Starting from next month the new generation of the G-Wagen, which thankfully looks exactly the same as the old models, goes into production with new engines and features. Britain will get two versions of the car, the G350 diesel and the G63 AMG. The normal V8 and the V12-powred G65 are not offered in the Kingdom.
The G 350 BlueTEC diesel is the entry-level model with 211 horsepower, 25.2 mpg and 295 g/km. Despite being a diesel it’s not very economical – because the car is so heavy, and despite being an entry-level version it’s not cheap at all.
The G350 BlueTEC starts from £82,945, which is actually a lot. But that’s the thing about the G-Class. The car doesn’t make any sense. You just know you want one. You don’t really know why!
The other model available is really bonkers, and at £123,115 it’s even more expensive. It’s the Mercedes G63 AMG powered by the new 5.5 liter AMG biturbo V8 developing 544 hp and 760 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is as you expect: poor. If you push it, it does about 20 mpg. On the upside it has monstrous straight line performance and it’s probably the coolest car in the world.
As for the specs and trims, the G350 comes with tandard equipment including new LED daytime running lights and a reworked interior that, for the first time, is fitted with COMAND Online. Also fitted as standard is Parktronic, an audio and visual parking aid and new leather upholstery in conjunction with heated front and rear seats. A new design of 18” five-spoke alloy wheels, electric folding and heated mirrors, instrument cluster with colour display and a mighty Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound audio system complete the changes.
Meanwhile the G63 features AMG radiator grille with twin chrome fins running through the black mesh grille, AMG sports exhaust system with chromed twin tailpipes and a new 20” five-twin-spoke alloy wheel design in Titanium Grey high-sheen finish. Interior highlights include AMG selector lever with leather insets and an embossed AMG emblem, AMG stainless steel illuminated door sill panels complete with AMG lettering and an AMG instrument cluster with colour display and Harman Kardon system.
The G63 also gets the Chrome Package and Exterior Styling Package as standard, while they’re optional extras for the G350, costing £765 and £1,515 respectively.