Mercedes-Benz Debuts All-New 2013 GL-Class, Says it's the S-Class of SUVs

Mercedes-Benz has officially taken the wraps off its all-new 2013 GL-Class at the New York International Auto Show. The German brand's new seven seater model is being described by Mercedes as the S-Class of SUVs.

“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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First Official Photos of 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

For those who just can't wait a couple of days until Mercedes-Benz formally drops the covers off the all-new 2013 GL-Class at the New York Auto Show, official images popped up on the internet today affording us our first view of the German firm's next generation full-size SUV.

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 to Drop R-Class from its U.S. Lineup, Officially Confirms New GL SUV for NY Show

It's official: some seven years after the presentation of the U.S.-built R-Class, Mercedes-Benz's multi-purpose crossover model will be gradually phased out in the States as there won't be a 2013 model, however, it will continue to be offered in overseas markets.

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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