Mercedes-Benz GL 420 CDI Receives Makeover From German Tuner Kicherer

The specialist from German tuner Kicherer have divulged information on their all new the Mercedes GL 42 Sport Black

Words Jim Davis March 18, 2011

The aftermarket specialist from German tuner Kicherer have divulged information on their all new the Mercedes GL 42 Sport Black. The Kicherer Mercedes GL 42 Sport Black is based on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 420 CDI and offers a complete package with visual and performance modifications.

The current Mercedes-Benz GL420 CDI offers a 4.2 liter V8 common rail diesel engine with 306 hp and 700 Nm of torque. With help from Kicherer, the SUV’s power output increases to 380 hp and 900 Nm of torque. The Kicherer GL 42 Sport also comes with a PowerConverter from the company that enhances acceleration pedal response.

The exterior of the GL Tuner is a matte black foil finish and the grille and Mercedes-Benz badges all re-done in black. Additional exterior features include 22-inch rims, an off-road package with electronic chassis adjustment as well as a 2-pipe sports exhaust system. On the interior is an upgraded ergonomic sports steering wheel.

Kicherer Press Release:

GL 42 Sport Black – The exception

The Mercedes Benz GL class is extremely impressive even in its serial version. At a length of 5.09 meters, width of 1.92 meters, height of 1.84 meters and a combat weight of approx. 2.5 tons, the X164 series – which has been available since 2006 – towers over nearly all the other full size SUVs without seeming plump. KICHERER Fahrzeugtechnik from Stockach at the beautiful Bodensee specialize in Mercedes-Benz refinement; they emphasize the sportive characteristics of this large SUV with strategically placed tuning measures: Raise the curtain for the KICHERER GL 42 Sport Black! Send through Y!M E-mail this

The special edition based on a Mercedes Benz GL 420 CDI is powered accordingly by a 4.2 liter V8 common rail turbo diesel engine; in the series state, it has 306 HP and 700 Newton meters as maximum torque. The performance improvement by KICHERER provides the GL 42 Sport Black with a full 380 HP and 900 Newton meters on the thick crankshaft. The additionally installed KICHERER PowerConverter also sharpens the electronic gas pedal characteristic curve, causing the heavy vehicle to react even more spontaneously to acceleration commands and enabling powerful acceleration from the very bottom. The two end pipes of the two-pipe sports exhaust system give off a deeply evil roar

The serial Airmatic chassis was also given a more sportive characteristic curve, making the GL 42 Sport Black comparatively light on it wheels when going around bends of any size. The Vogue complete wheel set consisting of 10×22 inch wheel rims and XXL size 295/35R22 tires also essentially contributes to the new driving dynamics.

For a sportive look, KICHERER retrofitted the GL 42 Sport Black, which is completely covered in matte black exclusive foil, with its own off-road package. The grille and all the Mercedes stars and decorative strips are now black to perfect the SUV’s “bad boy” look. KICHERER also improved the cockpit with the contoured ergonomic sports steering wheel.

Modifications