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Author Topic: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550  (Read 10594 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« on: November 13, 2012, 06:05:46 am »

Greg Wilson gets down and dirty with Benz's biggest, baddest -- and most expensive -- SUV.

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« Last Edit: November 13, 2012, 10:52:08 am by jyarkony »
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Offline redman

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2012, 08:28:13 am »
I recall seeing these in diesel on the road here. I don't know if they were special order or grey market though.
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Offline OliverD

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2012, 08:37:20 am »
Quote from: redman on November 13, 2012, 08:28:13 am
I recall seeing these in diesel on the road here. I don't know if they were special order or grey market though.

The diesel ones you see are typically the older models that were grey market imports. They're fairly common considering they were never officially offered here.

One thing that is tiring about the articles on this site is the speculation about who buys expensive cars. Does it really matter? At these price points people simply buy what they are attracted to; practical considerations are not as important.

I've always loved the G-class. My only quibble with the new one is that the interior seems a bit too "soft" in comparison to its brick-like exterior styling. I'm sure I could live with it though.
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2012, 09:34:29 am »
That's not a G-wagen. This is a G-wagen:

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Offline hemusbull

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2012, 11:09:39 am »
This luxobox never ever was more than an Euro HUMVEE equivalent for weird individuals/institutions with a lot of disposable budged! But they never fit to the terrorists with Kalashnikovs in their hands!
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Offline Cord

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2012, 11:55:46 am »
^^ That brings up an interesting point. Why do these not garner the instant derision that Hummers did as enviro-destroyers? Anything to do with the "class" of people that buy them? Or is it just the Euro lineage that gets the MB a free pass?
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Offline HeliDriver

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2012, 12:30:03 pm »
^^ I'd chalk it up mostly to size. I saw a G-Class in Calgary the other day, and the thing looks tiny in the sea of full-size SUVs and pickups.

A Hummer (especially the H1, but even the H2) is simply huge, and it's near impossible to miss the in-your-face styling. In comparison, the G-Class is pretty anonymous: I doubt a non-enthusiast would even recognize one on the road.

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Offline Fobroader

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2012, 12:32:12 pm »
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on November 13, 2012, 09:34:29 am
That's not a G-wagen. This is a G-wagen:



I agree!!! I dont need no steenking AMG G-wagen....Id rather have the SMG version  ;D
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Offline opg210

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2012, 12:36:30 pm »
Quote from: Cord on November 13, 2012, 11:55:46 am
^^ That brings up an interesting point. Why do these not garner the instant derision that Hummers did as enviro-destroyers? Anything to do with the "class" of people that buy them? Or is it just the Euro lineage that gets the MB a free pass?
I have a lot of derision for Hummers, well H2s and H3s anyway, because they were just cashing in on the image of the original, they were all about the show. I have a lot of respect for the H1 and this MB, they are the real deal and there is nothing phony about them.  Now the people that buy them to drive to the mall, that's a different story. On the other hand, as people point out you can buy whatever you want, and if I was filthy rich maybe this would be a popular ride in my 12 car garage.

I would maybe dispute how safe these things are. I don't think they were built with a crushable front zone; if they are a steel box like they seem to be - and why wouldn't they be, the original design wasn't to make it safe on the highway - then crashing one would not be very pleasant. No doubt there are a lot of airbags but if the front doesn't crush properly or otherwise absorb the impact of a crash well, ouch.
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2012, 12:48:13 pm »
Quote from: Cord on November 13, 2012, 11:55:46 am
^^ That brings up an interesting point. Why do these not garner the instant derision that Hummers did as enviro-destroyers? Anything to do with the "class" of people that buy them? Or is it just the Euro lineage that gets the MB a free pass?

Familiarity has something to do with it. Lots of Hummers in NA, while the G has been pretty scarce.
In Europe, they have the image of "footballer's car".
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Offline Railton

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2012, 12:49:20 pm »
"And she purrs like a kitten 'till the lake pipes roar" ;D
Railton
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Offline Rupert

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2012, 01:03:21 pm »
I suppose if anarchy reigned everywhere and the roads were not kept maintained and you had a secret large tank of gas in the back 40...you would still be able to go skiing...er..in style. Whilst you are eagerly waiting for all of that to happen...you can use it to go to the local convenience and find a place to practice for armagedon on the weekend. Oh keep a stache of tinned stuff also...and keep an eye out for the Landrover guys. They are tough after tea.
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Offline Weels

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2012, 01:08:57 pm »
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on November 13, 2012, 09:34:29 am
That's not a G-wagen. This is a G-wagen:



Reminds me of this:
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Offline redman

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2012, 01:18:06 pm »
Quote from: Rupert on November 13, 2012, 01:03:21 pm
I suppose if anarchy reigned everywhere and the roads were not kept maintained and you had a secret large tank of gas in the back 40...you would still be able to go skiing...er..in style. Whilst you are eagerly waiting for all of that to happen...you can use it to go to the local convenience and find a place to practice for armagedon on the weekend. Oh keep a stache of tinned stuff also...and keep an eye out for the Landrover guys. They are tough after tea.

Oh....you mean if Romney had won the U.S. presidential election. Ultra rich politics !!! :rofl2:
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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2012, 01:21:38 pm »
This is one of my favourite SUVs. I'd love one.
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Offline Mike

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2012, 01:55:09 pm »
Mercedes fanboi! ;)
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Offline tpl

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #16 on: November 13, 2012, 02:30:55 pm »
Quote from: redman on November 13, 2012, 01:18:06 pm
Quote from: Rupert on November 13, 2012, 01:03:21 pm
I suppose if anarchy reigned everywhere and the roads were not kept maintained and you had a secret large tank of gas in the back 40...you would still be able to go skiing...er..in style. Whilst you are eagerly waiting for all of that to happen...you can use it to go to the local convenience and find a place to practice for armagedon on the weekend. Oh keep a stache of tinned stuff also...and keep an eye out for the Landrover guys. They are tough after tea.

Oh....you mean if Romney had won the U.S. presidential election. Ultra rich politics !!! :rofl2:


Not just the Land Rover guys....there are some suspicious looking people with Toyota Land Cruisers and  rel Hummers out there as well.
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Offline dragonfly

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #17 on: November 13, 2012, 02:43:02 pm »
 Hey..How bout a long wheelbase Jeep Wrangler...Maybe 4 or five of them..As bad as the Jeep may seem..This concentrates it...What a Wastemobile.. But...as they say...to each his own...Jack
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Northernridge

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #18 on: November 13, 2012, 03:49:02 pm »
Quote from: Mike on November 13, 2012, 01:55:09 pm
Mercedes fanboi! ;)

They are precious to us...  :rofl2:
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550
« Reply #19 on: November 13, 2012, 03:51:27 pm »
Quote from: dragonfly on November 13, 2012, 02:43:02 pm
Hey..How bout a long wheelbase Jeep Wrangler...Maybe 4 or five of them..As bad as the Jeep may seem..This concentrates it...What a Wastemobile.. But...as they say...to each his own...Jack

Actually Car and Driver or Motor Trend just put a G-wagon up against a 4 door Wrangler Rubicon.......the Rubicon won the comparison and I agreed with them. I like the vehicle, but for the money, gimme an H1 Hummer any day.
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