new delhi,oct 06:
Mercedes-Benz has launched the second generation G-Class SUV in India in the G 63 AMG iteration at Rs 2.19 crore (ex-showroom India). The luxury carmaker had previously also had the G-Class in India, but in the G 63 AMG avatar only, which was priced at Rs 2.18 crores (ex-showroom India). Here are a few interesting things that you should know about this expensive Mercedes-Benz SUV which feels at home on most terrains.
A bit of history: Mercedes-Benz says that the G-Class is its longest serving passenger vehicle model series. It was first launched in 1979. The letter ‘G’ in all M-B SUVs is derived from the G-Class; M-B considers it the forefather of its entire SUV lineup. It’s also sometimes referred to as the G-Wagen, short for Geländewagen, which means ‘an off-road vehicle’ in German language.The G-Class is meant to be taken off road but at the same time, it offers features that you’d expect from a luxury car. When M-B conceptualised the G-Class for the first time, it wanted it to be a vehicle with ‘superior off-road capability’ and yet be a ‘full-featured and safe vehicle suitable for recreational purposes’. It has always been underpinned by a ladder-frame chassis and has had AWD (all-wheel drive) and 100 per cent differential locks from the beginning. Besides being a capable off-roader, the G-Class is a tarmac scorcher too. In its latest avatar, the AMG-honed G-Class (G 63 AMG) powered by the 4.0-litre, 577PS engine boasts a 0-100kmph time of 4.5 seconds, same as the existing model. While that may not be supercar territory, it’s still at par with some other Mercedes-AYes, Mercedes-Benz officially calls the latest G-Class to be a new generation. While it still retains its original shape, it has received major changes to its chassis, which is now more rigid than before, and suspension setup. That said, the G-Class did receive some revisions in the past as well to its engines, interiors, features and even underpinning.
New generation introduction: The latest G-Class was officially revealed in January 2018. The new model is 53 mm longer, 121 mm wider and has a ground clearance of 241mm, which is 6mm more than before. Other significant improvements: Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new drive mode known as “G mode” in the G-Class SUV. G mode enhances G-Class off-road ability and switches on when low range option is selected. Apart from an increase in ground clearance, the G-Class fording depth is up by 100mm (at 700mm), approach angle and break-over angle is up by 1 degree and tilt angle is up by 7 degrees.The luxury carmaker is also offering its 9-speed 9G-Tronic transmission with the G-Class now. For the first time, the G-Class has received a rack-and-pinion steering instead of the recirculating ball-type unit. That has allowed Mercedes-Benz to offer Parking Assist in the SUV. As far as the cabin is concerned, the G-Class now offers 150mm more legroom in the rear and 38mm more legroom at the front.
