MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS BULLDOZES ITS WAY INTO SA

Mercedes-Benz has reintroduced the G-Class to the South African market, at a launch held in Namibia. The G-wagen is probably to Merc what HUMMER was to GM; an exceptionally capable 4x4 with a second face which is an urban pimp mobile. Not that Daimler SA will be selling it as the latter, but hey, we’ve all seen the music videos and this car was the real star.

While the G-Class is a rough-n-tumble kinda customer, used to slugging it out with the worst of them out in the muddy sticks, inside it takes on a velvety persona. Here we talk about full leather seats, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connection system, and a 6-CD changer among others. An SD memory card  with iPod/ auxiliary and USB slots is available with the Harman Kardon sound system.

“We are delighted to see the return of a legend,” says Mercedes-Benz Cars SA boss Eckart Mayer. “In line-with Mercedes-Benz’ motto “The Best or Nothing”, we believe that the G-Class brings to market the best in off-road capability, without compromising our heritage and lasting reliability.”

To ensure reachability beyond cell phone connections, Merc has fitted the G-Class with an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Hill Start Assist which allows the car to hold its position momentarily while on a steep incline for smoother take-off, as well as full-time AWD with low-range. The car has a ground clearance of 21.3cm, a wading depth of 60cm, an approach angle of 36° and a departure angle of 31°.

Three engines are being made available at launch. First we have a V6 CDI as used in the G 300 CDI Professional, and paired with a 5-speed automatic. It has an output figure of 135kW at 3800rpm and torque of 400Nm between 1600rpm and 2600rpm. Merc says it will sip diesel at an average rate of 11.7 litres per 100km, with corresponding C02 emissions at 307 g/km.

Up a step is another V6 diesel from the G 350 BlueTec with a peak output of 155kW at 3400rpm, maximum torque of 540Nm between 1600rpm and 2400rpm. Merc claims C02 emissions of 297 g/km for the BlueTec, emanating from an average fuel usage of 11.2 litres per 100km. The 7-speed 7G-TRONIC gearbox it’s friendly with is technically advanced, smoothing out changes along the everyday route, but selecting the optimum gear for the right road conditions.

Last on the list is the daring G 55 AMG which is endowed with a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 making 373kW at 6100rpm and 700Nm 2750rpm and 4000rpm, though I’m not quite sure who would be blasting through a forest at 210km/h in those 275/55 R 19 front and rear rubber shoes. Nevertheless the mandatory robot to robot 0 – 100km/h dash is done away with in just 5.5 seconds, according to numbers provided by its makers.

Merc’s original pimp mobile is back. Will it continue to boldly go where no other luxury SUV has gone before, or will it earn a new tag as a kept, suburban crawler?

G-Class Pricing

G 300 CDI Professional (R773 990)

G 350 BlueTec (R1 227 140)

G 55 AMG (R1 875 100)