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John Mahoney5 May 2015
NEWS

Mercedes G-Class gets makeover

More power for the old-school 4x4 that refuses to die; 463kW V12 spearheads range

Mercedes-Benz has tweaked its 35-year-old G-Class to introduce a full range of Euro 6-compliant engines. All are up to 16 per cent more powerful but have less of a thirst.

New to the range is a 310kW/610Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers the G 500, which can hit 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.

As well as the new engines all the models gain a new suspension set-up that’s said to increase the G-Class’ stability and tame some of its ride choppiness.

Curiously, Mercedes has also said it’s also added a ‘more sensitive ESP’ stability program.

Under the bonnet, as well as the arrival of the new V8, the G 350 D diesel gets a hike in power from 155kW/540Nm to 180kW/600Nm.

It’s the same story for the AMG G 63, which gains an extra 20kW that pushes power to 420kW. Even the range-topping AMG G 65 has had its wick turned up to 463kW/1000Nm. This means the fastest G-Wagen now hits 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds.

Other additions include idle-stop for the G 350 D, G 500 and G 63 AMG, while the new G 500 gains adaptive dampers that Benz says have been designed to increase ride comfort and reduce roll without any impact on  the G-Class’ legendary off-road ability.

Outside, the new models gain restyled bumpers and flared wheel-arches. Inside there’s a new 11.4cm multifunction display between the instrument clusters — and that’s it.

The only other change is the greater level of personalisation that’s now available from the factory — from a wider choice of garish colours to interior stitching that can now match the exterior colour.

Mercedes has also launched a new AMG Edition 463 trim that adds two-tone seats, lots of carbon-fibre interior bits and, on the outside, 21-inch  wheels and AMG sports stripes.

Back in 2013 motoring.com.au reported that Mercedes plans to get at least another decade out of the ageing G following its sales success in the US and emerging markets like China and Russia.

Mercedes-Benz Australia advises the G 65 AMG remains unavailable in right-hand drive and therefore won't be sold here, while the new 4.0-litre G 63 AMG remains under consideration to join the local line-up, which currently comprises the G 350, G 500 and G 63.

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