Test drive Mercedes G 500: the legend continues

After 39 years on the market, the legendary Model G has a successor.

Many, including us, feared that the distinctive character of this exceptional vehicle might be weakened with the new model. Our first test of the G 500 version showed nothing of the kind!

Sometimes turning points occur in the history of the automotive industry. For example, until recently, none of us were really sure that Mercedes was actually planning to create an entirely new generation of its iconic G-model. However, for four decades, the Stuttgart brand has successfully maintained the legend of this model, slowly and methodically modernizing it, but without fundamental changes.

And here he is. The new G 500. It marks the end of the era of the first Model G, which began in the 1970s and in which Austria participated. Want to hear a short version of the story again? Well, with pleasure: as Steyr-Daimler-Puch is working on Haflinger's successor, several smart executives at the company recall how “nice” it was to lose to Mercedes in a battle for a large order from the Swiss army. It is for this reason that this time around, Steyr decided to first ask Stuttgart if the company with the three-pointed star is interested in a possible collaboration. The two companies started working together in 1972, and names such as Chancellor Bruno Kreisky and the Shah of Persia emerged around the project. The contracts were signed, the new company became a fact, and on February 1, 1979, the first Puch and Mercedes G rolled off the assembly line in Graz.

39 years later and 300 copies later, a new edition of a phenomenon that we all thought would last forever appeared on the scene. The G-model is not just a car and not just an SUV. This is a symbol whose meaning is not much inferior to the Cologne Cathedral. And to create a full-fledged heir to something like this is almost impossible. To this end, the brand's engineers and stylists have studied the technique of the G-model very deeply in order to discover what makes the model so unique in its character. There's no doubt that, in terms of design, their mission seems to have been successfully accomplished - with bulging turn signals, external door hinges and an outboard spare wheel, this Mercedes looks like a kind of bridge between past and present. The idea of ​​classic design is very skillfully conveyed in the completely changed proportions of the body - the model has grown by 000 cm in length, by 15,5 cm in the wheelbase, by 5 cm in width and by 17,1 cm in height. The new dimensions give the G-Model ample interior space, though it's smaller than expected and the trunk holds less than before. On the other hand, traveling in the upholstered rear seats is incomparably more pleasant than before. However, it should be borne in mind that in order to achieve comfort in the interior, you must first overcome a fairly solid height. The driver and his companions sit exactly 1,5 cm above the ground - 91 cm higher than, for example, in the V-class. We go upstairs and close the doors behind us - the sound of the last action, by the way, is more like a barricade than a simple closure. The sound that is heard when the central lock is activated seems to come from reloading an automatic weapon - another nice reference to the past.

Designers are also in dismay, because the speakers follow the shape of the turn signals, and the ventilation nozzles resemble headlights. It all seems somehow natural and quite appropriate - after all, the G-model fits and looks classic, although in recent years some rather unusual (but really beautiful in their own right) versions of it have appeared, such as 4 × 4² or the Maybach-Mercedes G 650 6×6 Landaulet.

Limits of the possible

The new organ is mounted on a high-strength steel base frame, which is extremely strong and helps to lower the center of gravity. The chassis developed by AMG is a small technological revolution for the model: the concept of a rigid axle is left only at the rear, while at the front the new model has pairs of crossbars on each wheel. But don't get the wrong impression - the G-Model hasn't lost anything in its off-road qualities: the all-wheel drive system in the standard position sends 40 percent of traction to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle. Naturally, the model also has a lowering transmission mode, as well as three differential locks. It should be noted that the role of the locking center differential is actually taken over by a plate clutch with a locking ratio of 100. In general, the electronics have full control over the operation of the dual drive, to convince the traditionalists, there are also 100 percent locks on the front and rear differentials. In the "G" mode, the steering, drive and shock absorber settings are changed. The car has a ground clearance of 27 cm and the ability to overcome slopes of 100 percent, and the maximum side slope without the risk of rollover is 35 degrees. All these figures are better than its predecessor, and this is a pleasant surprise. However, the real surprise comes from others, namely the fact that now the G-model manages to impress us with its behavior on the pavement.

