Mercedes-Benz: GLS-Class News
12-09-2005, 12:31 AM
#83
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Um. Like, ew? Totally? 
12-09-2005, 08:49 AM
#89
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Originally Posted by bgsm1th
How do you put in gear? 
There is a shifter lever on the steering column and you just tap it to change gears.....works well but still prefer a convential floor mounted setup.
That aside, the interior is just like the ML's which in person is really nice if optioned out with the premium package.
12-09-2005, 09:27 PM
#91
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A
B
GL
M
R
S
Putting out that many cars in such a short period of time is... inevitably gonna lead to failures. Even if some began R&D/production before the others, it's just too much. I can't tell you how many disappointed MB owners I know.
B
GL
M
R
S
Putting out that many cars in such a short period of time is... inevitably gonna lead to failures. Even if some began R&D/production before the others, it's just too much. I can't tell you how many disappointed MB owners I know.
12-10-2005, 01:11 AM
#95
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Tis a pity
I could not wait to open this thread when I saw it. However, I am incredibly disappointed in this product. I really, really like the new M-class, but this seems like an extended M-class, to me. The G-class used to be a grand, eye-catching SUV, that was not ashamed of what it was. It was a tank--a no non-sense, go anywhere, no expense spared, gas-guzzling, luxo barge SUV that was incredibly proud of it. The replacement leaves much to be desired.
The front end of this thing is the most attractive angle. It has the great lines of the M-class, but is just scaled up. I really like the chrome slats that highlight the fog-lamps on what appears to be a sport-package equipped GL. Further, the power domes on the hood are quite nice. I do miss the M-class grill, though I'm assuming they're going with the two-slat design in order to differentiate--that's fine, I can live with it. The headlamps are big and have a glare to them. All in all, the front-end design is good and authoritative.
But when we switch to the side profile, the whole theme goes hay-wire. The big, bulky, high-rising front end (that is befitting of a big SUV) appears to be slapped onto a sloping, fast-back imitating, quasi-SUV styling theme. The angles and all the lines look good, but the proportions seem all out of whack. Take for example the Trailblazer or Envoy--in their short-wheelbase form, these vehicles look pretty good. The EXTs, on the other hand, look dreadful. This vehicle is the same case. The wheels are spaced too far apart and the doors are WAY too big. I know that this is a long SUV, but it looks far too long and awkward. Further, I find the side body lines that sweep upwards conflict with the downward slope of the roof line, creating a discordant side-profile.
What makes the situation worse is that sloping rear roof line. It does not work for this vehicle. The slope is over-emphasized because of the sheer length of this thing and does not help making it look more dynamic. It makes the vehicle look wussy. If the roof line did not taper so much, I think the look would be much better--much more masculine and more imposing.
But probably one of my biggest gripes is the rear end. Proportions are all wrong once again. For having such substantial, massive headlamps, I feel the tail-lamps need to be of a larger size. These are two small and do not provide for the sense of power that the headlamps do. I think the tailgate and rear window (and sill) along with the bumper is great, but the tail lamps look too small, incredibly out of place and over-wrought. The size issue is quite apparent, for it appears that they had to add on reflectors or other lamps on the bumper (which are nicely integrated, however. I especially like the side-molding with integrated chrome strip that wraps around from the side. Nice touch. But that's all the praise I'll give the rear end. Just change those nasty tail lamps.
My final gripe on this design is the interior. If the interior picture was just shown to me by itself, I would not be able to distinguish it immediately from the M-class or the R-class. There is nothing ground-breaking about this design. It is simply a carryover, it seems. I fully understand the desire to maintain a family resemblance, and quite frankly I really like the idea, but variations on a design theme need to be made. Simply transplanting interiors into a new model just does not work. Give us something unique, Mercedes. It's not just going to take nicer materials to make buyers justify the price difference between this and an M-class. Even more, is the incredibly simple rear seating. The seats look plain and low. The head-restraint design (while convenient for the driver) look budget-conscience and do not invoke a feeling of luxury. What's with the exposed plastic pivot-points? And what's with the ventilation dome? Could the air ducts and outlets not be smoothly integrated? Seems like the engineers got lazy.
