Mercedes-Benz GL500 Reviews

We Aussies love our V8s. The history books say it, the Bathurst fans say it, and now there are more than 500 cash-paid deposits for the GTS from Holden Special Vehicles that prove it.The overwhelming support for the supercharged 6.2-litre Big Dog, and the rest of the HSV pack that's romping to a sellout V8 success of more than 3000 cars in 2013, shows there is still a place for old-school muscle in the modern world.But not at Nissan, where the all-new, petrol V8-powered Patrol is a disaster. Things are so bad that the geriatric superseded model is continuing alongside the newcomer and still finding plenty of friends.Nissan dealers have a backlog of unsold 5.6-litre V8 heavyweights and there is a growing backlash from long-term Patrol fans who cannot see the point in the company's new off-road flagship. It's nicely cushy, but it costs anywhere from $82,690 to $114,490 - a sharp jump from $53,890 to $57,390 for the old one - and there is no diesel engine.It's not just that, as the new Patrol also arrived in Australia more than 18 months late and - because development was focussed on wealthy Middle East buyers with no petrol paranoia - carrying the sort of specification that only works for a very limited number of people who are probably more interested in a Porsche Cayenne or Benz GL.Nissan has only sold 1600 of the new Y62-series Patrols this year and, to put that into perspective, more than 6000 people have driven away smiling in a new Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series in the same period.Nissan even resorted to a $1500 petrol voucher for a while to try and get things moving, but that's only 1000 litres - give or take, mostly take - in today's world, and the hulking Patrol can easily guzzle at 25 litres of unleaded for every 100 kilometres under the treads if you're towing something big or crawling off the blacktop.So it seems V8 engines have become a case of horsepower for courses. They are still fine for HSV fans who want something fun and fast, and also for Mercedes-AMG buyers who want flashy and fast, but not for family-focussed suburban work, or towing and off-roading.Even the latest Range Rover, the current Carsguide champion in the top-end SUV stakes, is most popular with a turbodiesel V8 despite prices that can balloon to $250,000. So, what makes the difference in the world of V8s? "I think there is a performance market still in Australia, and people want great cars," the head of HSV, Phil Harding, tells Carsguide. "I think there is still a passion in Australia for V8 performance, and sporting saloons that deliver excitement. We're fulfilling a need and a demand."

An interesting feature of the new vehicle market is that 4WDs and SUVs have a significantly longer life cycle than cars. This reflects back to the days when they were based on light trucks, and truck buyers were more interested in running costs and practicality than in owning the last word in style.VALUEMercedes-Benz’s big GL-Class is a case in point. The upcoming new model we have just tested in Germany is a sensible update of the outgoing six-year-old model, not a totally new vehicle. Amongst other things this helps to keep the new price down and to slow the rate of depreciation. Facts that will be appreciated by the typically sensible person attracted to the GL-Class.Those who do want to get down and dirty in the dirt can tick the options box for the On&OffRoad package which provides under-run protection for the engine, fibre-reinforced underfloor panels, power transmission with reduction gears, a longitudinal differential lock and extended AirMatic functions. This vehicle has maximum ground clearance of 306 mm and a fording depth of 600 mm.Pricing and final equipment levels will be provided for the Australian market closer to the launch date, probably in June 2013.TECHNOLOGYPower for the GL 350 BlueTec is provided by a V6 diesel engine; a V8 petrol engine in the GL 500 BlueEfficiency gives lots more grunt; the new GL 63 AMG with V8 Biturbo petrol engine provides up to 410 kW of power and 1000 (yes, 1000!) Newton metres for the driver in a real hurry.The existing platform has been retained, but with quite a few modifications. As a start, 90 kg has been removed from its weight to assist in reduction in fuel use and emission of CO2. More about this in a moment.Despite the lower weight the body is even stiffer than before and, together with other sound dampening measures this makes for a more relaxed interior. The engineers put strong emphasis on comfort and quietness.DESIGNWhile the external body components are all new, they retain a strong resemblance to the superseded GL. The result is a large wagon that’s imposing without being aggressive in its stance. The squared off shape means the big Mercedes GL-Class has always been an immensely practical genuine seven seater.More interior width and height