The Mercedes New York Auto Show premiers just keep on coming, with Mercedes-Benz USA announcing today that two new models - the GL550 and the ML550 - will both be entering the U.S. market.  Both models will be powered by the 5.5-Liter V8 found in the rest of the 550 family, and both will feature numerous options as standard equipment.

According to MBUSA: "With nearly all previous options now made standard equipment, the new GL550 comes with 21-inch AMG wheels fitted with all-season tires." As for the ML550, AMG styling including front and rear bumpers, 19" wheels with all-season tires and running boards are all standard.

While pricing has yet to be announced, we will of course keep you posted when additional details are released.  In the meantime, keep reading for the full press release detailing the U.S. debut of the ML550 and GL550.



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes-Benz GL550 and ML550 models Debut in New York

NEW YORK – The new Mercedes-Benz GL550 and ML550 models are making their debut at the New York International Auto Show, open to the public April 6-15, 2007 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The high-technology 5.5-liter V8 engine that powers many 2007 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars will now be available in two of the company’s popular sport utility vehicles.

With 14 percent more horsepower and torque, the fully equipped GL550 is joining the award-winning seven-passenger GL450, the first full-size SUV from Mercedes-Benz, and the recently introduced diesel-powered GL320 CDI model. The well-known five-passenger ML500 is being replaced by an ML550 model, which boasts a horsepower increase of more than 26 percent over the previous 5.0-liter V8.

A Totally New Mercedes-Benz Class

A totally new class of Mercedes-Benz for 2007, the GL won Motor Trend magazine’s well-known 2007 Sport Utility of the Year award as well as a 5Best Award in the Luxury Sport Utility category from Car and Driver magazine. The new GL550 comes fully loaded with the latest innovations in occupant safety and creature comforts. On the outside the GL550 distinguishes itself with a unique styling treatment that includes fender flares, chrome trim, blue-tinted glass and a powerful execution of the Mercedes-Benz star integrated into the front grille.

The GL-Class also features four-wheel independent suspension and height-adjustable Airmatic suspension for unprecedented comfort and handling. With nearly all previous options now made standard equipment, the new GL550 comes with 21-inch AMG wheels fitted with all-season tires.

AMG Styling for the ML550

The 2008 ML550 gets AMG styling, including front and rear bumpers, 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and running boards, all as standard equipment. Beneath its sleek exterior is a unit body platform and four-wheel independent suspension that deliver impressive on-road driving performance and comfort. Useful technology abounds in the M-Class, including a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel-drive, four-wheel traction control and optional features such as height-adjustable AIRMATIC air suspension.

All-Aluminum 5.5-Liter V8 Power

The new GL550 and ML550 are powered by a 5.5-liter all-aluminum V8 in produces 382 hp and 391 foot-pounds or torque, with maximum torque available from 2,800 to 4,800 rpm, providing impressive engine response over a broader RPM range. Not only does the 5.5-liter V8 come with four valves per cylinder, but the high-tech engine also features double overhead camshafts in each cylinder bank and variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust valves. The new engine also has “tumble flaps” in the intake for better fuel economy and an electronically controlled two-stage intake manifold that broadens the power curve.

Variable Valve Timing and Tumble Flaps Improve Fuel Efficiency

Valve timing is automatically adjusted by electro-hydraulic vane-type adjusters on the end of each camshaft. At partial throttle, the adjusters keep the exhaust valves open as the intake valves are opening, using this valve overlap for internal exhaust gas recirculation, reducing exhaust emissions and improving fuel economy. Approaching full throttle, the camshaft adjustment optimizes valve timing for maximum power.

Tumble flaps in the intake passages near the combustion chamber pivot open under partial load, improving combustion by creating additional turbulence around the intake valve and in the combustion chamber. During higher engine loads such as full throttle, the tumble flaps are completely recessed in the wall of the intake manifold. While better combustion helps improve engine torque, the primary purpose of the tumble flaps is to further increase fuel economy, and tests show that the tumble flaps indeed boost gas mileage by nearly two percent.

While variable valve timing gets a lot of credit for the engine’s unusually broad torque curve, a two-stage magnesium intake manifold plays a key role as well. Below engine speeds of 3,500 rpm a set of flaps in the manifold close off short intake passages, forcing intake air to take a much longer route into the engine. This creates pressure waves that help the intake process and improve torque. At higher engine speeds the flaps open and intake air flows the shortest distance to the combustion chambers, helping to make more horsepower.

Rich, Sporty Interiors with Flexible Cargo Space

The interior of the GL is fitted with real wood trim, 8-way power front seats and a stationary rear sunroof over the third-row seats. The two third-row seats can be stowed electrically at the push of a button, either separately or together, to provide a totally flat cargo floor for 43.8 cubic feet of cargo, and with the second row seats stowed as well, there’s more than 83 cubic feet of cargo room.
The M-Class cabin features a sport-oriented instrument panel, a multi-function steering wheel and rich interior materials. Up to 72.4 cubic feet of flexible cargo room provides ample space for anything from luggage and shopping bags to antiques and sports equipment. An easy-to-operate, fold-down rear seat is split 60/40 so that one or two people can ride in the back, even when the vehicle is loaded with long objects such as bicycles or lumber. Two convenient options makes loading and unloading easier – a power liftgate and a storage system that features an adjustable bar to secure cargo of varying size and shape.

Mercedes-Benz Safety is Standard

Both the 2007 M-Class and GL-Class lines come standard with ESP stability control, ABS anti-lock brakes, two-stage adaptive air bags for the driver and front passenger, door-mounted side air bags in front and rear, curtain side air bags and adaptive belt tensioners and belt force limiters. A rollover sensor can activate the belt tensioner and curtain air bags if the vehicle senses an imminent rollover.

The ML350 gets a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and has been designated a “Top Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Mercedes-Benz Alabama Plant

The M-Class and GL-Class sport utility vehicles (along with the six-passenger R-Class) are produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which began production in 1997 with the first-generation M-Class. Since 2001, more than $600 million has been invested to expand the facility for production of the three SUV lines.

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