Developed for the military, having been in production for 35 years - one of the longest produced Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Daimler's history - and without significantly changing all that much over the years, the G-Class or Geländewagen, Germany's equivalent of the Land Rover Defender, has received an update.
Okay, so the Defender reference is probably unfair on Mercedes, as is the claiming the G-Wagon hasn't changed all that much in over 30 years. Both are untrue in fact. The G-Class although similar only in profile to the ill-fated Defender, is better equipped, vastly more comfortable on and off road and far safer too. The fact that the current Defender has been put out to pasture whilst the G-Class soldiers on is case in point here.
The G-Class range has essentially been distilled into only two variants, a single diesel, G 350 d and a single petrol, AMG G 63, with a new special edition AMG Edition 463 joining the lineup as well. Make that three variants.
Power from the 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the R1 418 000.00 'entry level' G 350 d is up from 155kW to 180kW with torque also get a bump up from 540 to 600Nm. For those concerned with such trivialities, the 0-100km/h time has dropped from 9.1 seconds to 8.8 seconds. All while consuming 17% less fuel - claimed at averaging 9.9l/100km. Achieved in part to start/stop functionality which is now standard across the range.
The sledgehammer AMG 63 has also received some fettling with power now raised to a ridiculous 420kW from it's blown 5.5-litre V8. While torque is set at an earth axis-tilting 760Nm! 0-100 km/h acceleration for this land dwelling four-wheeled leviathan is 5.4 seconds.
Off-road aficionados need not worry as the G-Class retains its bush-whacking prowess. Unrivalled off-road performance with permanent all-wheel drive, low-range gearbox and three differential locks that can be engaged/disengaged while on the move are all still present, ensuring the G-Class is as capable off-road as ever.
Under the G-Class's orthogonal skin, there are slight changes to the ESP system for greater control on and off-road as well as shortening the G-Wagon's stopping distance under hard braking.
The 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission also now benefits from a manual mode as seen in the AMG variant which allows drivers to take control of gear shifts via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles.
The new special model, Edition 463, builds on the already outlandishly styled AMG G 63 adding R152 000.00 of extras, including a stainless steel under guard, AMG 'go faster' stripes along the sides and a black aluminium protective-strip insert. Huge 21-inch matte black light alloy rims with contrasting spokes complete the Edition 463 look.
Of course not to be outclassed by the crazy exterior, the Edition 463's interior features a two-tone instrument panel and leather seats with side bolsters in carbon-look leather and contrasting stitching. Seat and door centre panels get a 'diamond look', with carbon-fibre trim playing a central theme as well, door pulls get wrapped in a nice Nappa leather trim.
Pricing:
| G 350 d | R1,418,000.00 |
| AMG G 63 | R2,156,000.00 |
| AMG G 63 Edition 463 | R2,308,00.00 |
