Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new 2013 GL-Class SUVs at the New York Auto Show.  The updates to the GL aren’t groundbreaking, but sleeker headlights and a bulkier grill give the SUV a more aggressive look, bringing it in line with the current SL-Class and C-Class styling-wise.

There will be three entries into the GL-Class.  First is the GL450, with a twin-turbo V8 making 362-hp and 406 lb.-ft of torque.  Those with the extra money who love the thrill of speed (or need to tow a lot, which is more likely) will want the GL550, which is powered by a 429-gp, 516 lb-ft of torque twin-turbo V8.

The most eco-friendly GL is the 2013 GL350 BlueTEC. The BlueTEC GL350 has a diesel V6 with 240-hp and 455 lb.-ft of torque.  Mercedes claims an 18% increase in fuel economy for the GL350 BlueTEC over the current model, which would means 20-mpg city and 25-mpg highway (for a laugh, take into consideration that Mercedes claims the current 20-mpg highway GL350 BlueTEC gets better highway mileage than some four-cylinder hybrid vehicles.  I can only assume that this copy was written with people who have owned nothing but large SUVs for the last 20 years in mind. ’20-mpg? Wow that’s great, our Range Rover only gets 15! We’ll have to take that on the trips to the cape, Barb’)

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL, which goes on sale in September, will have some really neat safety features.  A Collision Prevention Assist system can sense an impending collision and, like a front-seat passenger aware of the distracting effect her skirt might be having, warns the driver in advance using dashboard lights.  The CPA system also adjusts the brakes for maximum stopping force, something Barb could only do by leaning over and jamming the driver’s knee down harder.

The GL-Class SUVs also come with Crosswind Stabilization as a part of the stability control system.  This feature keeps the massive GL stable in windy situations by applying pressure to individual brakes in an effort to minimize the effect of gusts, according to Jalopnik.

Image via Jalopnik.