LUXURY LONG HAULER: BENZ ADDS A DIESEL TO ITS GL LINE

摘要

ICELAND, KNOWN for volcanoes, lava deserts, glaciers and geysers, draws tourists who flock to the small North Atlantic island for its scenery, hot springs, and oddly, hot dogs - it seems there are hot-dog stands on every Reykjavik street corner. Our purpose was a little different - to drive the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz GL. Yes, we've driven gasoline-engined GLs before ("Mercedes launches a big 'un," March 6). Originally the GL was supposed to replace the ancient Gelaendewagen. But when those rumors started circulating, customers raised hell and demanded the Gelaendewagen continue, So Benz decided to keep the old truck around for a while and make the comparatively svelte GL an additional model. Starting in January, the all-wheel-drive seven-seater will come in diesel form as the GL320 CDI (diesel R- and M-Classes arrive this fall).