New Mercedes-Benz GL-Class officially unveiled

[SDNR]

If you guys can't get past the fact that these cars are assembled here in the states, I'm afirad it's going to be a very hard road for you in the future...

Stuttgater, I couldn't care less where they were built as long as the quality is up to true Benz standard.

As far as Mercdes design goes, I'm certain that there was large American input in the design of the M, R, and GL class vehicles - I'll do some research

 

[Merc1]

Since when was it designed here????? I'd really like to know??? It's amazing how backwards you guys have it, the parts are all made in Germany, then shipped here for assembly. That's all, this is thorugh and through a German car. Period. If you're gonna label the GL, ML, & R "American", you might as well do the same w/ the X5 & Z4. If you guys can't get past the fact that these cars are assembled here in the states, I'm afirad it's going to be a very hard road for you in the future.. as costs of production rise in such places as Germany, companies are forced to build their cars elsewhere where the labor is cheaper, just another form of cost cutting that none of us can do a thing about. In all honesty this is like nit picking over a very irrelevant and trivial matter. I'm more concerned w/ how the car drives.

You're right about it not being designed in America, but the part about the parts you're incorrect. The parts are sourced from American suppliers. MBUSI See Here , different from MBUSA has a complete supplier park set up on site just like any other factory here. They have some German suppliers of course, but many American ones also. It wouldn't make sense to just ship all German parts over here, that would be knock-down kit style production which is what MB and others do in China. Where the entire car is literally shipped in boxes/pieces and put together somewhere else. Well that is what MB did up until recently I see.

I have no problem with where a Benz is built, because as they say a Big Mac fried in Russia is still an American sandwich. My problem is that Mercedes hasn't been able to produce the same build quality here in the U.S as it does in Germany/Europe.

My problem with the R and M should be obvious to those who really have experienced all of MB's products. The build just isn't the same. Not saying it is bad, but when you look at SUVs from Land Rover, VW, and Lexus it becomes clear that MB is still trying to save a buck or to. The GL for what they'll likely charge for it should have had a better interior than the ML. Look at the Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

You're right it is still a "German" vehicle, but some of the trim pieces and interior design elements say otherwise.

M

 

[SDNR]

Mercedes Benz Advanced Design (MBAD) in Irvine, California was set up in 1990 - and it doesn't take great perception to see their influence on Mercedes designs since.

Okay, the design team of original ML was headed, of course, by Bruno Sacco - but the vehicle was very much intended for the American market - you simply can not tell me that the American MBAD didn't play a major role in it's design.

The ML replacement head designer was British-born Steve Mattin.

There is a strong American influence in the design of several Mercedes vehicles - particulatly the SUV's which are of course largely intended for that market.

Daimler-Chrysler have "Avanced Design Centres" located in The USA, Japan, and Italy.

 

[Deutsch]

Roberto,

With all due respect, I think you're rambling on needlessly. If you dont' like the way the car looks, you don't like how it looks, its becoming trying to read your posts over and over again about the "Americanization" of the design of MB cars. Stated once, needless to state it again and again.

To add further, BMW has several design studios throughout the world, one of which is in the U.S., Designworks U.S.A., where several BMW's, both past and current have been designed. This includes the E46 3er and the X3(dont' know the chassis code), and neither of those cars look anything American, at all. I think its more a question of design elements rather than geographic location of coneception of the idea, whether it be in the form of design, engineering, etc.

 

[SDNR]

I don't believe I have "complained" about the "Americanization" of Mercedes-benz for quite some time Stuttgarter - however, it is an issue that several Mercedes fans are interested in and have strong opinions about.

Also BMW are just as "Americanized" as Mercedes IMO - I have never said that was a "bad" thing..per se, just that much of the tradition of Mercedes is perhaps being watered-down at bit - it's all just a matter of opinion though.

 

[Deutsch]

it's all just a matter of opinion though.

Indeed.

