The New Mercedes G-Class Has Arrived Early Thanks To An Image Leak
Here it is: the new Mercedes G-Class. No, really - it might look just like the old one, but don’t be fooled. The styling changes are best described as evolutionary (read: minimal), but the latest G-Wagen is wider, has a whole new interior, has pinched a load of tech from the S-Class, and will receive new engines. Oh, and it’s here early.
We weren’t supposed to be seeing the vehicle until 15 January at the Detoit Auto Show, but a full set of images has been leaked. They confirm that - adopting a similar approach to the new Jeep with its new Wrangler - Mercedes hasn’t played much with the SUV’s iconic styling.
The interior - as revealed by official images released a few weeks ago - has the same dual 12.3-inch screen instrument binnacle/infotainment setup as the E-Class, CLS and S-Class, while the lower section of the centre console shares its design with multiple cars from Stuttgart’s current line-up.
The steering wheel’s smarter than before, too. It has touch sensitive controls that “respond to swiping motions in the same way as the surface of a smartphone,” while providing haptic and audible feedback.
The new G-Class sits on the tried-and-trusted ladder frame of its predecessor, rather than a more modern monocoque setup. And yes, it still has a trio of locking differentials. But the front suspension setup is all-new, the frame is stiffer, and the body more rigid. Plus, the whole car will be significantly lighter due to the extensive use of aluminium in its construction.
When it comes to engines, we can expect Mercedes’ new straight-six diesel to make an appearance, as well as a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in a thoroughly silly AMG version. No prizes for guessing which one we’re most looking forward to…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Hopefully it was improved a lot underneath the skin, so that the G63 can at least keep up with an m2 in a straight line
The passenger door windows look like portholes
“Styling by deja vu”
Jeep manages to make the Wrangler look ever so subtly more fresh and ‘new’ with every new generation, without really changing the basic design of the car.
How come Mercedes can’t manage to do that and always end up making the G-Class look pretty much the same on the outside, save for quite a few bits?
The new Jeep Wrangler looks similar to the old one, but is an entirely newly designed vehicle underneath. Mercedes doesn’t do that - they just keep releasing one facelift after another instead of just pulling the plug and designing a whole new model inside and outside.
It now has a double wishbone front suspension, instead of the live axle, which is worse for off-roading. I just hope they continue to produce the W461 and W463 G Class Professional variants alongside this new one
People do not buy these to go off road
Well, whaddaya know… It looks exactly the same
A G class is not a G class without that boxy design. Or would you rather them make horrible designs like Jeep
Am I the only one who thinks this is an overpriced Lada Niva??
A bit like an expensive, German, V8 variant of one?
“new”
Needs a v12. Not a fan of the 4.0T V8
Then wait for an amg version
Its rounder but still boxy