Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4 squares up for production
The Mercedes G500 4x4? is a more extreme take on the legendary Gelandewagen. It ditches the extra set of wheels from the earlier G63 AMG 6x6, but keeps its wider track and jacked-up suspension, complete with portal axles, 22-inch wheels, 325/55-section tires, and a good foot and a half of ground clearance. It also loses the AMG-spec engine in favor of a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 422 horsepower, based on the unit in the C63 and AMG GT.
The smaller engine (and smaller axle-count) makes its list price a little easier to swallow than the half-million Benz commanded for the 6x6, but it'll still be a rather large pill. Pricing in Germany is listed at €226,100 – equivalent to over $250k at current exchange rates. That makes it the second most expensive version of the G-Class currently available, behind the G65 that retails for €271,915 (~$309k) in Germany and $217,900 in the US.
MBUSA tells Autoblog that there are currently no plans for bringing the G500 4x4? to North America. But if it were to ford the Atlantic, it would likely carry a price tag in the neighborhood of $200k for the privilege of riding higher than just about any other commercially available passenger vehicle on the road. Show full PR text Alle Neuheiten der legendaren G-Klasse ab sofort bestellbar: Der Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x4? geht in Serie
Stuttgart, Jun 19, 2015
Stuttgart - Outstanding response to the "Extreme-G": the G 500 4x42 show car proved hugely popular with many customers and is set to enter series production. In the superlative-studded history of the G-Class, the G 500 4x42 is the new highlight in the model range. The technical package consists of the all-wheel drive powertrain including portal axles and the new 4-litre V8 engine with twin turbocharging and an output of 310 kW (422 hp). All the other G?Class models have further improved interiors and powertrains, and meet the highest emissions standard Euro 6. The G 350 d, G 500, AMG G 63, AMG G 65 and G 500 4x4? can be ordered with immediate effect.
A new addition to the extreme G-Class model family: the AMG G 63 6x6 is gaining a sibling in the form of the G 500 4x42. The series-production models of the G-Class provide the basis in the form of the body and ladder-type frame, which compensate for the considerably increased performance of the G 500 4x42 with no problem and without any type of reinforcements. The AMG G 63 6x6 has contributed an adapted version of the permanent all-wheel drive powertrain with portal axles.
The new model is powered by the new V8 powerpack with a displacement of four litres, direct injection and twin turbocharging. The efficient and clean 4.0-litre biturbo engine develops an output of 310 kW (422 hp) and maximum torque of 610 newton metres, and meets the Euro 6 emissions standard including the maximum particulate limit prescribed from 2016. The eight-cylinder has a set of exclusive genes: it is based on the new generation of V8 engines developed by Mercedes-AMG that have already coaxed exceptional levels of performance out of the Mercedes-AMG GT and Mercedes-AMG C 63. The G 500 4x42 will be in Mercedes-Benz dealer showrooms from December 2015.
Things are really looking up both on and off-road
Also new is the chassis with dual spring/damper struts and adjustable damping. In the interior of the G 500 4x42, occupants enjoy comfort and an ambience on a par with a luxury saloon.In view of the key data for the chassis and powertrain it seems more than logical that the off-road world starts for the G 500 4x42 where other vehicles give up. But it is surprising that the new "G" also puts in an absolutely convincing performance on the asphalt. Owing to the considerably wider track of the portal axles compared with the series-production car (+299 mm), the large 22-inch 325/55 R 22-sized wheels and the adjustable damping with its Sport mode, the enhanced G-Class drives through bends so dynamically that the occupants feel as though they are in a sports car rather than a cross-country vehicle. This also applies to outings on unsurfaced slopes or snow-bound roads, in which case the performance of a high-powered rally car kicks in.
Permanent all-wheel drive, an off-road reduction in the transfer case, portal axles and three differentials lockable while on the move are not to be found in conventional cross-country vehicles. The portal axles developed for versatility in operation complement the off-road portfolio of Mercedes-Benz and are the technical highlight of the G 500 4x42. Unlike on conventional rigid axles, the wheels are not at the height of the axle centre but are instead situated much further below on the axle heads thanks to the portal transmission. As a result the ground clearance of the G 500 4x42 increases to 450 millimetres and the fording depth – or rather the diving depth – to 1000 millimetres.
Systematic further development and high-quality appointments
Since its launch in 1979, the G-Class has made history and is the foundation for the entire Mercedes-Benz SUV family. More than 250,000 vehicles have been delivered to customers since the first model of the G-Class was introduced. Mercedes-Benz keeps this legendary off-roader series in peak technical form with systematic further development and high quality appointments. The G-Class now offers up to 16 percent more power and a lower fuel consumption. The new V8 petrol engine is also used in the G 500. Whether diesel or petrol powered – all engine variants are fit for the future, for from now on they meet the requirements of the highest Euro 6 emissions standard. A new suspension setup together with more sensitive ESP® control results in increased driving stability, safety and road comfort. The exterior and interior have also been given an upgrade. The exclusive AMG special model, the EDITION 463, is being launched at the same time. The new models can be ordered with immediate effect, and will be in the showrooms from September 2015.
The models at a glance:
