Mercedes Takes Wraps Off its New G-Class

The second-generation G-Class retains the old-school styling that debuted on the model when it first launched 38 years ago. Mercedes has also improved its ride comfort and agility. The New G-Class is 53mm longer but is still more compact than its Range Rover rival.

In the cabin, there’s lots of bits from other Mercs, right from the multifunctional steering wheel, which features touch-sensitive controls for several gadgets, to the infotainment system and right up to the electric handbrake. The gear selector stalk is on the steering column, liberating space on the centre console, which now houses the touchpad and rotary infotainment controller. You also get an analogue instrument panel comes as standard and a virtual display as an additional extra.

The rear seats feature a recline-and-fold function to increase boot space. Mercedes says that this car’s handling has been improved, both on and off-road. Merc says the SUV is even better off-road yet also “significantly more agile, dynamic and comfortable” on the road.

The car features a new nine-speed automatic transmission with reduced shift and response times. Under the hood sits an AMG-developed 4.0-litre V8 turbo-petrol engine in two states of tune – one in the lower-spec G 500 and the other in the range-topping G 63, which makes 611hp/850Nm.

The possibility of an all-electric G-class was also on the cards, with Merc looking to completely electrify its range by 2022. There is no word on when the car will make it to India yet.