Thirty-five years and counting

By Ghaith Madadha - Jun 16,2014 - Last updated at Jun 16,2014

An automotive icon and off-road legend, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class’ imminent demise has often been foretold, but reports of its death have invariably been greatly exaggerated. Starting life as a quasi-military off-roader developed during the 1970s under the encouragement of then-major Mercedes shareholder Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Gelandenwagon went on sale in 1979. Arriving just as the Shah was deposed, the then G-Wagon got off to a troubled start with a 20,000 vehicle Iranian order being cancelled. Resuscitated by orders from the Argentine army and the German border police, the G-Wagon went on to being a successful military vehicle and luxury status symbol.

Back for another encore

Closely identified with its most important Middle East market from its Shah-related origins, the Mercedes G-Class is for many regional rich, rulers and royals, a vehicle of choice, with strong demand ensuring its continuation. In fact, demand for bigger and more powerful versions even led to a twin-turbo V12 AMG G65 version and a recently launched 6x6 behemoth AMG G63 version, developed and aggressively publicised within a Middle East context. The last time the G-Class graced these pages in 2010, it was expected that production would end in 2015, but after a 2012 re-vamp, it was announced last year that it will continue being at least until 2019.

Originally developed in collaboration with Steyer-Puch and still built in Austria by its Magna Steyer successor for Mercedes-Benz, the G-Class — previously known as G-Wagon — is a robust and uncompromising off-roader from the ground up, including its chassis, design, construction, drive-line and suspension. In terms of design, engineering and hardware the G-Class has been little altered in principal and aesthetic, but over decades adopted prevailing technologies, engines and safety equipment, and from utilitarian origins, became a fully fledged luxury vehicle. The latest 2012 G-Class update features minimal exterior alterations, but includes a significant interior overhaul and adoption of contemporary driver-assistance and infotainment technologies to keep it up-to-date.

Newfound tech

and tricks

Built on a rugged body-on-frame platform the G-Class is an old-school off-roader at heart, and with its straight lines, sharp angles, exposed joints and flat surfaces looks the part too. Tall and upright, the G-Class makes almost no concession for aerodynamics, but its boxy shape provides for uniform and easily exploitable cargo space, as well as generous headroom, despite the body-on-frame chassis. The G-Class’ narrow and straight-cut dimensions are designed to allow it to drive along narrow paths. Little changed, the G-Class incarnation is as charmingly utilitarian in appearance as ever, but features slightly remodeled headlights with LED elements, and contemporary side mirrors with embedded indicator lights.

Sitting upright and close to the doors and with a big glasshouse and thin A-pillars, one enjoys excellent front and side visibility to accurately place the G-Class on road — or off-road. Narrow but tall the G-Class’s interior is comfortable and well-spaced, with climatised highly adjustable and supportive front seats, and easy cabin access. Luxuriously appointed with fine leathers, metals, woods and pleasantly textured materials, the G-Class’ interior has been revised to include round coned dials, new leather-wrapped multi-function and electrically adjustable steering wheel, re-designed gear lever and a functional centre console and dashboard that retain the Glass traditional grab handle and user-friendly differential lock buttons.

Pick of the pack

Equipped with contemporary driver assist, safety and infotainment systems the latest G-Class features a standalone tablet-style infotainment display. The G-Class COMMAND infotaiment system features 6-CD changer, Bluetooth, USB and SD card connectivity, integrated hard disk, satnav, Internet access, TV receiver support and voice command. The G-Class’ brake assist system primes brakes for emergencies. Radar-based safety systems including blind spot assistance and DISTATRONIC smart distance keeping cruise control, which can follow town speed traffic and stop accordingly, and help mitigate collisions at higher speeds by automatically applying the brakes. A trailer stabilisation system uses the electronic stability system to counteract fishtailing above 65km/h. Parking assistance includes reversing camera and sensors.

Offered with two high performance bi-turbo AMG versions, a turbo-diesel entry model and a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8-engine carried over, the driven G500 is the best possible compromise. Retaining the full gamut of the G-Class off-road ability without sacrifice, the G500 also offers all the refinement and power and speed that the G-Class could reasonably need. Developing 382BHP at 6,000rpm and 391lb/ft throughout a broad 2,800-4,800rpm range, the G500 offers the most progressive and precise throttle control in the G-Class range for smoother on- and off-road driving, and also benefits from a broad and muscular mid-range to confidently haul it through sand dunes, mud, inclines and brisk highway overtaking manoeuvers.

Hardware for inhospitable terrain

With a tall and narrow frame, and all-round live axle suspension the G-Class is expressly built for off-road excellence and not inherently set-up for on-road handling finesse. As powerful as need be, the G500 delivers brisk 6.1-second 0-100km/h acceleration and 210km/h top speed despite un-aerodynamic design and 2,530kg mass. With 265/60R18 tires providing good compromise for handling, ride comfort and off-road ability, the G500 rides comfortably and smoothly, with good cabin refinement. A fun vehicle to hustle along, the G500 handles better than one could expect considering its ladder frame chassis and live axles, which react to road imperfections on one side with opposite movement on the other, unlike more refined independent suspension designs.

Little matched over inhospitable terrain the G500’s tall and narrow body, 205mm ground clearance, 36° approach and 27° departure angles allow it to traverse difficult obstacles, extreme angles, tight confines and wade water up to 600mm. Live axles allow excellent articulation over rocks and ruts to keep wheels in contact with ground, while low gear ratios allow maximum power at crawling pace for difficult inclines and low traction terrain. Most impressive when driving through deep and steep Dubai sand dunes was the G500’s unique locking rear, centre and front differentials which lock all four wheels in tandem to keeps moving even if only one wheel has traction.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 5.5 litre, in line V8 cylinders

Bore x stroke: 98 x 90.5mm

Compression ratio: 10.7:1

Valve-train: 32 valve, DOHC, variable valve timing

Gearbox: 7 speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

Diver-train: low ratio transfer case, locking front, centre & rear differentials

Ratios: 1st 4.38:1 2nd 2.86:1 3rd 1.92:1 4th 1.37:1 5th 1:1 6th 0.82:1 7th 0.73:1

Reverse: 1st 3.42:1 / 2nd 2.23:1

Final drive ratio: 4.38:1

0-100 km/h: 6.1-seconds

Maximum speed: 210km/h