ICON REINVENTED

NEW G-CLASS INTRODUCED

The Mercedes-benz G-class has long been considered a design icon, and its external appearance has not changed significantly since 1979. It is more of the same with the brandnew model that made its global debut in January thisyear.inshort,thenew‘g’isstilla‘g’,onlybetter.

According to Mercedes-benz the G-class continues to serve very specific purposes, and this gives it its unique appearance. While it has hardly changed visually, the iconic off-roader is now 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider. This means 38 mm more legroom in front and 150 mm more in the rear, as well as more shoulder and elbow room front and rear. The cabin has been fundamentally redesigned, with a completely revised instrument panel in the form of a large display with virtual instruments in the driver’s direct field of vision.

The new suspension gives it 6 mm more ground clearance between the axles, climbing ability of up to 100% on suitable surface, a maximum fording depth of 700 mm

(up 100 mm), a sevendegree higher tilt angle, as well as higher approach, departure and break-over angles.

It is around 170 kg lighter and about 55% more rigid, resulting in lower noise and vibration levels. In the new G500, a high-performance 4.0-litre V8 biturbo petrol engine produces 310 kw and 610 Nm of torque. It is coupled to a 9G-tronic auto transmission with torque converter and now has Dynamic Select driving modes, including “G-mode” and three differential locks. Expect it to land in South Africa about mid-year …