2012 Mercedes-Benz GL caught testing

The Mercedes-Benz GL sport-ute may have received a slight refresh for the 2010 model year, but the team in Stuttgart is already prepping the next-generation GL, and our spies have caught an early test mule roaming the streets. The overall shape of the seven-passenger SUV hasn't changed much, but we can see that the front fascia has been smoothed out quite a bit, even in these early development stages.

The new GL will ride on a stretched version of the next-generation ML crossover platform, and it will share the majority of its technological data with the smaller ML, as well. In true Mercedes-Benz fashion, we expect a full range of gasoline and diesel engines to be available, though no official word has been given on exactly what will be under the hood when the GL launches. For now, check out the attached gallery to see the GL mule out on the road.