Mercedes-Benz G-Class News

Mercedes-Benz Australia has brought a hard-working turbo-diesel version of its iconic G-Wagen back to the local market, with a mild-hybrid twist.

The brutally powerful all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class has made its Australian debut and it comes with quite the price-tag.Called the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, the charged-up beast will set you back a cool $249,900 before on-road costs, while the limited-run Edition One is $299,900.That opening price puts it right up there in Benz’s catalogue, but it’s still not the German brand’s priciest SUV - that title is held by the Mercedes-Maybach EQS680 which is $327,990. The electric Geländewagen sits somewhere between the regular EQS450 SUV ($195,900) and the Maybach version.In terms of rivals, there really are none for the G-Class, but even more so for the electric version. You could look at other high-end electric SUVs like the Lotus Eletre which is $279,990 for the R version. Or something with a combustion engine, like the V8-powered Land Rover Defender Octa ($291,542).But the electric G-Class is more than its price tag. It packs quite the punch from its all-electric powertrain - the first time in the model’s 45-year history it’s been powered by electricity.Maintaining its ladder-frame underpinnings, the G580 features four individually controlled motors located near the wheels, all powered by a 116kWh lithium-ion battery delivering a WLTP range of around 473km.Combined outputs for the big Benz are 432kW of power and 1164Nm of torque.Mercedes says the 0-100km/h acceleration time is 4.7 seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 180km/h.The 400-volt system allows for a charge from 10 to 80 per cent battery capacity in about 32 minutes on a fast charger. The official energy consumption figure is 30.3kWh/100km.Given the off-road chops of the G-Class, Benz says the G580 can still “confidently traverse 45-degree slopes and drive along 35-degree angles”, and it has virtual diff locks generated via torque vectoring.There are various driving modes from ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Individual’ for driving on regular roads, to ‘Trail’ and ‘Rock’ for off-road driving adventures.One of the G580’s tricks is the G-Turn function, which is when the wheels on either side of the vehicle spin in opposite directions, and that in turn makes the G580 do a full 360-degree turn on the spot, but Benz says this should only be activated on loose or unpaved surfaces off-road.A G-Steering function helps manoeuvre in tight spots with the wheels turning at different speeds, which causes slight oversteer and ensures a much smaller turning circle.Despite retaining the regular G-Class’s retro cool ‘block-of-flats’ design, Benz has added some touches to aid aerodynamics, like vents in the flares over the rear wheel arches, a small roof spoiler and more.Inside it gets the full MBUX multimedia setup including all-digital displays and a new Offroad Cockpit function. It also gets a ‘transparent bonnet’, which uses cameras to show a few under the front of the car during off-roading.It wouldn’t be a Benz without numerous options and options packs and they include a Night Package, Superior Line Interior Plus Package and a Manufaktur Exterior Package.The Edition One grade is based on the AMG line and gets blue calipers, different paint, and more high end interior materials exclusive to the grade.

The baby Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is a real thing.The German brand will build the little butch four-wheel drive after announcing its plans in an investor relations presentation, according to US publication Car and Driver.Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Kallenius said previously the company was considering a baby G-Wagen this decade, but now the company appears to have confirmed it will be here sooner rather than later.No further details were given on the little rough and tumble off-roader, but there is a strong chance the baby G-Wagen will be fully electric.Its larger sibling debuted a fully electric version last year, which uses four electric motors to deliver 432kW and an astonishing 1164Nm. A 116kWh battery delivers a driving range of up to 473km.A smaller — and cheaper — baby G-Wagen would most likely use two electric motors. The ability to have two electric motors delivering both four-wheel drive and brutish performance leans into the G-Wagen’s image.Going fully electric isn’t a certainty, as Mercedes-Benz has walked back its electrification plans and is extending the lifespan of hybrid and petrol vehicles as demand for fully electric vehicles has slowed.It is expected to be about the same size as the company’s GLB SUV, which would put it at about 4600mm long or roughly the same size as a Toyota RAV4.This means it will be bigger than the heavily rumoured, but not confirmed, mini Toyota LandCruiser FJ. That vehicle is believed to be about 4500mm or a similar size to compact SUVs such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona.Small — and more affordable — 4WD options are the current flavour of the month.The popularity of the Suzuki Jimny has shown there is a hungry market for a vehicle with the same capabilities as full size off-roaders without all the trimmings that go with it.The mini LandCruiser FJ, is believed to be based on the less sophisticated 'IMV' platform that forms the basis of many vehicles in emerging markets. This is rather than the newer 'TNGA-F' platform that sits underneath the new Toyota Prado and LandCruiser 300.The IMV is a ladder frame chassis that means it's still highly capable off-road but won’t be as polished as the brand's bigger and more expensive 4WDs.