As you all can tell, I'm incredibly disappointed with this vehicle. Incredibly. My opinion is that they ruined a legend. Further, this is yet another product that leads me to see more and more that they are trying to be everything to everyone. That is not what the Mercedes philosophy used to be. A Mercedes used to be a Mercedes, and they did not care whether everyone liked that or not. It was not a vehicle for all people and that was the beauty of it. But now, the company is trying to create a certain kind of vehicle for everyone--a shotgun approach, if you will. In my opinion, Mercedes has essentially sold their soul to the devil for a few extra bucks. Quite disappointing.
So anyone at Mercedes, if you're reading this: you better start paying attention to what your people are saying. The loyalists are turning away from you guys one by one. You've been sliding for too long and are going to reap what you have sewn. Turn around before it is too late...
The front end of this thing is the most attractive angle. It has the great lines of the M-class, but is just scaled up. I really like the chrome slats that highlight the fog-lamps on what appears to be a sport-package equipped GL. Further, the power domes on the hood are quite nice. I do miss the M-class grill, though I'm assuming they're going with the two-slat design in order to differentiate--that's fine, I can live with it. The headlamps are big and have a glare to them. All in all, the front-end design is good and authoritative.
But when we switch to the side profile, the whole theme goes hay-wire. The big, bulky, high-rising front end (that is befitting of a big SUV) appears to be slapped onto a sloping, fast-back imitating, quasi-SUV styling theme. The angles and all the lines look good, but the proportions seem all out of whack. Take for example the Trailblazer or Envoy--in their short-wheelbase form, these vehicles look pretty good. The EXTs, on the other hand, look dreadful. This vehicle is the same case. The wheels are spaced too far apart and the doors are WAY too big. I know that this is a long SUV, but it looks far too long and awkward. Further, I find the side body lines that sweep upwards conflict with the downward slope of the roof line, creating a discordant side-profile.
What makes the situation worse is that sloping rear roof line. It does not work for this vehicle. The slope is over-emphasized because of the sheer length of this thing and does not help making it look more dynamic. It makes the vehicle look wussy. If the roof line did not taper so much, I think the look would be much better--much more masculine and more imposing.
But probably one of my biggest gripes is the rear end. Proportions are all wrong once again. For having such substantial, massive headlamps, I feel the tail-lamps need to be of a larger size. These are two small and do not provide for the sense of power that the headlamps do. I think the tailgate and rear window (and sill) along with the bumper is great, but the tail lamps look too small, incredibly out of place and over-wrought. The size issue is quite apparent, for it appears that they had to add on reflectors or other lamps on the bumper (which are nicely integrated, however. I especially like the side-molding with integrated chrome strip that wraps around from the side. Nice touch. But that's all the praise I'll give the rear end. Just change those nasty tail lamps.
My final gripe on this design is the interior. If the interior picture was just shown to me by itself, I would not be able to distinguish it immediately from the M-class or the R-class. There is nothing ground-breaking about this design. It is simply a carryover, it seems. I fully understand the desire to maintain a family resemblance, and quite frankly I really like the idea, but variations on a design theme need to be made. Simply transplanting interiors into a new model just does not work. Give us something unique, Mercedes. It's not just going to take nicer materials to make buyers justify the price difference between this and an M-class. Even more, is the incredibly simple rear seating. The seats look plain and low. The head-restraint design (while convenient for the driver) look budget-conscience and do not invoke a feeling of luxury. What's with the exposed plastic pivot-points? And what's with the ventilation dome? Could the air ducts and outlets not be smoothly integrated? Seems like the engineers got lazy.
As you all can tell, I'm incredibly disappointed with this vehicle. Incredibly. My opinion is that they ruined a legend. Further, this is yet another product that leads me to see more and more that they are trying to be everything to everyone. That is not what the Mercedes philosophy used to be. A Mercedes used to be a Mercedes, and they did not care whether everyone liked that or not. It was not a vehicle for all people and that was the beauty of it. But now, the company is trying to create a certain kind of vehicle for everyone--a shotgun approach, if you will. In my opinion, Mercedes has essentially sold their soul to the devil for a few extra bucks. Quite disappointing.
