Mercedes SUV GL550 | ML550



Mercedes SUV GL550 | ML550

Mercedes SUV GL550 | ML550




Mercedes SUV

Mercedes SUV




Mercedes SUV GL550

Mercedes SUV GL550




Mercedes SUV GL550 | ML550

What you need to know about Mercedes-Benz's new GL550: There are no plans for an even more powerful AMG version ofthis seven-passenger SUV. Next need-to-know: The GL550 grille's three-pointed star is Mercedes's biggest ever, saveperhaps for those on Mercedes buses and semis and Unimogs. Can't wait to see how one looks around 50 Cent's neck. Mercedes unabashedly targets the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator with the North America-only GL550, even asCadillac tries to compete with Mercedes's passenger cars. This is that model's flagship, complementing the GL320CDIand GL450, neither of which gets the 550's dog-dish-size emblem or enlarged grille. Those are 21-inch five-spokeAMGs, just one inch shy of the 'Slade's optional wheels under fender flares unique to the 550, but infinitely more tasteful. The GL550 also comes with chrome roof rails and belt line molding, dual-split exhausts, skid plates, chrome load-sill protection, full-leather interior with a wood and leather steering wheel (all-leather if you choose the no-cost heated-rim option), heated front seats, rear view camera, ambient lighting, and, shared with the ML550, blue glass(not shown on either photography model).



Mercedes SUV GL550 | ML550

The ML550 replaces the ML500, with more subtle visual upgrades. Its exclusive features include all-season tires on 19-inch five-spoke AMG wheels, projector-beam foglights, AMG rear bumper, square dual-exhaust pipes, standardsunroof, and aluminum, rubber-studded runningboards. As on the outgoing ML500, the 550 further distinguishes itself from the ML320 with a chrome grille instead of a black one. Mercedes says that, with the added equipment, the ML550 represents a 6.1-percent-better value than theML500. Both ML and GL550 benefit from 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet, the torque peaking from 2800 to 4800 rpm, with similar fuel economy to the 335-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 GL and defunct 306-horsepower, 5.0-liter 24-valve M-Class.This is a right-size engine for the GL. It offers strong, linear acceleration without the neck-snap of an AMG model, but also with no hesitation. It does our 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year proud.



Mercedes SUV GL550 | ML550

The GL550 is much more firm and agile than any Escalade or Navigator, although the test-drive route included fairly smooth New England country roads. The 21s felt as if they could make the sport/utility just a bit too firm onrougher tarmac. Even so, this engine/trim package is just what the GL needs-a bit more presence and authoritative power, albeit with unimpressive fuel mileage. The smaller, tighter ML550 feels quick and downright spry with the newengine, while in a less-practical SUV package than the GL's. It takes a back-to-back drive to remind you that the ML is a much smaller SUV, sharing only the A-pillar and front doors as far as sheetmetal goes. Mercedes has suffered deserved criticism for spreading its AMG line through too many models, and the ML63 is a prime example. The ML550 is all the hot rod the M-Class needs to be, and it's a good argument for paring down the AMG linejust a bit further.






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