has made it up to 100k miles to be citing "constant frustration" with the air suspension system.

I've been a MB sales rep for going on 17 years.
Granted, we haven't seen enought X166 to know whether the suspension problems are there. But they were certainly a major negative with the previous version.

 

[Wolfgang]

^ TrueDelta has been tracking GL reliability since 2007. They usually post on owner sites. Latest update:

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008 GL-Class: 78, moderate, small sample size
2007 GL-Class: 169, high, very small sample size

http://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x164/183606-mercedes-benz-gl450-reliability-how-does-compare-6.html

 

[Serpens]

I've been a MB sales rep for going on 17 years.
Granted, we haven't seen enought X166 to know whether the suspension problems are there. But they were certainly a major negative with the previous version.

This is exactly why I asked. I believe anecdotal evidence should always be noted as such. Always nice to have a salesperson in the community though.

 

[Rainer271]

 

[Rainer271]

Mercedes-Benz GLS reportedly going on sale in December, deliveries start a month later
Should be unveiled in September at IAA
German media is reporting Mercedes-Benz will start taking orders for the GLS (GL facelift) in December this year.

Daimler's largest SUV is about to receive a mid-cycle refresh which aside from some minor visual tweaks it will also bring a name change as the GL will make the switch to the GLS moniker to better show it's similar in size with the S-Class. The latest rumor indicates Mercedes-Benz will open the order books in December and will kick off deliveries in January 2016.

Chances are the GLS will be officially unveiled in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show where it will bring slightly revised bumpers, different headlight & taillight graphics along with some minor tweaks inside the cabin. Speaking of the interior, Mercedes-Benz has already hinted a Maybach version is being considered and it will likely come with a stretched wheelbase creating a more spacious interior which will also get some very high-end features as seen in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, including individual rear seats.

We estimate the first official images of the Mercedes-Benz GLS will likely hit the web towards the end of August.

Source: http:///2015/04/aenderungsjahr-fuer-den-gl-x166-20151/

 

[DexterMorgan]

They should really wait until the next-gen release to rename this SUV. It might be the king of the SUV's in MB's lineup but it is in no respect an 'equal' to the S-class in refinement or exclusivity. I'm afraid changing the name mid-cycle to suggest this is an S-class equivalent of the SUV world may have a negative effect on the S-class.

 

[Serpens]

They should really wait until the next-gen release to rename this SUV. It might be the king of the SUV's in MB's lineup but it is in no respect an 'equal' to the S-class in refinement or exclusivity. I'm afraid changing the name mid-cycle to suggest this is an S-class equivalent of the SUV world may have a negative effect on the S-class.

I very seriously doubt that. The S-class has far too much name recognition on its own for this GLS to reflect on it.

 

[tennmb]

2016 DOG is showing and it mentions nothing about a facelift or any changes. Still showing "GL" as the nomenclature.