G-Class (W463) Mercedes G500 4x4-2 Concept

Wolfgang · Apr 13, 2016

What are the major challenges for Mercedes-Benz dealers in 2016?

Getting the balance of trucks and cars right. The market is really moving toward SUVs, and we would like to get a larger allocation of SUVs to meet the demand of the marketplace, so we've asked Mercedes-Benz to see what they can do to increase production of SUVs.

Do you have an answer yet?

They're very interested in getting more SUVs as well. They've indicated we will get a few more SUVs [in 2016 compared with 2015]. How many is yet to be determined. We have the all-new GLC, which will add significant volume in that segment.

Does the brand need more production of the crossover models it already has or are there segments where it should introduce another nameplate?

Mercedes-Benz competes in all the SUV segments, so I don't see any big gaps that need to be filled. The dealers are more interested in getting more production of existing models.

Of the brand's crossover models, which are most in demand and in need of more production?

All of them. We can't keep enough trucks in inventory.

We've heard a lot from dealers about especially being in need of the GLE and GLC.

GLC has been really well-received by our customers. We're looking forward to getting the new GLS this year. I'm sure we will not build enough to satisfy customer demand. Autonews

Wolfgang · Apr 13, 2016

Some good news for G fans?

Mercedes considering selling G500 4x4² in the U.S.

You have to applaud Mercedes-Benz for its commitment to the iconic piece of badassery that is the Geländewagen. It's an old-school, off-road beast packed with the latest comfort and technology features. Beyond that, it just oozes cool, especially with AMG badges or, you know, six wheels. And the best part is, it's here to stay. Bart Herring, Mercedes' general manager of product planning in the United States says the G-Class will be sticking around "for the long term," and for the U.S. market, that could mean the addition of a new model.

We're specifically talking about the butch-to-the-max G500 4x4² that went on sale in parts of Europe last year; Herring says the company is "very close to a good decision" regarding U.S. sales of this lifted, go-anywhere G-Wagen. The 4x4² essentially uses all the same hardware as a standard G550 – including a new, 4.0-liter, biturbocharged V8 – but rides on 22-inch wheels wrapped in 325/55-series tires, and has all of the necessary suspension upgrades (lift!) to make it even more capable off-road.

For 2016, the G-Class adds a number of improvements, including an ever-so-slightly tweaked front fascia and a more expansive color palette (with some awesome, bright hues). Even better is the aforementioned 4.0-liter V8 that slots under the hood of the G550. And of course, let's not forget about the 621-horsepower AMG G65 that now joins the G63 in the U.S. market.

No, the G-Class doesn't sell in huge volumes, but it's a hand-built work of art that proudly cements itself as the core of Mercedes' whole SUV strategy – the company says there's a little bit of G in every utility vehicle it sells. In 2015, G-Class sales rose 15 percent in the U.S. market, so there's clearly healthy demand. Hopefully the 2016 model year updates only increase this momentum, and that Mercedes uses this success as leverage to add the 4x4² to the American lineup.

Mercedes considering selling G500 4x4² in the U.S.

WAND · Apr 28, 2016

Rainer271 · Apr 28, 2016

WAND said:

David vs. Goliath?

WAND · Apr 28, 2016

Giant

WAND · Apr 28, 2016

Merc1 · Apr 28, 2016

If they sell this thing in the U.S. Mercedes will have officially lost their mind. I can't imagine what it will cost, probably more than the G65, so at least 250K.

M

rollo · Apr 28, 2016

^
And due to the cachet of owning this type of vehicle and assuming limited quantities, they would be gobbled up like candy by the elite hip crowd of L.A.

WAND · Apr 29, 2016

hannaz · May 12, 2016

Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador Mike Horn’s “Pole2Pole” Expedition Round-The-World Trip Started In Monaco

Adventurer and extreme athlete Mike Horn started his round-the-world “Pole2Pole” expedition in Monaco on 8 May 2016. The Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador set sail for Namibia in his boat PANGAEA. The challenge faced by Horn is to circumnavigate the world northwards from Pole to Pole by alternating between boat, skis, kayak and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

The expedition will take him from Europe to Africa and then on to the Antarctic, Oceania, Asia, the Arctic, North America and finally back to Europe. The aim is to gain an insight into culture and nature in rarely explored regions. During his adventurous trip, the South African-born explorer will be reporting on his experiences with people in different regions of the world. The expedition is due to end back in Monaco in 2018.

Following weeks of intensive preparations and equipment tests in wintry Canada, Mike horn and his team are now sailing to Namibia. The next stage involves driving the G-Class through the world’s oldest desert, the Namib desert, on the Namibian coast. The route then passes through the Okavango delta in Botswana, the world’s largest inland delta, and on to Cape Town in South Africa, where Mike Horn was born.

