What is it?
Mercedes G-Class
What's special about it?
Known in Europe for years as the Gelaendewagen, this "new" SUV from Mercedes will officially be made available stateside later this fall as a limited production model, with only 1,000 to 2,000 imported annually. Previously, the "G-Wagen" was imported without the blessings of Mercedes-Benz North America by Europa International of Santa Fe, NM.
Unlike its more urban-oriented cousin the M-Class, the G-Class is a no compromise off-road vehicle. The suspension system consists of coil springs and straight axles front and rear, with multiple control arms controlling their movement. Three separate differential locks (front, rear, center) can be controlled by dashboard switches for maximum traction in sticky situations. An advanced traction control system works in conjunction with Mercedes Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to maintain control on- and off-road.
Power will come from the same 5.0-liter V8 found in the S-Class sedan, tuned to produce roughly 300 horsepower and well over 300 foot-pounds of torque. The transmission is an electronically controlled five-speed, with full-time four-wheel drive and a dual-range transfer case.
Unlike most Mercedes, the G-Class will have no available options other than interior and exterior color. Of course, there's a substantial standard feature list that includes numerous luxury amenities like full leather seating, a GPS navigation system, Tele Aid emergency response and a premium audio system. Not to mention the fact that you'll be the only one on the block likely to have one -- something that not too many other high-end SUVs can offer.
Why should you care?
Unless you have 70 G's to drop on a seriously old-looking SUV, you really shouldn't. The fact that Mercedes decided to import the Gelaendewagen is likely the result of Americans' seemingly insatiable appetite for high-dollar SUVs rather than any sense that they needed something on the market more capable than the strong selling M-Class. If you're into boxy styling and old-tech suspensions, the Gelaendewagen will suit you just fine. But if you're like us, paying that much for something that looks like it came out of Eastern Europe 20 years ago seems a little silly. --Ed Hellwig
Mercedes G-Class
What's special about it?
Known in Europe for years as the Gelaendewagen, this "new" SUV from Mercedes will officially be made available stateside later this fall as a limited production model, with only 1,000 to 2,000 imported annually. Previously, the "G-Wagen" was imported without the blessings of Mercedes-Benz North America by Europa International of Santa Fe, NM.
Unlike its more urban-oriented cousin the M-Class, the G-Class is a no compromise off-road vehicle. The suspension system consists of coil springs and straight axles front and rear, with multiple control arms controlling their movement. Three separate differential locks (front, rear, center) can be controlled by dashboard switches for maximum traction in sticky situations. An advanced traction control system works in conjunction with Mercedes Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to maintain control on- and off-road.
Power will come from the same 5.0-liter V8 found in the S-Class sedan, tuned to produce roughly 300 horsepower and well over 300 foot-pounds of torque. The transmission is an electronically controlled five-speed, with full-time four-wheel drive and a dual-range transfer case.
Unlike most Mercedes, the G-Class will have no available options other than interior and exterior color. Of course, there's a substantial standard feature list that includes numerous luxury amenities like full leather seating, a GPS navigation system, Tele Aid emergency response and a premium audio system. Not to mention the fact that you'll be the only one on the block likely to have one -- something that not too many other high-end SUVs can offer.
Why should you care?
Unless you have 70 G's to drop on a seriously old-looking SUV, you really shouldn't. The fact that Mercedes decided to import the Gelaendewagen is likely the result of Americans' seemingly insatiable appetite for high-dollar SUVs rather than any sense that they needed something on the market more capable than the strong selling M-Class. If you're into boxy styling and old-tech suspensions, the Gelaendewagen will suit you just fine. But if you're like us, paying that much for something that looks like it came out of Eastern Europe 20 years ago seems a little silly. --Ed Hellwig
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