Mercedes-Benz USA Details its 2013 Model Year Introductions and Updates

There is plenty of news coming our way from Mercedes-Benz, as the German premium automaker's U.S. division has released detailed information about its 2013 model year lineup.

On the brand-new model front, we have the next GL-Class 7-seat crossover that goes on sale in September with a choice of four engines including a 240hp V6 diesel, while the range-topping GL65 AMG with 550hp will follow early next year.

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New 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG Sports Twin-Turbocharged V8 with 550-Ponies

Mercedes-Benz is expanding the range of its newly introduced GL-Class 7-seater crossover with the addition of a new, high-performance AMG model.

The 2013 GL63 AMG is scheduled to go on sale in mainland Europe this November and in the UK, the U.S. and other markets around the world in the first quarter of 2013, with pricing details for each country to be released closer to the SUV's on-sale date.

The zippy people carrier sports the same 5.5-litre V8 biturbo gasoline engine found in other AMG models such as the ML63 AMG SUV and SL63 AMG roadster. The direct-injection unit is rated at 550hp (557PS) at 5,250-5,750 rpm and 760Nm (560 lb-ft) at 2,000-5,000 rpm.

Power is transferred to all four permanently driven wheels by an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

The GL63 AMG completes the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.9 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h (155 mph).

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Mercedes Launches New R, ML & GL-Class BlueTEC Diesel Models For the States

With gas prices in the US (and elsewhere) going up and up everyday, modern diesel powered cars are definitely a viable short term solution, especially in the States where buyers continue to show their preference in large SUVs. Mercedes-Benz on its behalf announced today that it is offering three new diesel powered models, the R 320 BlueTEC, ML 320 BlueTEC and GL 320 BlueTEC that will initially be available exclusively in America.

All three SUV/Crossovers are powered by a new, clean 3.0-liter V6 BlueTEC diesel engine equipped with AdBlue injection technology. The AdBlue system is an aqueous urea solution carried in an auxiliary tank that’s injected into the hot, pre-treated exhaust gases. It helps reduce the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen when exhaust gases containing nitrogen oxides flow through the catalytic converter. As a result the three new SUVs achieve are able to better the stringent Bin 5 limits applicable in the USA, and also have the potential to meet the coming EU6 standards. -Continued

The V6 diesel engine has an output 211 hp and develops a maximum torque figure of 540 Nm or 398 lb-ft. Mercedes-Benz promises an advantage of around 20 to 40 percent in terms of fuel consumption versus a comparable petrol model. For example, Merc announces that the GL 320 BlueTEC consumes 9.5 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (25 mpg).