have been squeezed out of the new body. Though the GL can carry seven adults in reasonable comfort it’s probably best regarded as a family bus for mum, dad, a couple of teenagers and three smaller children. Just right for many a mixed family in Australia.The GL-Class does have an all-new interior with the latest Mercedes-Benz theme of simplicity and elegance. We really like the look and the excellent ergonomic layout of all the controls.SAFETYIt goes without saying that this Mercedes-Benz has many primary and secondary safety systems. In addition to the expected ESP and ABS units the GL is also fitted with Collision Prevention Assist and the drowsiness detector, Attention Assist. The big wagon can help the driver by using Steer Control in borderline driving situations, for instance by turning the steering wheel if the vehicle is oversteering.Crosswind Assist keeps the GL travelling in a straight line even in strong crosswinds. This makes for remarkably relaxing driving and we have tested it in big Benz sedans in Australia.DRIVINGAll our testing to date has been done on German roads, some of them pretty rough back sections. There the GL-Class was as quiet as a midsize sedan and it handled bumps and dips with ease. While we can’t definitely comment on GL’s behaviour in Australia we feel confident it will handle our backroads just as competently.On the downside, the handling is on the soft side and the steering, while competent enough, is relatively slow and easy in its actions. This is just right for the typical buyers of a SUV / people mover.We didn’t get a chance to drive the new AMG GL 63 version with sub five second times in the zero to 100 km/h dash and we are sure it’s suspension will be nicely firmed up to suit the revheads.VERDICTEven in Australia very few people buy SUVs for genuine off-road use so the emphasis in the standard model is on the GL-Class being an upper class people carrier.Mercedes-Benz GL350 CDIPrice: est. from $120,000Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService Interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TCCrash Rating: 5 starsEngine: 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel; 195kW/620NmTransmission: 7-spd auto; AWDThirst: 7.9L/100km; 202g/km CO2Dimensions: 5.1m (L), 1.9m (W), 1.9m (H)Weight: 2455kgSpare: space-saver

In a world filled with hulking SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz GL is a bit like a blue whale. It is an absolute giant, a litte shy, and rarely seen. The GL sits above the ML in the Benz lineup and comes with a LandCruiser-size body, seven seats, plenty of real-world off-road ability, and plenty of potential as a tow machine.Sales are relatively modest in Australia, at less than 400 last year, but it has just had a value tweak with the sort of specification upgrade which gives more for the same money. It sits at the very top of the SUV world and it's impossible to think of the GL and not also put the Toyota LandCruiser - or its Lexus-badged clone - into the same sentence. There is also the Audi Q7 and a couple of others. Benz believes the GL is worth a look by the people who buy into LandCruiser land, even if the pricetag for a GL 500 will top $170,000 by the time you get it on the road."The luxury isn't just put on like a veneer over some sort of truck," says David McCarthy, spokesman for Mercedes-Benz in Australia. He says the GL hit its sales peak during its first year in 2007, but it is being revisited as a potential hero following the upgrade work. "It's been around for a while and its first year was its biggest year. But it's just had a bit of an update and improvement and we want people to have another look. The update is mostly about adding value."The GL is a full seven-seater wagon, has low-range gears, but also gets a full leather interior, a boom-box sound system, electric assists on everything you like and plenty of safety including a cabin packed with airbags. The engine choices are a turbodiesel and a V8, but the decision is obvious for the most people outside the ritzy suburbs."The majority of cars are delivered with the turbodiesel. It is bought as a family vehicle, and some off-roaders and grey nomads also like it," says McCarthy. "It's more capable off-road than almost all of its luxury rivals, and it's great for towing."DrivingI wanted to hate the GL, because it is so big and so outrageous. It also guzzles fuel at a rate around 17 litres for every 100 kilometres of forward motion. But it's like chocolate, and the more time I spent with it the more I liked it. I knew it was bad for me, and the environment, but I could not say no.The GL is quite a cushy drive, from the comfort of the seats to the way it crushes bumps. It's not like other heavyweight off-roaders, which tend to crash and bang their way down the road. In fact, it is one of the most car-like SUVs I've had through the Carsguide garage