Enter the G-Force

The luxury SUV segment in South Africa is caught in a "mine is bigger than yours" scenario. This segment is a playground of the Germans and, of course, one British challenger.

They all want to prove they are king of the jungle - who roars louder and who has the best endurance and speed.

Over the years we have seen the luxury SUV segment grow from strength to strength.

As we have done with many car launches, I flew to Durban to meet the new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

The GL-Class is something of! an unknown quantity in the Mercedes-Benz brand - perhaps because it's a niche vehicle aimed at those who have deeper pockets but still want something sensible.

The early morning flight touched down at King Shaka Airport at 8am for our meeting with the prince of the Mercedes range, the new GL-Class; this time adding a dessert menu - the new GL 63AMG joins the range.

What is it?

With the GL-Class, Mercedes-Benz appear to have a stake in every segment of the market just to show everyone they are the boss of automobiles.

The GL-Class is the ML-Class's bigger brother and it makes no apologies for its size. It is created for those who would like a luxury vehicle but do not want to compromise on space - the GL-Class obliges, with its extra row of seats.

The head honchos at Mercedes-Benz South Africa make no attempt to speak of the GL as a volume vehicle - they expect to sell only some 300 units a year.

How does look?

It really depends on which part of the horizon you're coming from.

Some people might think it's ridiculously big, while others might think body size is what makes the GL special, if not pretty.

But it does command attention. As a lover of big cars, be they SUVs or saloons, I am comfortable to give it the thumbs up.

You will be able to spot a GL-Class from a distance, thanks to its distinctive aggressive face and bling grille.

At first sight, the new GL-Class can be recognised as a typical member of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family.

At the front, the design is dominated by the GL's upright radiator grille with its central star and the clear design of the headlamps - the new Mercedes-Benz LED signature.

There are standard Intelligent Light System headlamps across the range.

What's it like to drive?

Show me one horrible Merc engine and I'll show you 10 high-performance Tata engines.

As expected from a Mercedes-Benz, all three motors we tried performed well. But, for me, the biggest surprise was the off-road capabilities of the new GL-Class.

We drove from Umhlanga to the Killarney 4x4 trail outside Durban. Although Killarney is not a large trail, it was enough to prove some sceptics wrong about the Merc's off-road capabilities.

While the GL's off-road ability might not be a match for the likes of the Range Rover, it is on the right track.

It successfully tackled some rough, rocky terrain that demanded genuine off-road ability. On tar the GL doesn't feel like the massive vehicle it is.

Entering corners at high speeds, you almost don't feel the weight as there is no body roll.

Driving on the freeways of zero tolerance, the GL kept asking to be pushed harder; but nobody wanted to see the inside of a KZN cop van.

When you overtake, this big mama sprints like a spring chicken, with no regard for that massive body.

The car is so silent at high speed I could hear my co-driver's breathing from the passenger seat.

This Merc proved itself off-road but I couldn't help wondering if someone buying this car would ever take it off-road.

It seems more likely this car will find homes in affluent suburbs but will never see mud again. Why order a fabulous car with expensive metallic paint and 19-inch rims and then go and scratch it?

Any special features?

Like the S-Class, this car is important to the German company, so they have specced it well. I didn't think they would bring a shell at over R900000 and ask customers to dress it.

Some of the standard features include the fully load-bearing air suspension system, AIRMATIC, with its adaptive shock-absorbing system (ADS) as well as a load recognition feature.

Compared to the previous model, the AIRMATIC ADS provides outstanding comfort with greatly improved handling, road-holding and driving dynamics.

For example, both the standard Crosswind Assist and the load recognition feature are able to compensate for varying driving conditions. The active tilting stabiliser, ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM, is optional on the GL 350 BlueTEC and standard on the GL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and GL 63 AMG.

Should you buy one?

If only you could see how I laughed while typing this. I always say, you'll buy any car regardless of what I say about it. That's human nature.

In the case of the GL, it boils down to your pocket. If you are a middle-aged man or woman with half-a-dozen children, the GL would be a logical purchase over the ML.

Or if you have millions stashed away somewhere and are in the market for another toy, the GL 63AMG will surely hit the spot, because it will ensure that you get best of both worlds - a performance vehicle-cum-minibus for the whole family - and the in-laws as well.

THE SPECS

GL 350 BlueTec 4MATIC

Engine: 2987cc six-cylinder

Power: 190kW at 3600rpm

Torque: 620Nm at 1600-2400rpm

0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 220km/h (claimed)

Fuel consumption: 7.4-8.0l/100km

C02: 209g/km

Price: R966246

GL 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY

Engine: 4663cc V8

Power: 320k W at 5250rpm

Torque: 700Nm at 1800-3500rpm

0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 25 0km/h (governed)

Fuel consumption: 11.5l/100km (claimed)

C02: 269g/km

Price: R1106859

GL 63 AMG

Engine: 5461cc V8

Power: 410kW at 5250-5750rpm

Torque: 760Nm at 2000-5000rpm

0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 250km/h (governed)

Fuel consumption: 12.3l/100km (claimed)

C02: 288g/km

Price: R1669636

We like:

AMG available

Generous space

We don't like:

Nothing to dislike