.
This is a Mercedes-Benz unlike any other.
The G550, originally engineered for military
and rescue service, has become an unlikely icon
in the civilian world. Driven by movers and shakers,
the G Wagen is one itself with epic off-road
capability. Starting at $120,000, 123 as tested,
it's likely that owners will never do this.
Then again, I'm not the owner am I.
Wish I had a better evil maniacal laugh.
It's no Johnny-come-lately. Structurally the
Gelandewagen as it's also known has remained
much the same since 1979. It's been updated
over the years but there's a historical vault-like
German gravitas that even the Germans don't produce anymore.
You don't see windshields this upright these days.
Or so close.
Stability control and adaptive cruise control
tech are on board but the vibe is analog
in this digital world.
The G rides on traditional truck body-on-frame
architecture, the structure is welded together
from fully boxed section of steel for strength.
And I love this detail, once the frame is welded
together, it's flooded with hot wax to prevent corrosion.
Three lockable differentials, a low range, and a 7-speed
transmission should get you to Barney's in bad weather.
The grunt is now provided by a 4-liter biturbo V8
with 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque
0-60 roars up in under six seconds
Remember, this weighs some 5,800 pounds, about
the same as two fully optioned Honda Civics,
and those are not small cars anymore.
Throw that heft into a turn and the inertia
can be felt in your bones. You definitely
don't want to go into a corner hot.
Fuel economy is pretty much the same no matter
how it's driven. Even the wealthy may wince.
Most modern crossovers have a locked down on-center feel.
This is a truck albeit a very nice truck, and
it requires a certain amount of constant correction,
especially when you're cruising down the highway.
The G550 is electronically limited to 130 miles an
hour. Not sure I'd want to go there.
This though is a different matter.
Considering the cost, I'll wager that anyone
that actually pays for a G Wagen won't try to
tackle terrain much tougher than this and I
haven't even considered using low range or
the lockable differentials. Kudos to those who do though.
With a continuous all-wheel drive set up, the 550's
appeal is more old school than Range Rover's
user friendly Terrain Response system.
Mercedes claims the G can tackle an 80 percent
incline up or down, I'll have to trust them there,
don't feel like testing my insurance policy.
Certainly trimmed up better than its military
counterparts, occupants view the world though
expansive glass from a high perch. The chairs
have a few tricks they are noticeably comfortable,
extremely adjustable and climate controlled.
This is not the latest version of the COMAND
user interface but far more sophisticated
than what was available back in the 80's,
there's nothing like night vision found on the
S Class. The removable cup holder can help improve
your three point shot skills. He shoots he scores.
Rear passengers definitely sit higher than
those in front. Room is okay.There's no folding armrest.
Not that it doesn't have its amenities, here's
something you don't see much these days. The G Wagen
is a two-row machine and dropping the seatbacks
to haul big things is not a simple single lever affair.
It takes some effort.
A liftgate would protect you from the rain, it
also wouldn't keep you from your cargo.
Pretty sure these could be used for tow hooks.
The square shape is very efficient when loading
provisions. Enough to supply Germany's entire Bundeswehr
for a full day, that's 16 packs.
Mercedes has signaled an end to production of this
legend over the past decade, and yet it soldiers on.
A unique combination of utility, luxury, status, capability,
and history, nothing makes people say gee quite like the G Wagen.
The G was originally built because of a request from the
Shaw of Iran for a military vehicle that could go
anywhere, and I do mean ANYWHERE. There is a
perverse kind of fun to playing around in
the dirt with a 120K vehicle.
The low end burble of the V8 is reminiscent of a
battleship. So is the turning radius.
Lots of three-point turns in this rig.
Notice how good the audio was? It wasn't
so good the first day I did it...
(SOUND OF VERY SCRATCH BAD AUDIO)
Turns out my GoPro audio cord adapter was bad
and I didn't know it till I got home. So I had
to schlep back out and shoot that stuff again.
Poor me, more off-roading. The gas bill
was a bit steep though.
Of course you all know I shoot these videos myself
so I need someone to get behind the wheel for running footage.
I'd like to thank Nate Tennis for driving out here at
Dirtfish Rally School. Nate want to give a plug for
Dirtfish? Come out to Dirtfish Rally School any
time you want at www.dirtfish.com. Well said,
you are a true professional. You know it.
You have something in your eye Nate?
That's my option of the Mercedes-Benz G Wagen.
You may have noticed I used my drove for the
first time in this piece, I bought a
DJI Phantom 4 in case you're wondering.
The learning curve was a little bit steep
for me it took me about three hours to
get the shots that I used. But, I'm assuming
it will go a little bit faster after that,
safety first. Right?
That's Driven, I'm Tom Voelk.
Wait for it.....
PLUNK!