in recent times. Ok, so you always know it is massive and loaded but it's not hard to fire it up for a run to the coffee shop.I know it will go off road and tow a couple of horses, but I didn't need to prove it. It's a given for me, and the sort of people who have lots of money for a multi-purpose family SUV.So, what's not to like? Well, there is the thirst. And the first shock of a $118 bill to fill the tank, even when the petrol gauge still reads quarter-full. It's also a bit impractical if you want to carry seven people and stuff, because the luggage space behind the third-row seats - I love the electric assists - is pinched.But the GL is a vehicle, unlike Benz's other family seven seater the silly R-Class, that can make a lot of sense. It's not a real rival to a LandCruiser, but I can see lots of reasons to choose it ahead of a Lexus LX and, for me, it's way ahead of Audi's Q7.She says - Alison WardThe GL 500 has it all. It's spacious, has plenty of seats, lots of gadgets, it looks expensive and it is expensive. First looks suggest it is a gangster getaway car, but it could also be Mr and Mrs Smiths' runabout - from the Brangelina movie in 2005 - or something for a big family in the plush suburbs. However, once inside, you can see that this car has been tailored to suit almost anyone.  It's a great achievement for Mercedes, with an eye-catching two-tone look and tasteful, well-chosen features.The GL is very easy to drive, despite its grand size. Parking is easy thanks to the reversing camera and decent-sized rear window. I didn't feel as overwhelmed as I thought I would be. It handles beautifully, even over gravelly hills and muddy driveways.But I am surprised Mercedes went for the column-shift gear lever. I found it was easy to knock out of gear into neutral, which is not only annoying but a teensy bit dangerous.  Not the ideal situation for a car brand priding itself on high safety standards.The seating is fantastic, easy to use and are very comfy, but pram space in the back is limited if you really want to use all seven seats. And that surprised, and annoyed, me in a vehicle as big and comfy as this one.SCORE: 75/100THE BOTTOM LINE: A gentle giant you cannot help liking. Mercedes-Benz GL500PRICE from $168,900ENGINE 5.5-litre V8POWER 285kW at 6000 revsTORQUE 530Nm between 2800 and 4800 revsTRANSMISSION Seven-speed automatic, 4matic all-wheel driveFUEL CONSUMPTION 13.5/100km combinedEMISSIONS 322g/kmRIVALSLexus LX570: 74/100 (from $145,000)Range Rover Vogue: 77/100 (from $153,400)BMW X5 4.8: 72/100 (from $121,908)Porsche Cayenne 4.8 S: 68/100 (from $144,500)

The big, voluptuous, seven-seat GL500 4WD fulfilled their desires, dazzling them with its one-touch electric seat-fold feature and exhilarating them with some mud bathing in the bush. But there was some strident criticism as well. The most serious of these concerns third-row access to the luxurious American-built behemoth, which has not had its second-row seat-fold arrangements switched around to suit right-hand drive markets.Consequently, kids and parents alike are forced to use the potentially dangerous "traffic" side of the vehicle to (manually) fold and tumble the smallest portion of the bench seat to let people into the rearmost seat. The safer kerb-side section of the seat is heavy and cumbersome, folding flat but not tumbling forward for third-row access, while entering via the tailgate requires gymnastic feats – and a stronger luggage blind, which invariably gets used like a pommel horse.The kids discovered other issues, too. As they found with Audi's Q7 SUV, the electric tailgate (which has warning bells on the GL) can deliver a nasty blow to a curious onlooker before the impediment sensor kicks in.The mechanism that allows third-row passengers to exit the vehicle themselves can cause a hand injury if they fail to let go of the pull-strap. Vehicle sidesteps and grab-handles on the second and third pillars are also needed for better cabin ingress and egress.From the perspective of two primary school students and a pre-schooler, that is as bad as it gets in the otherwise splendid GL.There is an abundance of room in the two back seats, even for adults, as well as multiple-position headrests (suitable for tall people) and a couple of air vents and cupholders. Despite the absence of fore/aft movement, the second row is also spacious – and is fully catered for in terms of seat comfort, storage, stereo sound, reading lights, cup placement, power sockets and ventilation outlets and controls. Rear seat heaters are also included.Each third-row seat can be lowered or raised with a touch of a button from either the door or the tailgate area – again, both are on the undesirable right-hand side – and enable the luggage floor length to extend from 470mm to 1270mm. With the second row folded the cargo area increases to 1770mm, and with all configurations there is a