“An icon reinvents itself”, reads the opening line of the blurb for the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which may be overstating things.
In the same way that cutting down on the booze and going to the gym a bit more for the new year would hardly constitute a reinvention, so the G-Class doesn’t want to change too much about itself, either. It wants to be perceived as the same stern old survivor, still brilliant off road, the doyenne of those who want something authentic and prestigious, only it needs to be that bit more habitable than ever to keep them on side.
2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class revealed with more tech, class & ability
So there are what seem like very sensible moves. Changes to the suspension will presumably improve the ride and, if they sharpen the steering a bit, that’d be helpful too. Interior changes up the perceived quality and, thankfully, give a bit more leg and shoulder room. The benefit of the G-Class being based on an old design is that it’s narrow: the downside is that it’s narrow. But I’m happy that the G will stay, fundamentally, a G. Even the doors will keep their “characteristic closing sound”, apparently. To you and me, that’s a ‘clack’.
Some say they don’t know why Mercedes bothers updating this ancient anomaly. It’s not like it sells many, after all. Which is true, but recently the G had its best-ever year, selling over 20,000 for the first time. With a starting price topping €100,000, that’s €2 billion a year’s worth of business, which is worth having, even if you’re Daimler.
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Totally love it.
Totally love it.
I saw a magnificent 6 wheeler in Verbier last week. The 488 next to it was all but invisible to the onlookers around it.
Still sell....?
There still selling Wranglers and Cherokee so the G’ Wagen has no problems there!
What’s the point?
Why buy this new junk when The Old car could be had for 20k? Spend a few grand modernising it and a private plate, then whose gonna know the difference? It will be quarter the price and a hell of a lot more reliable then Mercedes current gen of crappy cars (probably now include this).
Hell for the money of a new G-wagen I would buy/modernise a older Gwagen and then buy a brand new Range Rover for proper luxury.
@Godfather
As far as your comment about buying 'a brand new Range Rover for proper luxury' good luck if you think that's going to be a paragon of reliability.