 

[ZicZachZo]

I think if anything Mercedes has changed more because of competitors like Lexus and Infiniti, and tried their best or perhaps just did what little they wanted to to become more like them in terms of offering better stereos, and more cup holders, or just cup holders period. Something that was non existent in a Benz not too long ago. Lexus and Infiniti and Acura are Americanized in every way shape and form. They provide fatty Americans with the things that most of us love, excellent stereos easy to use navis, lots of cup holders, soft leather, cushy seats for our fat asses etc. In terms of design... I dunno.. That's really hard to say... I mean was the GL class designed with the American market in mind... Duh, there is no doubt about that. Of course it was. It's going to be released here first so it's obvious this is the most important market for the car.

 

[SDNR]

Yes..all good points there ZicZachZo

 

[Sayyaaf]

ZicZachZo: absolutely right ...

 

[Vivaki]

I know the cars been officially unveiled but here's some up close spy pics:

http://www.hadel.net/autos/html/d_pkw_mercedes_gl500_erlkonig01.html

 

[tennmb]

I'm really curious to know in what way you think the M/R are better "quality" than the E-Class?

Well, since I have been selling them for over 7 years all I do is demo and study these cars 8 to 10 hours a day. I am not saying the E quality is bad. It is not. But the M and R have really high quality materials The M has used new methods of sound deadening that are not used in the current cars. The new S will have it. I have driven the new S and it is impressive, but isn't any quiter than the ML and the ML has a much higher profile. Despite the improvements on the new S there are still areas of concern. The sunvsiors and rear vanity mirrors show obvious cost cutting.
My opinion is strictly based on dealing with these cars professionaly every day.

 

[Merc1]

Well, since I have been selling them for over 7 years all I do is demo and study these cars 8 to 10 hours a day. I am not saying the E quality is bad. It is not. But the M and R have really high quality materials The M has used new methods of sound deadening that are not used in the current cars. The new S will have it. I have driven the new S and it is impressive, but isn't any quiter than the ML and the ML has a much higher profile. Despite the improvements on the new S there are still areas of concern. The sunvsiors and rear vanity mirrors show obvious cost cutting.
My opinion is strictly based on dealing with these cars professionaly every day.

Well I'd have to drive them all back to back to see. If there is any signs of cost cutting the new S Mercedes should be ashamed of themselves. I'll know in a week or so when I get to see the S in detail.

I really don't have a problem with the M/R being noisy or anything, their construction just doesn't feel the same as the German made Benzes to me.

M

 

[Merc1]

Short GL-Class video:

GL-Class

M

 

[ZicZachZo]

Hmmmm, ok I got to thinking and do you think that this new 450 engine will replace the ML500 and E500 and R500 as a replacement for the old 5.0 liter V8???

 

[Deutsch]

Hmmmm, ok I got to thinking and do you think that this new 450 engine will replace the ML500 and E500 and R500 as a replacement for the old 5.0 liter V8???

Of course it will.

 

[Merc1]

Actually the ML500, R500 and E500 will all get the new 5.5L V8 and become 550 models, at least in the U.S. Not sure if there will be 450 models of these cars since there really is no need for 2 V8s in the E-Class.

M

 

[Sayyaaf]

Actually the ML500, R500 and E500 will all get the new 5.5L V8 and become 550 models, at least in the U.S. Not sure if there will be 450 models of these cars since there really is no need for 2 V8s in the E-Class.

M

IMO yes it is not necessery to offer 2 V8s in the E-Class, but if the competition is already offering 2 V8s then why not ? 5 series is already offering 540 and 550 .. A6 will have V8 4.2 and a V10 5.2 .. so it is really shameful to have only a 5.5 V8 for the E-Class as a non-AMG model ..

 

[Merc1]

IMO yes it is not necessery to offer 2 V8s in the E-Class, but if the competition is already offering 2 V8s then why not ? 5 series is already offering 540 and 550 .. A6 will have V8 4.2 and a V10 5.2 .. so it is really shameful to have only a 5.5 V8 for the E-Class as a non-AMG model ..

I guess you're right, but I worry about the price of the E550 here in the U.S. if they try and slot a E450 below it. The E-Class is already too expensive here compared to its rivals, but it still came in second to the equally pricey 5-Series in sales for 2005. Amazing is you ask me.

I suspect an E450 will be a Europe only model if it is produced.

M

 

[Merc1]

From MBUSA:












I hate those gaps between the buttons and the wheel hub!





M

 

[LaArtist]

wow that cage is huge you can hava a monkey in there..
Maybe a car for the crocodile hunter