About the passion for adventure and one more

Let's be honest: when we had to describe the behavior of the G-model on the pavement, over the past two decades, we have invariably had to find some sound and plausible excuses so that both of us could be objective and not detract from the car's other undeniably valuable qualities. In other words: in many ways, the super-motorized versions with V8/V12 engines behaved about the same as a raging brontosaurus on roller skates might look like. Now, for the first time in its history, the G-model behaves on the road like a regular car, and not like an SUV, which is mainly and mainly on rough terrain. Despite having a rigid rear axle and an impressive ability to handle tough situations, the G really rolls over bumps really well, and the electromechanical steering is precise and gives great feedback. The only thing that reminds of the high center of gravity is the noticeable swaying of the body – even in sport mode. The laws of physics apply to everyone...

In the immediate vicinity of the car, a sharp left turn begins, and the speed of movement turns out to be so, let's say, higher than what can be described as accurate enough for this car in this particular turn. With the old G-model in this situation, all you had to do was press one of the differential lock buttons - to have at least a minimal chance of not going in the direction you least want to go, at least on your car. . However, the new model takes a completely neutral turn, albeit with a whistle of tires (they are of the All-Terrain type) and are accompanied by decisive reactions from the ESP system, but still the G-model copes without the risk of leaving the roadway. In addition, the G-model stops really well, it will probably handle even more convincingly with stock road tires. Only the choice of auxiliary systems seems scarce, given the price category of the model.

However, there can be no shortage of V8 Biturbo engine under the hood, which he knew from his predecessor and the AMG GT. 422 hp And the 610 Nm unit can never complain about the lack of dynamics: acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h is performed in less than six seconds. And if you want more - please: AMG G 63 with 585 hp. and 850 Nm at your disposal and capable of shaking the ground beneath you. If you want a 2,5-ton machine to be more fuel efficient, you have an Eco mode that temporarily disables cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 at part load. Despite the best efforts of Mercedes engineers to achieve greater savings, the average consumption in the test was 15,9 l / 100 km. But this was to be expected. And, frankly, for such a machine, this is quite forgivable.

In conclusion, we can say that the new G-model in all respects is presented exactly as befits a G-model, and even better than its predecessor in all respects. The legend continues!

EVALUATION

Four and a half stars, despite the price and fuel consumption - yes, they are shockingly high, but not decisive for the final rating of such a machine. The G-Model has remained one hundred percent a true G-model and is practically superior to its legendary predecessor - it has become incredibly safer, more comfortable, more pleasant to drive and even more passable.

Body

+ Wonderful view from the driver's seat in all directions

Five very comfortable seats for passengers and plenty of space for their luggage.

Noble materials in the interior and extremely reliable workmanship.

The sound of locking and unlocking doors is simply incomparable

- difficult access to the salon.

Limited flexibility in interior space

Partially complex function control

Comfort

+ Very good suspension comfort

Seats are ideal for long walks

– Perceptible aerodynamic noise and sounds from the power path

Lateral body vibrations

Engine / transmission

+ Heavy-duty V8 with impressive traction at all rpm modes

Well tuned automatic transmission ...

- ... which, however, moves relatively late into the highest of its nine degrees

Travel behavior

+ Excellent performance on rough terrain

Very slight deficiencies in handling

Safe cornering behavior

– Large turning radius

Swaying the material body

Early onset of understeer tendencies

safety

+ Good considering the weight of the car's brakes

– For the price category, the choice of assistance systems is not great

ecology

+ With the G-model, you can get to places in nature that are inaccessible to almost any other car

Covers 6d-Temp norms

– Very high fuel consumption

Costs

+ The car is a real and future classic, with an extremely low degree of wear

– Price and service at a level typical of the most luxurious class.

Text: Sebastian Renz

Photo: Arturo Rivas