Yes. Yes. For real. It's a new G-Class. For real. Does not it look that way? And yet, only 3 components were taken over from its predecessor, and to illustrate this, Dieter Zetsche even had one of these components in his jacket pocket when he presented the new G-Class to the world public in Detroit. A vehicle carved so roughly that it passes equally as a cultural asset, tool and lifestyle vehicle. No other car now has this aura. It has long since outgrown its military necessity, today the G-Class, like the AMG, rides on the celebrity miles of the beautiful and the rich.

Sometimes they come back - I'll be back

World premiere of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Detroit 2018

Born in Graz, tested at the “Schöckl”, loved over decades. The G-Class is not the only export hit with roots in Austria. Another angular guy also comes from Graz, but, unlike the G-Class from Mercedes, is unique even in Hollywood: Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ex-Mister Universe, the movie star, the terminator, the ex-governor of California - a legend during his lifetime like the G-Class. A suitable star to present the G-Class to the global public together with the head of Daimler AG, Dieter Zetsche.

The G-Class has lost neither the distinctive turn signals on the fenders nor the rough design and the door hinges are solid and outboard lying as known since 39 years. And yet, all but three components have been redesigned. So the body is up to 190 kilograms lighter, an intelligent material mix allows this big step. And yet the G-Class is even stiffer than ever. Torsional stiffness increased by 55%.

The entire chassis has been redesigned, always with a view to maximum off-road capability, and yet an increased ride comfort on the road. Although the body is still mounted on a ladder frame, the genes of the classic off-road vehicle have been expanded to include the culture and comfort of modern passenger cars. The G-Class should more than ever allow the squaring of the circle.

For the start, there will be only one engine. The new 4.0 liter V8 with 422 PS and 610 Nm, connected to the 9 gearbox with gear reduction and three manually switchable 100% differential locks on the axles and in between.

In the Interior of the G-Class had us Mercedes-Benz already allows a look, now after the unveiling of a form that was actually known, the first verdict remains:

It has changed a lot, but you do not see it. Seldom was that better news than with this cultural asset!