The Mercedes-Benz G-Class was actually already a living legend - how could you revitalize it? With a successor? Hardly likely. Mercedes-Benz has opted for a makeover!
Until recently, the old G-Class actually went great. And Mercedes also earned good money with the since 1979 almost unchanged built, always slightly remodeled classic. Six-digit prices for probably already several times depreciated plants of the Kraxler produced in Graz at Magna, there was of course a respectable margin for the brand. Nevertheless, after nearly 40 years of construction, the series 463 was over at the beginning of the year, since summer there is indeed a completely new generation G.
The main challenge for the developers was to preserve the iconic off-road vehicle while at the same time gently but emphatically leading it into the modern age. That is also the main reason why, with a fleeting glance at the new G-Class, you initially do not notice any visual difference. Whoever puts the two generations side by side sees the differences. Less the 5 centimeters more in length are noticeable, but immediately the additional 12 centimeters in width. Anyone who had previously wondered that people would pay over a quarter of a million euros for an AMG G 65 - in order not to know where to put their left (driver) or right (passenger) elbow; at least this problem is a thing of the past in the new G-Class. However, the new one is not a miracle of space either. The back is just okay and the trunk volume of around 450 liters is just about the middle class sedan level.
More space for drivers and passengers - that was also urgently needed. Otherwise, designers and technicians have tried to keep the recognition effect as high as possible. So you have to continue to open the doors a bit awkward with a push button in the handle and the indicators on the front fenders of course remained. The protective strips and the spare wheel on the rear door were probably sacrosanct. This not only fits, but also makes sense. Somewhat stupid, however, seems to us the artificially trimmed to "noisy" central locking, which caused a shock moment when opening or closing or even when driving off some unsuspecting pedestrians in the vicinity of the vehicle.
So while the exterior looks strongly reminiscent of the old model, the modern has moved into the interior. For example (for an additional charge) there are now two well-known 12-inch displays under a glass pane in the G. Our model, which was equipped with many extras, had, among other things, the so-called multi-contour seat including heating, cooling and massage function as well as inflatable air cushions to support lateral support in curves. That is almost too much luxury for a vehicle that is still based on a ladder frame and (also) sees itself as a real off-road vehicle. This is indicated by the three buttons for the differential locks, which are still prominently positioned in the center of the dashboard. Whether and how often they are used in a G 500 or the even more exclusive AMG-G remains to be seen. And besides, the G-Class can not help if - like a highly gifted child in primary school - it is actually always underwhelmed.
Unchanged remained the V8 petrol engine in the version 500, a four-liter monster, 422 horsepower and 610 Newtonmeter torque. He has with the over two-ton SUVs easy game, but it must also be fed with plenty of fuel. Despite comfort mode pleasant and far-spreading Neungang automatic already the official consumption 11,5 liters for 100 kilometers. We needed in a quite reasonably restrained driving over 14 liter and who lies down a very fast highway map, should not be surprised about consumption beyond 20 liters.
After all, driving in the new G-Class is also much more fun. The new electromechanical steering and a multi-link axle (instead of the old rigid axle) ensure that the runnings are no longer so spongy and indirect. Of course, even the most out-of-the-ordinary developers are not able to get away from the almost two-meter-high vehicle with a certain swing during load changes.
It remains a contradiction in terms that the perhaps most talented SUV at the time only with two large eight-cylinder petrol engines is to have, because the likewise available AMG version sports as G 63 even with a 585 horsepower from 5,5 liters of displacement (from 148.000 Euro ). Our G 500 is with about 107.000 Euro in the price list and it hardly worth mentioning that you can easily tens of thousands of euros for extras on it or even must. If you want to take the G-Class as an off-road vehicle but at least as a workhorse seriously and do not want to be constantly challenged, you should wait for the version with six-cylinder diesel, which is already in the starting blocks and will be available from the beginning of 2019.
Mercedes G 500 - Technical data
Five-door, five-seat SUV, length: 4,82 meter, width: 1,93 meter, height: 1,97 meter, wheelbase: 2,89 meter, luggage capacity: 454 liter
4,0-liter V8 petrol engine, 310 kW / 422 PS, maximum torque: 610 Nm at 2.250 to 4.750 rpm, nine-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, Vmax: 210 km / h, 0-100 km / h: 5,9 s, Average consumption: 11,5 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions: 263 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d-temp, efficiency class E
Price: from € 107.041
Brief description:
Why: in the terrain as good as ever; but much more comfortable on the road
Why not: high base price; high consumption; no space miracle
What else: 2019 comes in all respects cheaper diesel variant