However, one particular owner of the previous generation GL-Class had no need for the extra seats and was looking for a way to up the luxury ante for the rear passengers. Here is where Bulgarian design studio Vilner stepped in.
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A limousine maker is a firm believer of the power that lies behind the Mercedes-Benz logo, despite the fact that the car has nothing to do with the Stuttgart-based company's models.
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On the brand-new model front, we have the next GL-Class 7-seat crossover that goes on sale in September with a choice of four engines including a 240hp V6 diesel, while the range-topping GL65 AMG with 550hp will follow early next year.
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The 2013 GL63 AMG is scheduled to go on sale in mainland Europe this November and in the UK, the U.S. and other markets around the world in the first quarter of 2013, with pricing details for each country to be released closer to the SUV's on-sale date.
The zippy people carrier sports the same 5.5-litre V8 biturbo gasoline engine found in other AMG models such as the ML63 AMG SUV and SL63 AMG roadster. The direct-injection unit is rated at 550hp (557PS) at 5,250-5,750 rpm and 760Nm (560 lb-ft) at 2,000-5,000 rpm.
Power is transferred to all four permanently driven wheels by an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.
The GL63 AMG completes the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.9 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h (155 mph).
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“The new GL-Class occupies the top position amongst luxury SUVs," says Joachim Schmidt, vice president of the Mercedes brand. "With its comprehensive assistance systems it has a pioneering role where safety and comfort are concerned, and is on a par with an S-Class – even off the beaten track."
At 201.6 inches (5,120mm) long, 84.3 inches (2,141mm) wide and 72.8 inches (1,849mm) tall, the latest generation of the GL is slightly longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces, but it rides on the same wheelbase (121 inches or 3,073mm). Despite the increase in exterior dimensions, Mercedes says the GL is lighter than its predecessor.
The exterior styling is an evolution of the previous model and combines a similar front end design to the new ML with a boxy rear-end. Notably, a small kink makes its appearance on the side window while the new GL also sports much larger and more pronounced tail lamps.
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The luxury crossover model is based on the latest M-Class featuring a longer wheelbase to create enough space to place seven seats arranged in three rows.
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Mercedes-Benz USA spokesperson Chrisitan Bokich confirmed the news to Carscoop and added that company's three other SUV/crossover models including the GLK, M-Class and the larger GL, cover the market's needs.
"It's true that there will be no model year 2013 R-Class in the U.S. Over the years since the R-Class was introduced, we have expanded our light truck model offering significantly and these vehicles are outselling the R-Class to the extent that we can no longer make the business case for continuing to offer the R-Class," Bokich told us in an email today.
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