Mercedes G-Class has reached our shores and it has entered a new era in terms of technology while staying true to its unrivalled legacy. The new G-Class retains its iconic design and remains a benchmark for originality, ruggedness and luxury – with regards to comfort and safety. Whatever the operating conditions, the off-road vehicle is built to impress with its performance, advanced assistance systems, outstanding handling and safety.
The extreme popularity of the model in the Middle East has been well acknowledged in the “Desert” mode – one of the DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes besides the new suspension of the G-Class. The “G-Mode” is an intelligent off-road control system and the three 100 per cent differential locks enhance both ride comfort and agility – on any surface.
Reinterpreted exteriors
The new G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider than the outgoing model. The Mercedes G-Class hasn’t changed significantly since 1979 in the way it looks. And why should it? The uniqueness is maintained in the distinctive door handle and the characteristic closing sound, the robust exterior protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and the prominent indicator lights. More than ever, the new G-Class appears to be cast from a single piece. All surfaces have a tauter design and have more tension, while the surface quality has been taken to an even higher level. This results in narrower, more precise gaps and more harmonious transitions. In addition, the wheel arches and bumpers form a more integral part of the body and thus look less like add-on features.
Interiors
In an inevitable departure from the classic, the interior of the G-Class has undergone a fundamental modern redesign. In this cabin, a distinctive off-road character and top-class luxury appointments have found a harmonious coexistence. Every detail is finished by hand with the utmost care.
As synchronous as design gets, many exterior features have been transposed into the interior: the shape of the round headlamps is reflected in the side air vents, indicators and the loudspeakers. The grab handle designed for the front passenger and the chrome-highlighted switches for the three differential locks have been retained as a part of the vehicle’s character.
Fans of classic round instruments get their instrument cluster while two 12.3-inch displays blend visually into a Widescreen Cockpit. Drivers can choose between three different styles for the displays – “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive”.
Off-road improvements
Mercedes claims that the new G-Class performs even better off-road (if that is even possible!) while on the road it is significantly more agile, dynamic and comfortable than its predecessor – thanks to its standard ladder-type frame, the three 100-percent differential locks and LOW RANGE off-road gear reduction. The new independent suspension with double-wishbone front axle features coil springs all-round and has a rigid rear axle with a five-link suspension. It is born from the collaboration between Mercedes-Benz GmbH and Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
On-road enhancements
“The specification for the G-Class not only included solidness and superiority in terrain, but also greater driving dynamics and comfort on paved roads. Thanks to the new front axle design, the on-road performance has therefore been enhanced at the same time. On the road, the “G” is as agile as it is comfortable and provides the driver with a better steering feel” – reads the Press Release from Mercedes.
Weight and strength
Weight has been reduced, as most modern redesigns end up doing. The G-Class was studied using a digital prototype, where the developers simulated the service life of individual components and closed systems to ascertain where would it be possible to introduce lighter raw materials. G-Class has shed around 170 kg by resorting to a new mix of materials comprising strong, high-strength, ultra-high-strength steels and aluminium, as well as improved production processes at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria. The rigid body shell is now made of a variety of steel grades, while the wings, bonnet and doors are made of aluminium. Despite lighter, the torsional rigidity of the frame, body shell and body has risen substantially by around 55 percent, from 6,537 to 10,162 Nm/deg.
The new “G-Mode”
The off-road handling characteristics have been improved due to the new “G-Mode”. The mode is independently chosen as soon as one of the three differential locks has been activated or the LOW RANGE off-road reduction gear has been engaged. This off-road mode adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic, avoids unnecessary gearshifts, thus making inch-perfect manoeuvring possible even in the steepest terrain and by receiving excellent feedback on the traction capacity of the surface.
New 9G Tronic transmission
The new 9G TRONIC automatic transmission with torque converter has been specifically adapted with a wide transmission ratio to make driving quieter and more comfortable, and to reduce fuel consumption. The shift and response times have been reduced by means of a dedicated software application.
The powerful Mercedes-AMG G 63
The new Mercedes-AMG G 63 underpins its unique position among performance off-road vehicles with the powerful drive system, the newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension, the AMG-specific transmission modes and new interior with optimal widescreen cockpit. Besides the characteristic G-class appearance, the G 63 has an AMG-specific radiator grille and the AMG bumper with large side air inlets and trim in matt iridium silver. The headlamps, indicators and taillights are in LED High Performance technology as standard.
The AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine takes over instead of the 5.5-litre V8 biturbo. It generates 585 hp and delivers a maximum torque of 850 N, which is available across a rev range of 2.500 – 3.500 rpm, resulting in a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
Damping as per the surface: AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension
The AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with adaptive adjustable damping is standard equipment and the electronically controlled system adjusts the damping at each wheel to the current requirements, improving driving safety and ride comfort. Completely redesigned by Mercedes-AMG, the front axle has an independent, double wishbone suspension for the first time while a rigid axle with a five-link suspension is used at the rear. The driver can choose among three different sets of damping characteristics, namely “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+”.
Preparing the G-Class with AMG DYNAMIC SELECT
For the first time, the driving characteristics can be individualised using five on-road and three off-road driving modes. The DYNAMIC SELECT on-road modes are “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+” and “Individual”, with an “M” button to switch directly to manual mode.
The “Sand”, “Trail” and “Rock” modes can be selected with the DYNAMIC SELECT rocker switch. “Trail” allows maximum performance on soft, muddy or slippery surfaces. “Sand” modifies the parameters for sporty dynamics and the best possible grip and steerability on sandy stretches or desert sand dunes. “Rock” is the mode for extremely demanding, rocky terrain with severe axle articulation and frequent lifting of one or more wheels.
AMG Cylinder Management with deactivation
Like many of the V8 engines of the modern era, Mercedes-AMG has equipped the V8 engine in the G 63 with the AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system. In the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated, which significantly lowers fuel consumption.
More individualised AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission in the G 63 comes with a software application to achieve very short shift times. The multiple downshift function allows more spontaneous bursts of speed, enabled by the double-declutching function in “Sport” and “Sport Plus” transmission modes. Defined engine manipulation makes for even faster gear changes.
“Manual” mode can be selected using a separate switch. The gear changes depend on the selected transmission mode, and can be done using steering wheel paddles. Ardent fans will appreciate the fact that the transmission stays in the selected gear and does not automatically shift up when the engine speed reaches the limit.
Wait for the review of the new Mercedes G-Class, as soon as I can get behind the wheel.
