2016 Mercedes-Benz G 300 CDI G-Professional Cab Chassis | new car sales price

Mercedes launches ultra-tough cab-chassis G-Wagen to sit beneath the existing luxury SUVs.

Mercedes-Benz continues its push into the commercial vehicle space, with the company today dropping details of a pared back utility cab-chassis version of its G-Class 4x4.

Known as the G-Professional, the cab chassis has huge carrying capacity, a long list of standard equipment not seen on any other car and serious off-road credentials.

It’s not what you’d call cheap, though, starting at $119,900 before on-road costs. It’s available in just one variant, called the G300 CDI.

It’s designed with off-road work in mind

The G-Professional is based on the company’s G-Wagen, though it’s more tuned for life in rugged, off-road conditions. It boasts a payload of 2085kg (minus the weight of whatever tray is fitted), but the braked towing capacity is a surprising 2210kg unlike the 3500kg of most light commercial utes these days.

It’s designed with off-road work in mind, with items like an engine snorkel, bullbar, sump guard, twin batteries, wheel chocks, vinyl seats and rubber mats fitted as standard equipment.

It also comes with niceties like air-conditioning and under-seat storage.

Safety-wise, the Merc comes only with switchable stability control, brake force distribution and brake assist, and just two airbags. No hill control descent mode is offered.

It boasts 96 litres of diesel capacity for its 135kW, 400Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo, with the drive sent 50:50 to each end via three diff locks and a five-speed auto gearbox. No manual is offered.

It offers three diff locks, 245mm ground clearance, a 650mm wading depth and manually adjustable engine control, along with 38/35-degree approach/departure angles and a break-over point of 22 degrees.

It’s only available as a special-order item through Mercedes dealers at present.

Is the G-Professional’s asking price too much for an off-road ute? Tell us what you think in the comments below.