MB4ever

Gelaendewagen no more??

According to Autoweek the next generation Mercedes G-Class loses Brinks truck look.
This is what they published:
Back when the first Gelaendewagen rolled off an Austrian assembly line in 1979, the spartan military-styled sport/ute wasn’t intended for the kind of country-club duty of today’s air-conditioned, airbag-equipped, power-everything model. But even in the luxuriously appointed guise that Mercedes has sold in the States since late 2001, the boxy G-Class has remained far more utilitarian than virtually any competitor, except maybe the original Hummer H1 and the do-anything Unimog.

In 2006 DaimlerChrysler’s biggest, baddest bank vault of an SUV gets replaced by the vehicle in these spy shots (which are mildly computer-enhanced to remove minor disguise). The new G is a relatively svelte (at least by G-Class standards) seven-seater based on a stretched version of the same platform found under the new R- and M-Class models coming from Mercedes’ Alabama assembly plant. With the introduction of the new G, production in Austria will end.

To avoid disappointing fans of the sturdy 4x4, Mercedes promises the underlying M-Class four-wheel-drive system is up to G-Class-level off-road challenges. But the company also aims to meet the needs of its well-heeled buyers with a special top-of-the-line package featuring maximum comfort and all the latest electronic equipment.

Worldwide engine offerings will include three new V8s, a 325-hp 4.6-liter and a 410-hp 5.5-liter, with a 6.3-liter V8 AMG version rumored to boast 465 hp. The G will also get two diesels, a 231-hp V6 and a 300-hp V8, but U.S. sales of those engines is uncertain.

Look for the G-Class to make its world debut at next January’s Detroit auto show.

Attached Images

102137.jpg (22.8 KB, 102 views)

Carmel_Dude

Thats too bad. I personally like the old G.
I see quite a few around here in Carmel-by-the-Sea and around Pebble Beach.

This site has some nice arrangements for visiting the factory in Graz and some test drives should you want to go. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

NSL

I answered this earlier today in a sister website:

I'm not so sure the G-Class will go away at all.... yes some spy pics and PSs show a badge that spells "G500", but that may also be part of the camouflage...

Here are my reasons for this opinion:

1. The G is originally a military design, like the old Jeep, the LR Defender, and the HUMVEE (er, HUMMER H1 now). If Mercedes is to keep a military vehicle design then the new spy pics do not comform with it: Military vehicles must have straight glass windshields, windows, etc. All new designs have curved glass.

2. Back in 2003 DaimlerChrysler filed for the following trademarks:
GL-CLASS, GL 400
GL 63
GL 320, GL 350, GL 550, GL 55
GL, GL 280, GL 450, GL 500
CLASSE GL
GL-KLASSE

and in 2004 they applied for the following trademarks:

MLG-Klasse
Classe MLG
MLG, MLG-Class

these trademark applications is telling us they either couldn't make up their minds about a new class, or they are planning on expanding the SUV line extensively..
Maybe the GL-Class is the current G-Class about to be renamed and the MLG-Class is the one we see in spy pics..


NSL.

Carmel_Dude

Thats cool! I hope you are right

Alx

Good point NSL, looks like their confused themselves, or they have alot of SUV like vehicles on the way!!!

Vivaki

(Fan-gallerie)

Vivaki

(Fan-gallerie)

Mr. Mercedes

I can't help but feel I'm going to be extremely disappointed in the G-class. It simply does not look like its going to be the technological tour de force and supreme interpretation of the luxury SUV that it should be, beyond any Range Rover, BMW etc.

Deutsch

This car is incredibly obnoxious for so many reasons, but it's so beautiful, and in my eyes part of the essence of Mercedes Benz. It started life out as a purpose built machine, then made it's way into the sea of celebrity. The question is often asked "why?" The answer, because it's a Mercedes Benz.

The Artist

New pics enjoy guys.. i think it will turn out pretty darn nice..