NO, it isn’t anything like the G-Wagen we thought it might be when the idea of a new, seriously off-road Mercedes-Benz was mooted. The new GL-class is really just an extended ML-class with a little more of everything that an extra 300mm of body, as well as an added 200kg of weight, can bring. The surprising thing about the new GL is just how capable and un-intimidating it feels to the driver, and how economical – in the GL320 form – it actually can be. Zero to 100km/h in comfortably less than 10 seconds and an average fuel consumption of 9.5L/100km show just how good today’s turbo-diesel are getting. Add to this the standard fitment of the Benz Off-Road Pro Pack – which includes a dual-range transmission – and air suspension that can lift the GL-Class high enough to provide a 600mm river-crossing depth, and you have a remarkable luxury all-rounder that seems to cover just about all the bases.