flat floor created, tie-down hooks provided and the means to install a simple vertical cargo net.There seems to be another left-hand drive hangover for the driver in the cramped footwell (50mm narrower than the front passenger's), which, with the added burden of no footrest, can cause discomfort on long-distance touring. We're not fans of the foot-operated park-brake, either, or in the time it takes to master and use the central (Comand) interface for various onboard functions.Still, as should be the case in a $150,000 vehicle, there are features that settle the dust. These include an elegant cockpit area, sumptuous leather front seats, full electric seat adjustment (including bolstering), electric steering column adjustment, and DVD satellite navigation which can pinpoint the GL's location and the "road" travelled, even when deep in the bush on overgrown and almost impassable 4WD trails.Eight airbags, a sunroof and highly effective bi-xenon headlights (with a cornering function) are also standard on the GL500, however the third row is an extra $2900 (and 100kg) and a reversing camera $950. The latter is particularly offensive, especially in light of the GL's sheer size and its far too small exterior mirrors, both of which exacerbate the difficulties that can arise when parking and manoeuvring such a large vehicle.While city driving can be labour-intensive, the GL500 transforms into an effortless tourer on open roads outside the big smoke. Consciousness of the vehicle's size and 2.5-tonne kerb weight subsides, and attributes such as its exceptional refinement, inherent stability, ride comfort and strong engine performance come to the fore.Unlike the smaller ML-Class upon which the GL is based, the 500's V8 petrol engine used here is a new-generation 5.5-litre 32-valve V8 that produces 285kW at 6000rpm and 530Nm from 2800-4800rpm. It is a smooth, muscular, responsive and sonorous engine that combines in near-perfect terms with the seven-speed automatic gearbox – but consumes too much fuel. Our real-world test returned a 17.9l/100km average.As is now becoming the norm across the Mercedes range, the transmission lever is in the form of a steering wand, and manual shifts can be made via buttons on the back of the steering wheel. The latter can be awkward to use when steering lock is applied, although it works well in holding a selected gear without reverting back to drive and downshifting when the driver steps on the accelerator.Left to its own devices, the automatic's gearshifts come with smoothness and timeliness, although as we noticed in the ML it can, on occasion, produce some shift shock at low speeds.Also in a similar vein to the ML, the GL is a safe and predictable handler on winding roads, benefiting from a mechanical package which includes the proven 4Matic full-time 4WD, effective air suspension and adaptive damping systems, well-calibrated traction control nannies and, unique to the 500, 19-inch wheels on 275/55 R19 Michelin Diamaris tyres.Bodyroll is well contained in the heavy, high-riding SUV, the speed-sensitive steering is nicely weighted and accurate (if somewhat wooden), there's plenty of suspension control and comfort on rough roads (although the sports mode can be harsh here), braking performance is reassuring and the ABS bites into loose gravel surfaces with great effectiveness.We found the GL500 marched up inclines with assuredness, inched itself down steep hills with good control in either low-range or with the downhill speed regulation system (which can require some braking intervention), and crossed some heavily rutted and muddy terrain.

Cashed-up customers can more easily absorb sharp pump price rises and it shows.Mercedes-Benz is not too worried about oil prices as it introduces its biggest model, the GL four-wheel-drive wagon.It is the largest model in the German brand's range — bigger than the Range Rover Vogue and the huge Toyota LandCruiser.The Merc wagon is primarily a five-seater, but a third row of two seats can be ordered for $2900 to turn it into a luxurious people mover.At $103,900 for the entry-level diesel and $146,900 for the V8, few GLs are going to run far off the beaten track.Even so, they can easily conquer some tough off-road obstacles thanks to standard air suspension that rises on demand to give a maximum ground clearance of 307mm.That means brave drivers can plough through water up to 600mm deep.The GL's transfer case also lowers the gear ratio for low-speed work and mechanical differential locks for the rear and centre differential and electronic aids help driver go up and down steep hills.The GL runs a constant 4WD system on and off-road, hooked up to a standard seven-speed automatic transmission controlled with steering-wheel shift buttons.A 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powers the 320 CDI base model and has 165kW and 510Nm.It returns an official fuel