Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4 Squared ute | spy pics

Is there no end to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class/G-wagen/Gelandewagen spin-offs? It seems so because these spy photos suggest the high-and-mighty G500 4X4 Squared is about to get a ute brother.

Spotted here testing in Lapland, this prototype appears to bear many of the traits of the G500 4x4 Squared wagon including the same portal axle-aided suspension lift, 22-inch wheels and the dual side exhaust. A covered section behind the second row doors hints at a stubby tray similar to that seen on the monster G63 AMG 6X6 which never made it to Australia.

Unlike the existing 4X4 Squared, this vehicle appears to ride on the longer wheelbase of the G-Professional single-cab cab-chassis that arrived in Australia late last year.  

The shorter G500 4X4 Squared wagon first appeared in concept guise at the 2015 Geneva motor show, before the production version went on sale in Europe last year.

Right-hand drive demand globally isn’t enough just yet.

Sitting a full 240mm taller than a regular G-Class on 325/55 rubber, the 4X4 Squared wagon also packs a detuned 310kW version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the AMG GT and current C63 and E63.

Mercedes Australia public relations manager Jerry Stamoulis tells CarsGuide than any version of the 4X4 Squared is unlikely to reach Down Under, however.

“The current 4X4 Squared or 6X6 aren’t available to us,” he said. “We’re not a large market but we do have customers that are interested so there’s no firm decision if we’ll be able to make those vehicles available.

“It’s a global business case – it’s a right hand drive question. Right-hand drive demand globally isn’t enough just yet – a handful of customers want them but it’s obvious not enough. If you had right hand markets like Japan and Africa wanting a substantial amount there might be a way for it to happen, but not at this stage."

Would you put your hard-earned down on a G500 4x4 Squared ute? Tell us what you think in the comments below.