The vintage look of the Mercedes-Benz G-class SUV is a giant a part of its rugged attraction. A lot so, in actual fact, that although the 2019 model is totally new, Mercedes designers have made certain it nonetheless seems previous.
Most passenger automobiles are fully redesigned roughly each 5 years to maintain up with altering tastes. However is the primary time the G-class has been absolutely redesigned in 40 years. There have been enhancements over the a long time — however by no means an intensive wheels-to-roof makeover like this.
To make the purpose, Mercedes positioned a current-generation G-class encased in an enormous dice of amber-colored resin outdoors the auto present. Not coincidentally, it seems like a dinosaur-era bug trapped in amber, a la Jurassic Park.
G-class followers just like the SUV’s basic truck-like look. It’s positively not a crossover SUV, although lots of its house owners in america could use it the identical method somebody would possibly use a Honda CR-V.
However the G-class not solely seems and drives very in another way from a CR-V, it additionally prices an excellent bit extra. Costs for the present model begin at about $124,000 within the U.S., its largest market.
The G stands for Geländewagen which suggests, actually, “terrain automobile” or, much less actually, SUV.
The all-new model was unveiled at an occasion inside a decayed deserted theater in Detroit. The introduction featured towering jets of flames, a G-class climbing an impossibly steep wanting hill, and an look by Arnold Schwarzenegger. (The connection is that Schwarzenegger was born close to Graz, Austria, the place the G-class is constructed. Additionally, he is robust.)
Mercedes designers made each effort to keep up the Lego-built look of the G-class, together with uncovered door hinges, and even the resonating metallic thunk sound of its doorways closing. Engineers additionally went to the difficulty of designing the flip sign lamps that get up on the entrance of the automobile in order that they retract on influence. That retains the basic look whereas nonetheless complying with fashionable pedestrian safety rules, which require something that stands proud on the entrance of a car that might stab or poke an individual should collapse out of the way in which in a crash.
They did make some modifications to modernize the car and add a little bit extra consolation. As an illustration, it is barely bigger throughout. Regardless of its dimension, although, rear seat legroom stays a little bit cosy by SUV requirements. However there’s nonetheless sufficient headroom to comfortably go off-roading in a prime hat. The fashionable LED headlights, whereas nonetheless spherical, are noticeably extra complicated.
The variations on the within are far more noticeable. As an illustration, it has a big central display, like different Mercedes automobiles, and the gauge cluster behind the steering wheel has additionally been changed by a pc display. It shows classic-looking spherical gauges, nevertheless, so the brand new tech does not break the previous seems.
CNNMoney (New York) First printed January 16, 2018: 3:27 PM ET
