Author Topic: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (Read 7624 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** June 06, 2012, 04:04:36 am »

Mercedes-Benz' G-Class is a "ridiculous contraption for poseurs with more money than brains," says Peter Bleakney.

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tpl · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2012, 05:36:06 am »

The German equivalent of that chi-chi Range Rover the other day I guess. If CAFE could only do one thing, then getting rid of these vehicles and getting back to the basic idea, a go anywhere truck, would be almost worth it.

JohnM · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2012, 07:42:15 am »

Are these things allowed to be taken more than 20 km from Yorkville?

I look forward to the day when form follows function and people who want to show off their wealth just imbed diamonds in their teeth.

Cheers,
John M.

hemusbull · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2012, 08:20:39 am »

I don't understand "Versace jacket" comparison with this flat glass windowed, square, styleless and disproportional moving box only the pope could like!

tpl · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2012, 08:37:27 am »

Quote from: JohnM on June 06, 2012, 07:42:15 am

Are these things allowed to be taken more than 20 km from Yorkville?

I look forward to the day when form follows function and people who want to show off their wealth just imbed diamonds in their teeth.

Cheers,
John M.

In certain parts of Darkest Africa IIRC some people DO imbed diamonds in their teeth.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2012, 08:49:17 am »

I forgot MB still made this thing.

redman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2012, 08:53:16 am »

Clearly not a vehicle for the average driver. This falls into the realm of extravagant for those that don't know what to do with that extra coin. It's comparable to any high end brand or fashion product. The price is secondary for those who simply want to make a statement or feel that they must drive a certain vehicle within certain circles.

Oddly enough I can justify this vehicle as a form of pure overindulgence since it's a vehicle onto it's own more then I can justify a wannabe version of another car made by the same company i.e. ES350 vs Camry. Just get the real deal the GS to justify the price difference.

Ace · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2012, 08:57:32 am »

Hmmm, so you travelled all the way to France to test this thing

??

lebowski · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2012, 09:33:16 am »

Quote from: Vmango on June 06, 2012, 09:03:33 am

Why so the comments always get directed towards ego and these threads turn into and "us vs them?"

Why can't anyone buy this because they simply like it? I've always loved the G-Wagon; I think it's cool.

Agreed! I see only two knocks against this latest G-class - 1) it badly needs a diesel, and 2) That NAV screen in the updated interior looks awful - it looks like a $150 TomTom aftermarket unit you'd get at Futureshop, and it really kills the interior deign.

One thing about the G- I've always admired is how good the build quality seems to be. They're possibly the only Mercedes that still feel like they were hewn from granite, over-engineered and built to a standard - not to a cost, as they are today.

Ace · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:10:08 am »

It kinda resembles my Nissan XTrail, except it costs $100,000 more.

Fobroader · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:15:05 am »

Quote from: Vmango on June 06, 2012, 09:03:33 am

Why so the comments always get directed towards ego and these threads turn into and "us vs them?"

Why can't anyone buy this because they simply like it? I've always loved the G-Wagon; I think it's cool.

Im with ya! A diesel option would be more useful day to day than a 550 horse V8 but otherwise this is easily one of the coolest SUVs on the market. If you can afford it, why not?!?!?!

canuckystan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2012, 11:05:55 am »

I love that thing...if you can afford to buy it, good on ya. You'd be hard pressed to find a more capable off-road vehicle in stock form. If you have enought to buy it, you have enough to repair the BC pinstripes from offroading.

nsmyhte · « **Reply #12 on:** June 06, 2012, 12:29:27 pm »

Quote from: hemusbull on June 06, 2012, 08:20:39 am

I don't understand "Versace jacket" comparison with this flat glass windowed, square, styleless and disproportional moving box only the pope could like!

If its good enough for the Pope, its good enough for me!

hemusbull · « **Reply #13 on:** June 06, 2012, 01:05:33 pm »

Well, for the years ago deceised pope John Paul II. The current one, even German national himself, chose much more modern Mercedes ML class...

aaronk · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2012, 01:11:56 pm »

It's nonsensical, but arguably so are many of the other overbuilt 4x4's that never touch the dirt and that is a separate issue. I like that the G is so different from everything else out there. Its smaller than most other vehicles of its type so it can actually fit in a parking spot, and it has a boxy shape that lends itself to functionality. Having seen it in person at the auto show that army-bunker 'thunk' the doors make would be addictive, it feels as if its structure was hewn from a solid piece of steel. The short dash and upright windshield make you feel like you're driving a small transport truck. The whole thing is just interesting and different, which is perhaps part of the appeal when so many other vehicles look and feel the same.

nlm · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2012, 01:29:48 pm »

No shots of the cargo area? IIRC the wheelwells can be used as seats and if used as such the cargo area looks like a troop carrier. That's cool I don't care who you are!

Add this to the RR and GC SRT8 off/on-road comparo please!

tpl · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2012, 02:52:44 pm »

Quote from: canuckystan on June 06, 2012, 11:05:55 am

I love that thing...if you can afford to buy it, good on ya. You'd be hard pressed to find a more capable off-road vehicle in stock form. If you have enought to buy it, you have enough to repair the BC pinstripes from offroading.

And that is the thing ( to me anyway). A G-wagen IS cool. But a blinged out overpowered G-Wagen is not cool.
Exactly the same as that RR that was on the forum last week.

MY G-wagen, just for driving around Guelph, needs a layer of Kevlar inside the shell to stop regular rifle rounds please....does that count as bling?

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2012, 03:35:07 pm »

This belongs on the Top Gear cool wall under "seriously uncool"with the rest of the footballer's cars. The Canadian Forces version, now that's cool.

Fobroader · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2012, 03:38:43 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on June 06, 2012, 03:35:07 pm

This belongs on the Top Gear cool wall under "seriously uncool"with the rest of the footballer's cars. The Canadian Forces version, now that's cool.

Still not half as tacky as an Escalade/FX50/Lexus LX and GX/Infinity QX56.....Though I really do like the CF versions of them more than an AMG tuned one. They are way more up my alley, but still, a G55 would be a fun car to drive around for a bit.

ArticSteve · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2012, 04:55:50 pm »

A total of 1,159 vehicles have been ordered by the Canadian Army beginning in late 2003.[8] An armoured kit can be fitted (or removed) in 8 hours by three soldiers. Their light armour has been criticised for leading to loss of life in Afghanistan, however it is considerably better than the Iltis predecessor.[9]
Delivery of these vehicles to Reserve units has also begun. They will be deployed in armoured reconnaissance units. It is in the final stages of fully replacing the Iltis in most units as the armoured reconnaissance vehicle in use LFCA. Other units will replace the Iltis with a militarized Chevrolet Silverado known as the MILCOTS (or colloquially as the "Milverado".) For the most exposed missions in Afghanistan 75 RG-31 Nyala built by BAE Land Systems OMC, South Africa, will be used.[10]

Author Topic: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (Read 7624 times)

nsmyhte