Cycle & Carriage - The GL-Class Off-roader

Effortless superiority means being strong – even in moments of weakness

As soon as you start the engine of the new GL-Class, a whole band of innovative technical helpers is on hand. These assistants can also come to your aid when it comes to staying on course in difficult situations, keeping an eye on the traffic – and remaining alert even if your concentration should lapse.

DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control (optional)[1] DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control helps the driver to maintain a specified (timed) distance from the vehicle in front when travelling at speeds of 0 to 200 km/h. In an emergency braking situation the BAS PLUS Brake Assist system can shorten the stopping distance. The system provides the brake pressure necessary for the situation in the event of danger. The PRE-SAFE® brake can help to prevent collisions. This feature issues three warning tones to alert the driver when it senses an immediate risk of a rear-end collision. If the driver does not respond, the system initiates autonomous partial braking 1.6 seconds before the calculated collision moment, decelerating the vehicle with around 40 percent of the maximum braking power (4 m/s2), providing a further, clearly perceptible prompt to take action. Should the driver fail to react to this haptic signal too, the PRE-SAFE® brake will if necessary trigger autonomous full brake application.
ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM with Active Roll Stabilisation (optional)[2] The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM reduces the vehicle's roll angle when cornering by using its active suspension stabilisers. This enhances ride comfort for the vehicle occupants and boosts driving dynamics at mid-range speeds (winding rural roads) as well as at high speeds (motorway). The system allows the greatest possible degree of articulation and thus even better traction for off-road driving. The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM determines the roll forces acting on the vehicle by means of pressure sensors in the front and rear axle rotary actuators and a lateral acceleration sensor. An electronic control unit then sends actuating signals to the valve blocks on the front and rear axle, thus controlling the oil flow in the system produced by the hydraulic pump. The pressure in the chambers and the configuration of the active suspension stabilisers mounted on each axle are then adjusted to the driving situation.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist (optional) The Driving Assistance Package Plus makes an active contribution to safety in everyday driving situations. The proximity control, lane-change control and blind spot warning functions together with the brake system optimisation all contribute decisively to safe travel and a safe arrival. Keeping one’s distance: DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control helps the driver to maintain a specified (timed) distance from the vehicle in front when travelling at speeds of 0 to 200 km/h. Extended field of vision: Active Blind Spot Assist uses radar and monitors the blind spot areas to the left, right and rear of the vehicle. If a vehicle is detected within the monitored range, a warning symbol is displayed in the driver's exterior mirror. Should the driver fail to notice the warning and start to change lanes, the ESP® system can intervene. Staying in line: Active Lane Keeping Assist continuously registers the lane markings on the road. Should the system identify that the vehicle is drifting over a line or markings in an uncontrolled manner, it can counter this with an active braking intervention If required: the BAS PLUS Brake Assist system can help to make the best use of the stopping distance available between the driver's own vehicle and an obstacle, so that the driver behind also has enough space for braking In the event of danger: the PRE-SAFE® brake can help prevent rear-end collisions. The system issues three warning tones to alert the driver if it detects the immediate risk of a rear-end collision. If the driver does not respond, the system initiates autonomous partial braking 1.6 seconds before the calculated collision moment, decelerating the vehicle with around 40 percent of maximum braking power (4 m/s2), providing a further prompt to take action Should the driver fail to react to this haptic signal too, the PRE-SAFE® brake will - if the collision can no longer be avoided - trigger an autonomous full brake application, which can mitigate the severity of the impact.
Active Parking Assist including PARKTRONIC[3] Active Parking Assist makes a major contribution to safe and comfortable driving. It helps drivers find a suitable parking space for parallel parking and helps them to park - on bends, too - through active steering intervention. The integral PARKTRONIC feature warns drivers if there are hard-to-spot obstacles in front of the car or behind it. At speeds of up to 36 km/h Active Parking Assist looks for suitable parking spaces using the ultrasound sensors in the front bumper. The automatic parking space search function is indicated by a "P" symbol in the instrument cluster. If Active Parking Assist has found a parking space, an arrow appears next to the "P". By default, Active Parking Assist searches for parking spaces on the right-hand side of the road. If the indicator on the driver's side is active, parking spaces on the left-hand side are also detected
Hill-start assist The hill-start assist prevents the vehicle from accidentally rolling in the wrong direction when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator on an incline on the road by maintaining the brake pressure for a short period of time.
ADAPTIVE BRAKE braking system The ADAPTIVE BRAKE system improves ride comfort and safety by helping to perform critical braking manoeuvres more safely with the basic function of the ABS anti-lock braking system, while convenience functions support the driver in everyday driving situations. Supportive HOLD function: the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system's HOLD function, which is activated by briefly depressing the brake pedal, prevents unintentional rolling when stopped at a traffic light or in stop-and-go traffic. Extra help: the Hill-Start Assist function prevents the vehicle from rolling back unexpectedly on uphill gradients when moving from the brake to the accelerator pedal. Braking effect with no delay: the "brake drying" function removes the film of water that forms on the brake discs in wet conditions. For an even quicker response: With the "Priming" option, the brake linings on the brake discs are primed as soon as the driver takes his foot off the accelerator quickly.
