Like the Energizer Bunny, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class just keeps going and going. What started out nearly 40 years ago as an all-weather, all-terrain machine and armoured military vehicle is now the must-have luxury SUV for the famous and wealthy.
Hand assembled in Austria, the G-Class carries over into 2017 unchanged after last year's thorough update. There is, however, a new limited-edition model arriving later in 2017. Canadians will officially be able to purchase the ultimate off-road G-Class, the G 550 4X4 Squared.
Wearing enlarged fenders, roof-mounted LED lights, and the front fascia from the G63/G65, the G 550 4X4 Squared stands head and shoulders above other SUVs thanks to its standard 22-inch alloy wheels, high-profile tires, and jacked-up suspension. Part of what makes this particular model so special is its portal axles; these allow the G to have a whopping 45 cm of ground clearance and ford water up to a metre deep. By comparison, the standard G 550 only has 20 cm of ground clearance. Motorsport-derived springs and adaptive dampers allow the 4X4 Squared to bound over rocky terrain like a Score Trophy Truck.
Despite the design's age, the G-Class is remarkably up to date regarding its equipment and technology. The standard 8.0-inch infotainment system includes navigation, integrated wi-fi, mobile apps, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin rivals the S-Class for luxury - supple leathers, Dinamica ultrasuede, plus carbon fibre, wood trim, and metal are all available - and the front seats come standard with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Equally impressive, all G-Class models sport adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and blind-spot monitoring, but no 360-degree parking camera.
G 550 models are powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that shares its basic design with the engine found in the AMG GT supercar. In this application, it develops a tame 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. 0-100 km/h is served up in a brisk 5.9 seconds. Not long ago, these figures would have been enough to grant it AMG status.
For those needing more power, there are two AMG versions available. The G63 AMG uses a hand-assembled twin-turbo V8 that develops 563 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. It's good for a 0-100 km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds.
The ultimate performance G, the G65 AMG shoehorns Benz's 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 in the engine bay. With 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, it claims the title of most powerful SUV on the planet. All that extra power only chips 0.1 seconds off the 0-100 km/h, though.
All G-Class models come with a seven-speed automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive, and a two-speed transfer case. The front, centre, and rear differentials also lock at the push of a button, for when the going gets truly tough.
Pricing for the hand-assembled G-Class starts at $128,100 for the G550, with the G65 AMG selling for a cool $250,500.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
