New cars today are as much wheeled, wearable computers as they are modes of transport. But if you wanted to pick a new vehicle that was as far away from the brave new connected mobility future we keep hearing so much about, you couldn't do much better than the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Better known to its fans—which are legion—as the Geländewagen, the boxy four-wheel drive vehicle has been in production since 1979, changing very little in the intervening time. Despite this, it continues to find buyers, a fact more remarkable when you consider that this automotive antique comes with a price tag to match. (The outgoing model starts at $123,600!)
Most other OEMs would eventually consign such an old model
to the archives, but not Mercedes-Benz. It has reworked the SUV to give the
G-Class an all-new interior, some 21st-century technology, and sorely needed
handling improvements while retaining that angular 1970s look.
The original G-Class was intended as a rugged vehicle for
the military, crossing over onto "civvie street" with customer
versions like the now-deceased Land Rover Defender and Hummer H1. As such,
off-road performance was extremely important, and Mercedes says the revised
Geländewagen is even better in this regard. There's all-new double-wishbone
suspension at the front axle and a rigid rear axle (with trailing rods and a
Panhard rod). The independent front suspension allows for a stiffer front end,
as well as better on-road manners. (Let's face it, this is where almost all new
G-Classes will spend their lives.)
While the 2019 G-Class looks near-identical to the old
model, it's actually a little longer (2.1 inches/53mm) and a little wider (4.8
inches/121mm) than before.
Those larger dimensions mean more room on the inside,
particularly in the back; rear legroom has grown by 5.9 inches (150mm). But the
most noticeable change is apparent from the driver's seat. Out go old-fashioned
physical dials, replaced by a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays, arranged
together to form a widescreen panel. Don't worry, Geländewagen fans—the default
theme for the main instrument display replicates a pair of round analog dials.
One thing the new digital system is missing is
Mercedes-Benz' newest infotainment system, MBUX. We got a demo of this Linux-based
platform last week at CES, and compared to the brand's current offerings, it
represents a real step forward. Sadly that system is due to debut in the next
A-Class, which right now seems unlikely to come to the US.
When the G-Class goes on sale in the US toward the end of
the year, it will continue to target the upper end of the market, with just a
4.0L turbocharged V8 G550 on offer. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but
expect to pay a lot. It makes you wonder if Land Rover missed a trick letting
the Defender off-roader die, doesn't it?
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