 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550. Click image to enlarge |
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First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Manufacturer’s web site autoTRADER.ca |
Review and photos by Greg Wilson
Photo Gallery:
2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
It’s not often you get to drive a $120,000 Mercedes SUV through a muddy, tire-swallowing, chassis-thrashing, gut-wrenching off-road course, but that’s what a group of automotive writers were asked to do earlier this month at an off-road course near Vancouver.
It’s a dirty job, but dammit man, somebody’s got to do it!
The SUV in question was the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550, the company’s top-of-the-line luxury sport utility vehicle which has an MSRP of $120,900. (Okay, you can also buy the outrageous G 63 AMG for $149,900 but there were none on hand for this event). That sounds like a lot of money for what looks like a truck that got stuck in a 70s time-warp, but the G is one of those unique specialty vehicles that appeals to a small, loyal group of well-to-do buyers who want a go-anywhere, luxury-laden SUV with the added prestige of the Mercedes three-pointed star front and centre in the grille.
     2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550. Click image to enlarge |
The G’s boxy styling dates back to 1979 when it was introduced as the Geländewagen, a civilian version of a military vehicle. Like the Jeep Wrangler, the G-Class’ design is considered by its enthusiast owners to be a classic shape that shouldn’t be messed with. Its tall, narrow body and angular shape are also very practical allowing the G 550 to navigate narrow trails without scratching the paint, and providing the driver with excellent visibility through its large, vertical flat windows. I particularly like the fact that it’s easy to see where the hood ends, something that’s not possible in most modern SUVs. And its angular shape provides the maximum amount of interior space, particularly headroom, for a vehicle of this size.
The exterior styling hasn’t changed much for the 2013 model year – there are revised bumpers, new side mirrors and LED daytime running lights – but the interior is where the big changes are. A new instrument panel features a leather-covered dashboard with a prominent iPad-like screen suspended in the centre (not a touch-screen) with functions operated by the COMAND dial on the centre console; navigation system and DVD player, new four-spoke steering wheel with 12 multi-function buttons, new gear shift lever, new instruments, and new climate controls. In a nod to tradition, the G 550 retains the grab handle on the front passenger dashboard (for panicky passengers) and the three (revised) buttons for the differential locks on the centre IP. With its leather upholstery, burl walnut trim, and combination chrome and silver highlights, it’s a richer, more contemporary-looking interior, but the relatively narrow cabin and upright sides still seem old-fashioned when compared to modern SUVs like the Mercedes GL-Class, Audi Q7 and Range Rover. And I was never quite sure whether to step on or over the narrow running boards under the doors; they just seem to get in the way.
Also new for 2013 are safety features such as Blind Spot Assist which provides warnings when other vehicles enter the right or left blind spots; Parktronic rear parking sensors and a rearview camera for to help avoid hidden obstacles behind the vehicle, such as concrete curbs or large rocks; and Distronic Plus adapative cruise control for maintaining a safe cruising distance on the freeway.
The G 550 is motivated by a 382-hp 5.5-litre V8 that offers generous torque of 391 lb-ft between 2,800 and 4,800 rpm, and is mated to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard. Despite the G 550’s brick-like aerodynamics and hefty curb weight of 2,530 kg (5,180 lbs), the G550 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds – but as expected its fuel consumption is abominable: its combined city/hwy rating is 16.1 L/100 km (18 mpg Imperial) and it uses Premium grade gasoline. But as they say, if you can afford the G 550’s asking price…
