Mercedes- Benz has unveiled the redesigned all-new Mercedes-Benz G-Class Wagon at the Detroit Auto show. Better known to its fans—which are legion—as the Geländewagen, the boxy four-wheel drive vehicle has been in production since 1979, changing very little in the intervening time. Despite this, it continues to find buyers, a fact more remarkable when you consider that this automotive antique comes with a price tag to match.
The 2019 G-Class comes with smoother surfaces and re-shaped head lamps and tail lamps, slimmer front blinkers and of course new wheels. It has also grown in size when compared to its predecessor and is now 53 mm longer, 121 mm wider and close to 8 mm taller.
The 2019 G-Class looks near-identical to the old model, it's actually a little longer (2.1 inches/53mm) and a little wider (4.8 inches/121mm) than before.
As such, off-road performance was extremely important, and Mercedes says the revised Geländewagen is even better in this regard.
There's all-new double-wishbone suspension at the front axle and a rigid rear axle (with trailing rods and a Panhard rod). The independent front suspension allows for a stiffer front end, as well as better on-road manners.
The cabin is all new and every surface is new, with a design that's both familiar and upscale. The first thing you notice is the expansive digital display that extends from behind the steering wheel all the way out to the centre stack. This is a set up similar to the one we've seen on the E- and S-Class which houses two 12.3-inch high resolution screens.
The new G-Class will be available in a number of engines. The base G650 version will get the 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 AMG engine with 415 bhp and 610 Nm of peak torque.
The famous G63 AMG variant will get the same 4.0-litre V8 albeit with power up rated to 603 bhp and 700 Nm. This will also be the version that India will get as a Completely Built Unit (CBU).
A 9-speed automatic transmission will be standard across the range. In addition, the SUV will come with a live rear axle, permanent All-Wheel Drive system and three differential locks.
Mercedes-AMG is said to be dropping the G65 V12 version on the G-Wagen with this generation and the variant is expected to make way for a new hybrid.
