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2007 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Preview

Shelf Life of Age-Old Off-Roader Extended to 2010 by Technical Revamp

The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (G-Wagen or G-Class for short) is considered by many to be one of the worlds most capable off-road vehicles. For the past twenty-seven years, this figurative box on wheels has brought everyone from explorers, adventurers and even the Canadian army to the far corners of the world. Its go-anywhere capabilities, combined with its durability have allowed it to rank competitively alongside the likes of the original Hummer H1, the classic

The G-Class is set to get another update. Current model pictured. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

Range Rover and the more recent Land Rover Discovery and LR3.

The G-Class is the oldest Mercedes-Benz currently in production; believe it or not, the current truck still uses the same design and architecture

An original G-Class fords a small stream. A new, 2005 model year G-Class trails. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

as the original, although its been under the knife several times for interior and mechanical updates. Still, despite having airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes - all of which werent even invented when the G came on the scene, at least for automotive use - todays G-Class looks nearly identical to

Not a G-Class, but Benzs new GL-Class. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

the original, right down to its exposed hinges, fender-top turn signal indicator lamps and the tailgate mounted spare tire.

Although the G-Class is sold in North America only in a five-door hardtop wagon bodystyle, in other markets, buyers have a couple of other options available to them, including a fun, two-door, short wheelbase, soft-top convertible model, as well as a long-wheelbase stretched hardtop wagon.

Additional body styles of the G are available in other markets, including this fun two-door soft-top convertible. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

Regardless of its outer skin, all G-Class models use a traditional, heavy-duty ladder frame chassis, enabling them to perform unthinkable feats off-road and impressive towing capabilities. Aside from the G-Class, Mercedes-Benz has converted to an integrated monocoque chassis on its latest breed of SUVs, the ML, the R-Class and its all-new GL-Class.

Like the Hummer or the Range Rover, the G-Wagen has an alternate personality, one that doesnt involve scaling any rocks

Plenty of wood and leather, but its about as modern as an antique grandfather clock. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

or testing its axle articulation. One of the most important factors that has managed to keep this classic truck fresh and in style, is its urban culture. It is the Gs boxy on wheels look, combined with its ultimate luxury philosophy that has made it an extremely attractive icon, pulling in a fairly large clientele from the wealthy and the famous.

Prior to its unexpected launch into stardom, Benz was considering replacing the G-Class outright with the GL-Class, as at that particular point in time it was decided that it simply wasnt worth the effort for them to continue production.

New engines, including AMG powerplants and 7-speed autos from the GL will be made available on the G. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

However, this was far from the truth; the Magna Steyr plant that builds the G-Class in Graz, Austria assembled 5,045 vehicles last year, a figure large enough to not only justify the trucks continued production, but to extend its life until at least 2010. As a matter of fact, the official update will come at this years Mondial De LAutomobile (Paris Motorshow), in September.
As before, the core updates to the G-Class will come in the form of updated mechanical components. Currently, the North American-bound G-Class can be had in a single guise, the G500, which features the 5.0-liter 3v/cyl V8. Previously, the truck was available as the G55 AMG, which was

Will the G-Class short wheelbase products get an update? This is a decision thats still up in the air. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

powered by a supercharged version of that very powerplant. While adequately powerful, these engines are far from new; over the past year, Mercedes has progressively phased them out for motors with more efficient designs. Its expected that the base G-Class will be powered by the new 5.0L four valve per cylinder V8 with 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic, as well as the new, naturally aspirated high-performance 6.3 liter V8.

While it hasnt been confirmed, it wouldnt be surprising if Mercedes also added a diesel to the G-Classs powertrain ranks. In Europe, aside from the AMG model, the G-Class is sold nearly exclusively with Benzs CDI direct injection V6 and V8 turbodiesel engines. These engines provide equivalent, if not greater levels of grunt than their gasoline counterparts,

Another important question is the technology that will back the G. Though its price tag is in the six-figure range, will it be as advanced as the S-Class? (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

without the emissions or thirst. However, since were talking a new generation of G, expect the North American-bound diesel to be of BlueTec ultra-low-emissions classification, after Benz announced it would be selling BlueTec diesels on this side of the Atlantic.

What else is in store for the G come model year 2007? Together with the new engines and gearboxes, expect to see an update of the interior, but whether or not the upright and boxy look of the current car is shed, is debatable. Because the update is scheduled to carry through to model-year 2010, Mercedes-Benz might not consider a thorough overhaul financially viable. Due to this, it also is unlikely that the G-Class will get the new PRE-SAFE radar-based collision mitigation system, or its other related functions such as radar-adaptive cruise control. More detail will come closer to the cars launch.

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