Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X166)

Last updated
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class/GLS (X166)
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 wagon (White), front left.jpg
2017 GLS 450 wagon (facelift)
Overview
Manufacturer Daimler AG
Also called Mercedes-Benz GLS (facelift)
ProductionJune 2012 – April 2019
Model years 2013–2019
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Full-size luxury crossover SUV [3] [4] [5]
Body style 5-door SUV
Layout Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (4matic)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,075 mm (121.1 in)
3,100 mm (122.0 in) (facelift)
Length
  • 5,125 mm (201.8 in)
  • 5,130 mm (202.0 in) (facelift)
Width1,934 mm (76.1 in)
Height1,850 mm (72.8 in)
Kerb weight 2,380–2,505 kg (5,247–5,523 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164)
Successor Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class (X167)

The X166Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a full-size luxury crossover SUV produced from 2012 to 2019. It is the second generation model in the GL-Class range, and was renamed GLS as of the 2016 facelift. [6]

Contents

Development and launch

Mercedes-Benz GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (X 166) - Frontansicht, 25. Mai 2013, Hilden.jpg
Mercedes-Benz GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (X 166) - Heckansicht, 25. Mai 2013, Hilden.jpg
2013 GL 350 (pre-facelift, Germany)

The X166 GL-Class debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show and later went on sale in September 2012. [7] Compared to its predecessor, the GL-Class is 10 mm (0.4 in) taller, 14 mm (0.6 in) wider, 21 mm (0.8 in) longer, [8] and up to 100 kg (220 lb) lighter. [9]

Equipment

Standard equipment includes the COMAND system with a 5.8-inch display, LED headlights, [10] and an adaptive air suspension for up to 285 mm (11.2 in) of ground clearance. [11] Options include soft close doors, rear-seat infotainment displays, 20 and 21-inch wheel options, and an off-road package that adds an increased ride height, a skid plate, and a low-range gearbox. [12] The GL-Class is also available with driver assistance systems such as active cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring systems. [13]

Models

Petrol engines

ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
GL450

4MATIC

2013–2014 M278 DE46
4.7 L V8 twin-turbo
270 kW (362 hp)
@ 5,000–6,000 rpm
550 N⋅m (406 lb⋅ft)
@ 1,500–4,000 rpm
6.6 s
GLS450

4MATIC

2015–2019 M276 E30
3.0 L V6 twin-turbo
270 kW (362 hp)
@ 5,500–6,000 rpm
500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft)
@ 1,800–4,500 rpm
6.9 s
GL550

4MATIC

2012–2015 M278 DE46
4.7 L V8 twin-turbo
320 kW (429 hp)
@ 5,250 rrpm
700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft)
@ 1,800–3,500 rpm
5.2 s
GLS550 4MATIC2015–2019335 kW (449 hp)
@ 5,250–5,500 rpm
700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft)
@ 1,800–4,000 rpm
5.3 s
GL63 AMG2013–2015 M157 DE55
5.5 L V8 twin-turbo
410 kW (550 hp)
@ 5,500 rpm
760 N⋅m (561 lb⋅ft)
@ 2,000–4,500 rpm
4.9 s
GLS63 AMG2015–2019430 kW (577 hp)
@ 5,500 rpm
760 N⋅m (561 lb⋅ft)
@ 1,750–5,250 rpm
4.6 s

Diesel engines

ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
GL350
BlueTEC
2012–2015 OM642 LS DE30
3.0 L V6 turbo
190 kW (255 hp)
@ 3,600 rpm
620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft)
@ 1,600–2,400 rpm
7.9 s
GLS 350d

4MATIC

2015–20197.8 s

GL 63 AMG version

2017 GLS 63 AMG (facelift) 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 63 AMG (X 166) wagon (2018-09-17) 01.jpg
2017 GLS 63 AMG (facelift)
2017 GLS 63 AMG (facelift) rear 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 63 AMG (X 166) wagon (2018-09-17) 02.jpg
2017 GLS 63 AMG (facelift) rear

The GL63 AMG was introduced at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. [14] It features a hand-built twin-turbocharged 5.5 L V8 that produces 410 kW (550 hp) and 760 N⋅m (561 lb⋅ft). It is mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS semi-automatic transmission, with Efficiency, Sport, and Manual modes. [15] Additional features include upgraded brakes, a sports exhaust, AMG exterior and interior styling, 21-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, and an air suspension system that automatically lowers the car at higher speeds. [16] The engine was updated in 2016 and now produces 430 kW (577 hp) and 760 N⋅m (561 lb⋅ft). [17]

2016 facelift

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 350d (X 166) 4MATIC wagon (2017-11-18) 01.jpg
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 350d (X 166) 4MATIC wagon (2017-11-18) 02.jpg
2017 GLS 350d (facelift, Australia)
GLS 350d interior (facelift) Mercedes-Benz GLS350d 4MATIC Sports (X166) interior.JPG
GLS 350d interior (facelift)

The facelift was unveiled in November 2015 with production beginning from January 2016. [18] The GL-Class model range was renamed to GLS to correspond with the new Mercedes naming scheme. [19] The exterior now featured full LED tail-lights and a revised front fascia with updated LED headlights, grille, and bumpers. [20] The Guardian described it as "a laughably outsized car" and went on to say "it's amazing, but sooner or later, we'll all end up paying for this sort of unfettered excess. The car is epic in dimension and ability, but it’s stunted in terms of its awareness of its place in our world." [21] New exterior paint colours and alloy-wheel designs were also introduced.

Interior changes include a revised instrument panel and new 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, [22] as well as an upgraded free-standing 8-inch COMAND system display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. [23] GL500 and GL63 AMG models received performance improvements, and the 7-speed automatic was replaced by the 9-speed 9G-Tronic transmission. [24]

Sales figures

The following are the sales figures for the X166 GL-Class: [25] [26]

Note: 2012 sales figures include the previous generation model.

YearEU salesUS sales
20121,57326,042
20134,82929,912
20144,18726,597
20153,75327,707
20165,36130,442
20174,53732,248
20183,53421,973
Total:27,774194,921

Awards

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