Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior of its new Mercedes-Benz G-Class off-roader, which has undergone the most significant reinvention of its four-decade lifespan to provide greater comfort, technology and usable space for occupants while not abandoning its utilitarian origins.
Full details of the new G-Class - which has been four years in development at Mercedes’ standalone G facility in Graz, Austria, and is codenamed ‘W464’ – will be fully unveiled at the Detroit motor show in mid-January, but the familiar boxy shape of the current vehicle will be retained.
However, the German manufacturer has afforded an early look at the five-seater’s interior, where some of the most significant revisions have been made. As well as incorporating much of the technology and underlying electronic architecture from the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Mercedes has retained many of the G-Class’s iconic design features. The overhauled G-Class will be wider than the current model, and an increased wheelbase and improved packaging of major components have liberated a considerable amount of additional space inside.
Rear passenger space – an area that was criticised in the current G-Class – is said to have increased by 150mm, with approximately 40mm of that being freed up by a longer wheelbase. The driver and front passenger benefit from an additional 38mm compared with the existing model. Shoulder and elbow room are up by 38mm and 68mm respectively in the front and by 27mm and 56mm respectively for rear occupants.
Although the new G-Class retains its predecessor’s upright windscreen and square-jawed proportions, the seating position is slightly more car-like in the new model. “In the outgoing car, it is more like you sit on the car, but now you sit in it,” said Oliver Metzger, G-Class design engineering chief.
Very few parts have been carried over from the outgoing G-Class. Among those that do remain are the nozzle of the headlight washer, the cover for the spare wheel – still mounted on the side-hinged rear door – and the door handles.
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As much of the...
...exterior as we can make out, it does not not seem that it matches the revealed interior, IMHO! If one were not TOLD that these interior pictures, belong to the lightly camouflaged vehicle in the exterior photos, I believe they would hard pressed to see the connection one to the other. And with the G-class sitting at the top of Mercedes-Benz SUV food chain, why does it share its interior with the E-class and not the S-Class? Would the Ranger Rover look to compete against this new G-Class with the interior appointment level of the Jaguar XF?
"New G Class"
While it's great that Mercedes have found a way to keep the iconic body of it's classic G Class, for all it's sumptuous interior and extra space, what about the crashworthiness? That dash isn't very deep and those doors still look very thin, so if there are few parts carried over they might as well have produced a safer, all new body as well. A 1979 body structure can never be as safe as the latest 2018 tech versions surely. An NCAP test would be very interesting to see, then maybe Landrover will be proven right in their approach to an updated Defender. Even BMW had to bite the bullet in the end with the classic Mini.
Has a tough image
Which owners seem to like. Rugged etc. If they go too posh, it will over time lose the toughness vibe.
Check out the new disco and velar for details. Mmmm, yummy premium soft touch premiumness upmarkety. Nice green wellies to go with it at the summer festival, it's so earthy. I was at the country club the other day and thank heavens I was in the velar/g wagon/Range Rover (delete as applicable), there was snow in the fields and I saw some mud on the road. I think maybe a pheasant in the distance too. Blasted through that, and made short work of the nicely laid drive right up to my premium earth pod for my detox. Back to London on Sunday, can't miss the little ones violin recital, the curbs in Dulwich have to be seen to be believed.
Pretty though for celeb types. Sells to a particular group. Actually, sells well. Or does it? See discount article.
Hmm, I am really out of touch and have a problem. I'll have a lie down now.