Speed Limit Assist (optional)[4] The system can identify the speed limits shown on road signs, display the permitted maximum speed in the instrument cluster and align it with the data in the navigation system. This is particularly useful on long, monotonous stretches of road with changing traffic signs or along routes with road works.
Intelligent Light System[3] The Intelligent Light System improves visibility in dark conditions by adjusting its bi-xenon headlamps to the current driving situation. So, for example, illumination is wider on a country road; and on motorways it is significantly extended. The system also features enhanced fog lamps as well as active light and cornering light functions. In conjunction with the ON&OFFROAD package, the off-road light can also be switched on if the "Off-road 1" or "Off-road 2" drive program is activated. This swivels the bi-xenon headlamp units 6 degrees outwards. The light is distributed symmetrically and the light output is increased by 3 watts. In addition, the LED cornering lights are turned on permanently while the dynamic bending mode function and the headlamp range adjustment are deactivated. The integral headlamp cleaning system ensures that headlamps are clean and therefore visibility both on and off the road is better.
Night View Assist Plus with pedestrian recognition (optional)[5] Night View Assist Plus significantly improves visibility when it is dark and there is oncoming traffic. The system supports the driver by helping to ensure that any potential dangers are not overlooked, even when there is oncoming traffic and without having to switch to main beam. The system works with infrared headlamps and an infrared camera which transmits an image as a clear grey-scale image which is shown in the central display of the COMAND Online multimedia system. Pedestrians can be automatically identified and highlighted in the display. With this option, it is easier to identify people, animals and objects even when visibility is poor.
Parking package with 360° camera, including Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC (optional)[5], [6] The new Parking package contains an innovation: a 360° camera system displays the area surrounding the vehicle from a bird's-eye view in the display of the COMAND Online multimedia system. Over and above this, the Parking package assists the driver to manoeuvre and park in narrow areas. The Parking package makes it easier to assess the situation in any manoeuvre, due to the fact all four sides of the vehicle are monitored. It assists in off-road driving on difficult terrain through image transmission; and can issue visual and audible warnings of obstacles in front of or behind the vehicle and thus help to prevent damage when manoeuvring. This includes: 360° camera: the system comprises a short-range camera system with four cameras and a control unit, which together can provide a bird's-eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings. One camera is fitted in the centre of the radiator grille at the front, one camera is fitted in each of the exterior mirrors and one camera is fitted in the centre of the rear door. The resulting "virtual viewpoint" produced by the camera images covers an area of approximately three metres in front of the vehicle and behind. The images are shown on the display of the head unit. When reversing or parking, additional guide lines are displayed to help orientation and the parking manoeuvre. The swept area when turning the wheel is shown along the sides of the vehicle. The camera image changes automatically when the gear is changed (forwards/reversing). The four camera views can also be selected individually through the central controls in the head unit. Active Parking Assist At speeds of up to 36 km/h Active Parking Assist looks for suitable parking spaces with the ultrasound sensors in the front bumper. The automatic parking space search function is indicated by a "P" symbol in the instrument cluster. If Active Parking Assist has found a parking space, an arrow appears next to the "P". By default, Active Parking Assist searches for parking spaces on the right-hand side of the road. If the turn indicator on the driver's side is active, parking spaces on the left-hand side are also detected The driver starts the parking manoeuvring process by stopping ahead of the indicated parking space, selecting reverse and confirming the prompt which appears in the instrument cluster. Active Parking Assist steers up to a speed of 10 km/h. The driver only operates the accelerator and the brake pedal. The parking manoeuvre is completed in a maximum of 5 moves. The final parking move is indicated by the message "Parking Assist complete" in the display. This message is accompanied by an acoustic signal.< PARKTRONIC: The system gives visible and audible signals to warn of obstacles it detects in front of the vehicle and behind. It is active up to a speed of about 16 km/h.
Reversing camera (optional)[5] The reversing camera offers convenience and added safety. The camera integrated in the tailgate transmits an image of the area behind the vehicle to the COMAND Online multimedia system display. The camera image not only makes parking easier but also aids in manoeuvring on terrain with visibility limitations.
Crosswind Assist The Crosswind Assist can help the driver to keep the vehicle on course, considerably increase the driver's sense of security and prevent inappropriate responses to sudden gusts of wind. With the ESP® sensor system, strong gusts of side wind can be recognised in good time and the brakes can be actuated automatically to correct the vehicle's direction. In this way the system can prevent strong, gusting side winds causing the vehicle to go off course suddenly. Actuation of the brakes on the side of the vehicle facing the wind creates a yaw response which counters the crosswind disturbance. The track offset experienced by the vehicle is reduced as a result.