economy figure of 9.7 litres for 100km of mixed city and highway driving and propels the GL from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. The more expensive GL500 runs a 5.5-litre V8 with 285kW and 530Nm.The official fuel consumption figure is higher at 13.9 litres for 100km, but the V8 means the GL500 can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds — incredible given its size and weight.The GL has a single body chassis, unlike workhorses such as the LandCruiser, which are based on a separate ladder frame. It is 2370kg with the diesel engine and an extra 5kg for the V8 and has a towing capacity of 3500kg if whatever you are towing has its own braking system, or 750kg if it doesn't.Standard safety gear for both GL models includes front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags for the middle row and window airbags for all three seats.They also have electronic stability control, traction control and anti-skid brakes.The GL's third row of seats can fold into the floor at the touch of a button. Folding down the second and third row of seats offers 2300 litres of load space, which is 2128mm long.Standard gear for the GL320 includes Mercedes Artico synthetic leather-look seats with electric adjustment, 18-inch alloy wheels, air-suspension, eight-speaker CD sound, wood grain, roof rails, cruise control, front armrests, luggage nets, parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, climate control airconditioning and tyre pressure indicator.Stepping up to the V8 GL500 adds 19-inch alloy wheels, rear climate control unit, bi-xenon headlights, premium display with DVD player and satellite navigation, Harmon Kardon Logic7 sound system, sunroof, premium woodgrain, leather trim for the seats and dashboard.Optional extras for both models include a TV tuner, rear DVD screens, voice recognition control, keyless entry and a reversing camera.VEHICLES like the GL Mercedes are anti-heroes for many road users. They're big, heavy and block forward vision for other motorists.The chances of most of these wagons going far off-road are only a little better than their owners joining a work-for-the-dole scheme.Their owners love them because they carry seven, are comfortable, look better than people movers, tow well and can go off-road.Despite the GL's impressive off-road capability, it only has a space-saver spare tyre.Having to fit the skinny rim after a puncture would ruin any country adventure, especially if the driver was far from a Mercedes dealer or tyre dealer stocking GL tyres.Mercedes says it is working on a system to carry a full-size spare on the rear hatch.Mercedes isn't alone here, the new BMW X5 seven-seater will use run-flat tyres with no spare at all. The five-seater will have a space-saver.Our test car was a GL500, which was impressive.There were some glitches with the GL, including the space-saver spare and the way it handled rough country roads and parking spaces, but the huge machine will please a lot of its owners.It's a comfortable, spacious vehicle.The V8 model is pricey, but you get a lot of metal for the money. Its thirst wasn't as bad as we thought and the V8 ran at 11 litres/100km on the highway, rising to about 13 to 14 litres/100km around the city.These figures aren't good when compared with a normal family car, but when your consider the GL's size, weight, brutal aerodynamics and slingshot performance, they start to look a lot better. The V8 engine is a cracker and has a lot of torque and a nice sporty note. We are big fans of the seven-speed automatic, which changes quickly and smoothly.Running up to Canberra and back to buy a rally car gave us a good chance to test the on-road ability of the GL. It's excellent when cruising on smooth roads. It glides over the tarmac, is quiet, the seats are comfortable and the sound system is brilliant.The rough highway roads just across the New South Wales border revealed the GL is not so good on the bumpy stuff.It feels loose, just like many other large 4WDs and you notice the big body wobble as it tries to cope with the broken surfaces.Around town, the GL is happy, though there is some traditional 4WD body roll. Flicking the adaptive suspension damping to Sport helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem.The cargo area is cavernous when you fold down the two rear rows of seats and there is sufficient headroom and legroom for all three rows.It's hard to park mainly because of its bulk. The parking sensors (with lights and buzzers) help, but it should come standard with a rear-view parking camera.For what it is, the GL is an impressive vehicle. But if you don't need to tow, go off-road or require all seven seats, we would still pick the better-handling and more efficient E-Class wagon.A huge, luxurious people mover that can (but probably won't) go off-road. Not as sensible as an E-Class wagon, but good for what it is. 

