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I wish I had gotten a chance to drive this car myself..

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec – Review and Road Test


by Dan Collins

Mercedes introduced the GL-Class (GL is short for light Geländewagen, German for off-roader) in 2007, larger and wider than the M-Class and with true seating for seven, and tamer than the military-spec G-Class, first as the V8 powered GL450, then later adding a higher-performance V8 and the time-tested 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel. In the last five years, the GL has gained a few new competitors including the Audi Q7 and the Infiniti QX56, in addition to the large, American truck-based SUVs that created the segment decades ago. Mercedes hopes that the increases in power, features and size will keep the GL at the top of its class, and then some.

The second-generation, X166 GL-Class was introduced earlier this year at the New York International Auto Show, and was launched in September with a choice of two gasoline V8s. The GL350 BlueTec, just making its way to dealerships now, comes with the upgraded, 240-horsepower V6 turbo diesel that is already in the ML350 BlueTec SUV and the S350 BlueTec sedan. The absurdly powerful GL63 AMG will follow in 2013. I managed to get my hands on a Diamond White GL350 BlueTec a little bit early, and have some things to say about it. …

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