Mercedes-Benz will be selling an brand new full-size SUV called the 2007 GL-Class beginning in May. This is not to be confused with the long-running and niche-oriented full-size G-Class already in its line-up, the GL-Class is an completely different vehicle and is not considered a replacement to the G-Class, which Mercedes-Benz says will stay in production.
The new GL-Class looks like a beefier version of the new midsize M-Class and like the M-Class is built on a car-like unibody, instead of a truck-like ladder frame. This gives it inherently better handling and performance on the road than traditional truck-based SUVs. In contrast, the old-school G-Class is a tank-like truck better suited to rough terrain than paved roads, despite having gained cachet as a luxury model in the U.S. over the past few years (it starts at $80,900).
Mercedes-Benz is finally getting ready to show off its first small SUV. After making efforts based on the tiny A-class and the Smart ForMore and rejecting a partnership with corporate cousin Jeep, Mercedes-Benz is using the next-generation C-class wagon as the basis for its small crossover, which it plans to call the GLK.
Some lucky people were able to catch the first actual prototype of Mercedes’ new compact SUV, the GLK-Class. The GLK will targete competitors such as the BMW’s X3 and Audi’s planned Q5.