Mike Horn is one of the world’s most recognised pioneers of modern expedition history. He has been pushing the limits of human abilities with a number of spectacular expeditions for 25 years. Mercedes-Benz has assisted Mike Horn on his expeditions for many years, including last year’s “Driven to Explore” expedition on which both partners raised awareness of environmental changes in even the most remote regions of the world. Mercedes-Benz sponsored the PANGAEA expedition between 2008 and 2012. With the guiding theme “Explore. Learn. Act.” Horn initiated ecological and social projects with young people in different places around the world.

http://fly-wheel.com/mercedes-benz-brand-ambassador-mike-horns-pole2pole-expedition-round-the-world-trip-started-in-monaco/

Rainer271 · May 20, 2016

martinbo · May 21, 2016

Do they actually SELL this thing?

I thought it was just a concept!

This changes things. [heads off to three car garage thread]

Rolf · May 21, 2016

This thing is a real production model and they are selling them here in the Middle East.

Its such an imposing vehicle, so high maybe 2.10m!

Here are some pics of one at the Qatar Motor Show:

Rainer271 · Jun 9, 2016

Source: Autobild

Merc1 · Jun 9, 2016

How fitting, and now it's coming to the U.S.

car scoops

M

Wolfgang · Jun 9, 2016

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-2ad1626f0c40df00.webp

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-67e7141adeae1967.webp

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-368c78156ebe1187.webp

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-452caa13bd558e22.webp

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-6674d226a5360a1c.webp

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-4a1a5b04fe00c1b1.webp

Mercedes-G-500-4x4-hoch-zwei-1200x800-9a1b3cd26ae6f905.webp

Autobild

Monster · Jun 10, 2016

Do we know why this is only available with the standard V8 engine and not with the proper AMG engine?

hoffmeister_fan · Jun 10, 2016

the 4x4^2 with combined with the aesthetic and simplicity of the Professional = the perfect anywhere vehicle.

rs271 said:
New 2017 Mercedes-Benz G350d Professional brings G-Class closer to its roots

The G-Class began life in 1979 as an unapologetic off-roader before Mercedes-Benz slowly started making it more luxurious and faster with every model change, but now, the Germans want to bring back some of the original model’s grittiness with a new edition.
Named the G350d Professional, Mercedes says it’s a “highly purist variant” that is “ideally suited to grueling off-road use and professional applications”.

In typical German fashion, less means more for the G350d Professional that drops many amenities that are considered standard on most cars these days, let alone on one that costs €79,968 (equal to $89,000 in Germany), including electric windows and the infotainment screen, though it does keep an electrically adjusted steering column, a multifunction steering wheel and partially power-adjustable front seats.

The seats themselves are covered in fabric instead of leather, while Mercedes also replaced the carpet with rubber mats, underneath which you’ll find drains to easily clean the floor.

What the Professional does gain over the regular G350d is a modified suspension with a 10mm (0.4 in.) increase in ground clearance at 245mm (9.6 in.) instead of 235mm (9.2 in.), and higher approach and departure angles at 36 degrees and 39 degrees respectively (G 350 d: 30/30 degrees).

On the outside, Merc’s “purist” approach brings a matte black radiator grille and black 16-inch light-alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires size 265/70 R 16. The G350d Professional is offered with two non-metallic and 11 metallic finishes, including two special paints named Desert Sand or China Blue.

Purist or not, it wouldn’t be a real Mercedes-Benz if there weren’t any optional features. These include a steel front bumper with preparation for a cable, the Professional Off-Road package with protective grilles for the lights, dark tinted windows, a roof rack with a ladder and a load compartment finished in wood, side running boards and the Load Protection package with a cargo net, load compartment cover and a fixed trailer coupling.

Like the regular G350d, the Professional is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel pumping out 245PS (242hp) paired to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio and three electrically selectable, 100‑percent differential locks. Mercedes says it returns a combined economy of 9.9l/100km (23.8 mpg US or 28.5 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 261 g/km. It has a payload of 592 kilograms (,1305 lbs) and a towing capacity of up to 3,200 kilograms (7,054 lbs).

Mercedes said the G350d Professional will be available for order in Europe this June with first deliveries in September.

For the 2017MY, Mercedes also updated the infotainment and navigation systems on all G-Class models and added a few optional features such as anthracite poplar trim for the G 500 and AMG versions, a new set of matte black painted 16-inch alloy wheels and a roof rack.

Source: Carscoops