So anyone at Mercedes, if you're reading this: you better start paying attention to what your people are saying. The loyalists are turning away from you guys one by one. You've been sliding for too long and are going to reap what you have sewn. Turn around before it is too late...
Last edited by SPUDMTN; 12-10-2005 at 01:14 AM.
12-10-2005, 09:58 AM
#99
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Originally Posted by JeffS
Exactly! I don't see the point of the GL with the ML and the R class. 
The R class is not an SUV and the ML only has 2 rows.
Also, stop comparing the GL to the Glass.........2 different vehicles, 2 different price ranges.
And as stated, the Gclass will remain in production.
12-10-2005, 10:36 AM
#100
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I think it looks good and if I needed a large SUV this would be the one. I never liked the G-class, it looked like a box and shouldn't have been sold in MB showrooms. Also, a bunch of posers bought the car.
12-10-2005, 01:02 PM
#101
Originally Posted by SPUDMTN
.......So anyone at Mercedes, if you're reading this: you better start paying attention to what your people are saying. The loyalists are turning away from you guys one by one. You've been sliding for too long and are going to reap what you have sewn. Turn around before it is too late...
oh and they have not killed the g series box either...so dont compare the two.
12-10-2005, 11:29 PM
#102
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Originally Posted by zeroday
no one at mercedes is gonna see this here; you may want to email them
oh and they have not killed the g series box either...so dont compare the two.
oh and they have not killed the g series box either...so dont compare the two.
2. Production for the G-class has only been extended...maybe another year or two? Then what? A short-wheelbase GL-class under the G-class moniker? This is inevitable, for the German military probably does not even rely on the G-class anymore, for the G has become a posh luxo-cruiser, and is no longer a rough and tough military vehicle.
12-10-2005, 11:54 PM
#103
Originally Posted by SPUDMTN
2. Production for the G-class has only been extended...maybe another year or two? Then what? A short-wheelbase GL-class under the G-class moniker? This is inevitable, for the German military probably does not even rely on the G-class anymore, for the G has become a posh luxo-cruiser, and is no longer a rough and tough military vehicle.
the g class is popular because of it's utilitarian style. mercedes knows this; which is why they kept it around. unless you have evidence to the contrary its way to early to start assuming things.
12-11-2005, 12:33 AM
#105
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The Previous G was better in my opinion. the design was utilitarian and purposeful, but alas nowadays Mercedes are more about styling (solely for looks) than design( about the tru purpose of the car. The previous G was a darling among governments for their utility, i think MB is out of that market for that segment...
12-11-2005, 01:17 AM
#106
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Originally Posted by BUD001
The Previous G was better in my opinion. the design was utilitarian and purposeful, but alas nowadays Mercedes are more about styling (solely for looks) than design( about the tru purpose of the car. The previous G was a darling among governments for their utility, i think MB is out of that market for that segment...
12-11-2005, 09:45 AM
#109
Originally Posted by SpeedyV6
I can't believe that Mercedes thought that a picture of this thing towing a trailer with a poorly fitting door would help sell the car.
12-11-2005, 09:47 AM
#111
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by zeroday
that's a door awning/gutter to prevent rain from sliding down the roof and coming in the door.
12-11-2005, 09:53 AM
#113
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by zeroday
you knew what it was yet you thought it was a poorly fitting door? 
Besides, look at the seams on the right side of the door.
12-11-2005, 09:57 AM
#115
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by zeroday
who knows. btw i dont think thats an airstream. looks like it may be some german brand.
12-11-2005, 11:22 AM
#116
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Originally Posted by zeroday
read the thread people. it's been mentioned several times already.
THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE G CLASS.
THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE G CLASS.
However, it only seems logical that Mercedes is setting us up for what is to come. Why else would they even associate this thing with the legendary G-moniker?
12-11-2005, 11:30 AM
#118
Originally Posted by SPUDMTN
However, it only seems logical that Mercedes is setting us up for what is to come. Why else would they even associate this thing with the legendary G-moniker?
.
12-14-2005, 09:39 PM
#120
_____ like a rabbit
Originally Posted by chungkopi
and that's the worst MB interior i've ever seen
ML-Class:
R-Class:
Gl-Class:
