Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV, also known as the Geländewagen, was initially created as one-time low-volume project ordered by one of the Middle Eastern rulers. Hardly could any of the then designers imagine that this strictly military vehicle would go through so many upgrades, modifications, and so many years of sales success. All attempts made by Mercedes to cease production of the square-cut vehicle were followed by another increase in demand for these cars and, obviously, the company has finally put up with the fact that G-Wagens are going to be sold eternally. However, no one said they would remain untouched. Mercedes-Benz has plans to modify the SUV by 2017 claiming it to be an all-new car.
The SUV, and we really do hope it would remain one, will become wider and consequently more stable; the extended wheel track will allow improving the comfort inside. The company assures that the facelift would keep the model’s spirit and its vivid military style, which hasn’t gone through any changes for the last 35 years.
High strength steel will be added to make a stronger body structure. The new G-Class will be fitted with an ultramodern infotainment system and all the latest achievements in the field of safety. The car’s interior will focus on quality and comfort.
The exterior design will remain close to the current model. Particularly, it concerns the near-vertical windscreen. Quite possibly, some of the exterior elements will be borrowed from the Ener-G-Force concept, which was first revealed in 2012 at the Los Angeles Motor Show.
Based on the estimations made by the engineers, the new model will be 1.86-m wide and weigh 2.37 tonnes instead of 2.57 tonnes of the current model. The car will feature an all-new suspension with a four- instead of a three-link setup and a modern electromechanical steering system.
The car will be equipped either with an in-line six-cylinder 3.0-litre petrol engine delivering 360 hp or a diesel engine. There is no word about the latter yet as it is still being developed. The only information known about it is that it will be first revealed together with the new E-Class vehicle in 2016. It will produce 300 hp. Nine-speed G-Tronic transmission will improve fuel economy and lower emissions.
