adminFact Jeke Behind the Wheel
TEST driving the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL for this week’s issue had me completely converted to German craftmanship.
I was behind the wheel of the most enchanting and fulfilling sports utility vehicle which is ideal for the top businessperson with a family, kids or cute little dogs in the back seat, going on a long drive or to a holiday home in the country or a board meeting.
This is for the high-powered who have been to places business-wise and are progressing successfully in life.
I had the pleasure of going on a ride 30km out of town in the GL which Zimoco was so generous to give me so that I could sample.
While other luxury large SUVs offer burly off-road capabilities and loads of bling, the Mercedes-Benz GL Class offers just what a luxury large SUV should — luxury, plenty of it.
While others in the class have more room or more powerful engines, few can match the total package of comfort and driving experience the GL provides.
Despite having a smaller engine than many of its competitors, it drives more like a luxury sedan than a bulky SUV.
Another plus is the GL’s excellent fuel economy, which is among the best in its class.
It’s a car-based crossover, not a truck-based SUV, so please don’t go kumusha with it and start aggressive bundu bashing in it.
While it seats just as many passengers as a truck-based SUV, it’s not meant to tackle rough off-road terrain.
Though the GL has a relatively low base price, the base model doesn’t come with many of the features and luxury touches that buyers may be looking for.
To get those, you will have to pay extra. From 84 000 euros before duty and taxes you can spec it up to suit your needs and wants.
After-sales service at Zimoco will give you peace of mind since the luxury car business and generally experience in the motor industry is what makes them stand out.
When I took a tour of Zimoco a few weeks ago, I got to understand why they have been there for so many years and are still going strong.
Their service is world class, well I guess it has to be since they represent top brands like Jeep and Chrysler.
For the new model, changes to the GL class are minor. Mercedes has made some minor tweaks to the exterior styling and added its Post-Safe system, which shuts off the engine and unlocks the doors after a crash.
What I liked the most is the way the large SUV drives like a much smaller vehicle, while still maintaining good off-road abilities.
This is largely due to its uni-body construction, instead of the body-on-frame construction that is typically used in most large SUVs and trucks.
Comfort that befits a luxury SUV, also puts the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class ahead of some of its competitors, thanks to standard all-wheel drive, an independent rear suspension and features such as electronic stability control.
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a superbly performing SUV and earns a very good score and high performance ranking within the class.
A powerful, but silent, V8 engine powers this car that never feels like a full-size brute that can swallow seven people comfortably; rather, it drives small, coming across more as an S-Class sedan than many of its competitors.
The ambient lighting underlines the stylish interior design when darkness falls. On opening the door, the driver is met by a pleasant light that makes the interior appear even bigger and cosier than it already is.
This makes it easier to find what you are looking for in the dark. So there you have it efficient, available in a six and eight cylinder engine in both petrol and diesel, 7G-Tronic or direct select transmission and all wheel drive.
What else can you ask for? With a large tank of 100 litres, at an average consumption of 12km per litre, Harare to Johannesburg will cost you less than US$200 for seven adult passengers — how cool is that?
What’s also exciting is that you can push it to a little over 200km per hour on the highway.
I wanted to try it but since I was with Priscilla Chauwa from marketing at Zimoco, she was giving me the look — ha ha ha.
After driving this car, I got to understand why she talks of the Mercedes brand with so much pride because it is a work of art full of oomph and breathtaking functions.
Enjoy and please pop into the Zimoco Showroom, Daphne Ritson and her team will be more than delighted to assist.
Ciao. God bless you.
Feedback: Email: [email protected] or on Facebook, torquewithfactjeke.
Online Reporter
dyton mupawaenda