That Americans are unlike us should hardly come as hot news. It's just that sometimes the fact belts you in the face more forcefully than usual — such as when one contemplates the needs-its-own-postcode vastness of Mercedes-Benz's GL.Walking around a display model at Sydney Airport last week — an act that should not be lightly undertaken by the infirm of limb or fluttery of heart — en route to the launch in Queensland, the dimensions of the thing stun you.That, you might say, is one bastarding big SUV.If you were an American, however, what you might say is: "Hmm, that's kind of weeny next to my Hummer."Hence this pronouncement in an American SUV mag when the GL was launched there: "It doesn't look or feel like a full-size sport-utility vehicle. Even from outside, it appears smaller than any of the domestic full-size SUVs."Yet the GL is to most vehicles of its type what a Himalayan peak is to Mt Kosciuzsko. At more than 2.4 tonnes, it outweighs, by more than 250kg, even Merc's hardly flyweight ML-Class SUV.It's more than five metres long, nearly two metres high and wide.The reason for such behemoths is, as we know, largely to gratify our allies who, though comprising about one-eighth of the world's population, manage to consume more than 20 per cent of its resources.But as General Motors, KFC and Canberra know, what's good for America is good for us, too. Right?Except that the GL actually is.For a start, a lot of bollocks is talked about certain SUVs being seven-seaters. It's not unlike suggesting that, simply because there are two things shaped like chairs behind the driver's throne, Porsche's 911 must be a family car.In a more litigious society — America, for instance — certain SUV-makers who make the magic seven claim would be had up for false advertising.Yet, with its elongated frame and rear overhang that wouldn't disgrace a country pub verandah, the GL can seat seven people, without recourse to emergency services to get the back two out.Indeed, they enjoy what can be described as comfort, especially with the long, illuminating glass roof and theatre-style seating. They can even see the (optional) TV screens mounted in the back of the front-seat headrests.Maximum, all-seats-down storage space is 2300 litres — a virtual universe, accessed via an electronic tailgate.Even with the third row installed, there's room to put stuff. So leg space throughout is vastly better than in the M-Class, with a driving position that is — of necessity — commanding and comfortable. Not that the optional reversing camera shouldn't be standard, as are parking sensors.Need it be said that the cabin — redolent with double-stitched leather trim and organic, resin-free woodwork — defines luxury accommodation?All right, then. But all SUVs put away juice like a dipsomaniac emerging from a desert, don't they?Not when they're packing diesels as refined as the V6 CDI, which is capable of travelling 100km on less than 10 litres of the good oil and didn't go much over 12 litres per 100km last week when being shoved around on the off-road vehicle nirvana that is Fraser Island.Even the hammer-and-tongs 5.5-litre V8 of the GL 500 realised hardly unreasonable figures, as if anyone with $146,900 to spend on a V8 SUV could care.A slightly lesser petrol V8 is en route in 2007. We hadn't got a good look at the current V8 by publication time, so more next week on what our veteran off-road tour leader enthusiastically billed as a 4x4 limousine with attitude.The GL 320 diesel, which from $103,900 will be the big seller, certainly keeps its bigger bro honest. With 165kW and 510Nm, it makes 100km/h from a standing start in 9.5seconds, about three seconds after the V8.Although few GLs are likely to encounter in their owners' hands conditions more taxing than Chatswood Oval's parking lot, the thing can work off road, with a fully raised off-road setting of 307mm. The air suspension automatically drops to an aerodynamically friendly ride height at highway speeds, aided and abetted by the setting of sports mode.And the GL 320 came into its own when doing what something of this sheer mass simply shouldn't be able to: almost skimming through the sandy channels on Fraser Island with an ease that bordered on the contemptuous.And it did so without the suspension being raised to its fullest extent, nor the diff being locked at all.If the M-Class is an almost physics-defying lesson in how to move massive mounds of Mercedes with something that borders on deftness, then the GL provides the master class.Be the engine diesel or petrol, when mated to a superb, seven-speed sports automatic transmission that always finds the right ratio, the GL behaves in a way that should be more in keeping with something several weight divisions down in the SUV championship.Of course, being so tall and apt to tilt into corners, the GL can't match the poise of lighter contenders indefinitely, but that it stays in the hunt for so long seems little short of miraculous.Indeed, when pushing it on sealed roads, you'd be hard put to know that envelopes are being extended and that the air suspension and 4Matic all-wheel drive are working hard.But even a diesel this big-torqueing can do only so much in a vehicle of such bulk. Be very sure about overtaking before committing yourself beyond the point of no return.Equally, be sure just how much hard-earned you're prepared to spend.Although the V8 comes with most of the fruit one could reasonably want, that third row of electronically folding seats — surely the only reason you'd choose a GL over its less immodestly priced and sized rivals — costs $2900.To get decent-quality leather and even metallic paint in the diesel, you're looking at an extra $4K, before addressing the rest of the options list.Anyway, the GL is here. And though it's hardly likely to be a mass seller, you'll certainly know it when you see it.Still, you can't help but wonder if we shall see its like again.