Benz Utes Get Bigger V-8s - The Car Connection

Benz Utes Get Bigger V-8s - The Car Connection Benz Utes Get Bigger V-8s
New 5.5-liter stuffed into GL, ML.

(2007-04-08)

Mercedes-Benz had a trio of Teutonic news for the Big Apple, including the launch of the all-new CL65 AMG (spotlighted in another story on TheCarConnection.com), and the addition of the ML550 and GL550 SUVs.

As the names suggest, Mercedes has upgraded the V-8s in both models, replacing the old 5.0-liter engines with the larger, new 5.5-liter engines already appearing in the S550 and E550 sedans. At 382 hp, the 32-valve, DOHC V-8 makes 80 more horsepower than the previous engine in the ML. The new powertrain boosts the GL550's numbers by 47 hp, also to 382.

Mercedes officials note that there are only the most modest cosmetic changes, unless you count the lip prints you might press against that big V-8 - when it's cooled down, of course. Look for a price tag of somewhere around $50,000 for the ML550, and somewhere north of $60,000 for the GL550.

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