Mercedes-Benz has detailed the latest edition of its AMG G 63 ‘G-Wagon’ with new powertrain, off-road and interior features ahead of its arrival at Mercedes-AMG dealers later this month.Starting at $368,400 before on-road costs, the new G 63 now boasts mild-hybrid technology, though Mercedes says it’s for the sake of faster acceleration rather than improved fuel economy.The 4.0-litre bi-turbo petrol V8 boasts 430kW/850Nm, the same output as its predecessor, though the 48-volt electrical system can boost with 15kW and 200Nm when activated in race mode as part of the optional AMG Performance Package.That means it can deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.3 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than its predecessor.As standard, the G 63 gets upgraded AMG Ride Control Suspension which includes adaptive adjustable damping at each wheel which the car automatically adjusts to its owner’s driving style, road conditions and the selected suspension level. There are a trio of differential lock options as well as underbody skid plates.Off-road performance can also be improved through the optional AMG Active Ride Control Suspension package, which adds active hydraulic stabilisers to compensate for body roll movements on off-road terrain.Mercedes says it also increases the G 63’s climbing ability and improves general ride comfort and handling.Inside, the G 63 sports a brand-new multimedia system, headlined by a new satellite navigation system with an augmented reality (AR) head-up display. It utilises a front-facing camera to display the road ahead with windscreen graphics to point out directions to the driver.A new transparent bonnet feature similarly uses inbuilt cameras to provide a virtual projection of the ground conditions beneath and in front of the vehicle to help drivers avoid obstacles in off-road and urban environments.There is a 12.0-inch digital driver’s display which can be customised according to a number of themes, such as Supersport, which adds a central tachometer with horizontal displays on the right and left.It sits next to a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.There’s a new touchpad for controls in the centre console as well as a haptic controller on G 63’s latest-generation AMG Performance steering wheel, which comes clad in Nappa leather. It also carries a rotary controller, allowing the driver to flick through five on-road and three off-road drive modes.Additional standard interior features include Nappa leather upholstered seats, a premium Burmester 3D surround sound system, a sliding glass sunroof, a microfibre roof liner and black flamed open pore ash wood and piano black lacquer trims.Changes to the G 63’s exterior design are relatively minimal and include revised air intakes on the front bumper, a new badge featuring the AMG crest on the bonnet, new A-pillar cladding, a small spoiler lip on the roof’s rear edge and a chrome fuel cap with the AMG logo.Standard wheel size has been increased to 22 inches, coming in the form of AMG cross-spoked forged alloy rims in a matte black and high-sheen finish.Also standard is the AMG Night Package which adds dark design elements across the vehicle’s body, such as the radiator shell, bumper inserts, mirror housings, underguards, headlight units and exterior trim strips. AMG brake callipers come standard in red but can be painted in black at no additional cost.Standard safety features include a surround-view camera, blind-spot assist, active distance assist and active steering assist. There's also Mercedes' PRE-SAFE accident preparation system which uses the car's sensors to protect drivers in the case of an incident through measures such as automatically tightening the seat belts and adjusting the front head rests.As always there is a myriad of optional packages on the G 63, with Mercedes offering up to 21 different leather upholsteries, four alloy wheel options, five interior trims and three seatbelt colours. There are also 28 external paint colours to choose from.“The G-Class is an automotive icon, and the Mercedes-AMG G 63 has been the most popular model for many years. This is both an obligation and an incentive for us,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Head of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class business unit.“Our aim was therefore to make the enhanced performance even more tangible – both on and off road. One of the ways we have achieved this is through improvements to the V8 engine and our new AMG suspension, which combines agility, driving dynamics and comfort. We are thus catering even more to our customers’ wishes. The new G 63 is more AMG than ever before.”Pricing for Mercedes-AMG G 63 option packagesPricing is at before on-road costs 

For the first time in its 45-year history, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G-Series to its mates) features propulsion provided by something other than unburstable internal-combustion engines with the official reveal of the G580 pure-electric version of the iconic 4WD SUV at this year’s Beijing motor show.

The 2025 update for the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been revealed, with small design tweaks and new powertrain tech for the plush off-roader.

BYD's cut-price answer to vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Nissan Patrol and Ford Everest has been cleared for launch, with the Fang Cheng Bao 5 clearing its final regulatory hurdles ahead of launch.

After a two-year hiatus, Mercedes-Benz Australia will once again begin taking orders for its AMG-tuned G-Class, but customers will be asked to pay more than ever for the V8-powered off-roader.

Hyundai’s tough ladder-frame rival for the LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol could spawn a luxury-soaked Genesis version, giving the Korean premium brand an answer to vehicles like the Lexus LX and the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.That’s the word from Genesis’ Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, who says he has sketches of a Genesis-badged off-roader ready to go, while at the same time hinting that a true Hyundai Group 4WD is coming by saying that he couldn’t talk about it “yet”.If and when that model appears, it will be on the table for a Genesis version, with Mr Donckerwolke saying “I don’t see why it wouldn’t fit the brand”.“I cannot talk about that yet” he said. “But it’s always the same thing — we make synergies within our group, and when we see that there is a potential to utilise (a vehicle), when this is inline with the brand values, why not?“I don’t see why it would not fit the brand. We have a defined line-up of vehicles, and whether there are extra satellites that will add to that, this is something to be discussed, but first we have to do the homework.”A ladder-frame 4WD has long been rumoured at Hyundai and Kia, with the work going into the latter’s dual-cab ute expected to be adopted into an off-road-focused SUV.And with Genesis on board, the model could be among the most powerful in Australia. Genesis uses a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline-six engine, good for a substantial 205kW and 588Nm, in its GV80, for example. And then there’s the not-so-small matter of that same model’s lusty twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6. That engine produces a significant 279kW and 530Nm, fed through an eight-speed auto and sent to all four wheels.The only question Mr Donckerwolke has to answer is whether the model would be the "right genetic fit" with the brand."If you have a G-Wagon, for example, then this car is justified because of its heritage, even more than because of its performance," he says."To plug something artificially into a brand could be a mistake if it does not have the right genetic fit with the brand. As a design? Yes? As a business opportunity, that’s another story."That said, the design guru says he has sketches of a Genesis 4WD ready to go so he'll "Will we see a Genesis answer to the Lexus LX? We'll have to wait and see.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagen, has become iconic through its rugged design and increasingly luxurious specification, but a smaller version of the celebrity accessory could be on the way if Mercedes' CEO has his way.According to a report from Germa