Automotive

Mercedes makes the G500 4x4 Squared official

View 30 Images
The G500 4x4 Squared at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared increases your off-roading capability "exponentially"
Whether you choose to launch it into the air or not, the new G500 4x4 Squared promises plenty of off-road fun
The new G500 model can ford waters more than 3 ft deep
The portal axles give the G500 4x4 Squared increased ground clearance
The G500 4x4 Squared starts at €226,100
Mercedes promises that the on-road ride is as much a selling point as the off-road capability
The G500 4x4 Squared is a derivative of the G63 AMG 6x6
After showing the G500 4x4 Squared as a "near series" show car earlier this year, Mercedes is officially launching it
The G500 4x4 is powered by the new 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine
The G500 has three locking differentials and an off-road reduction
The G500 4x4 Squared has 416 hp on tap
Mercedes' new suspension is designed to give the G500 4x4 excellent handling on and off the road
Not quite as extreme as the G63 6x6 but definitely a bit above and beyond the average 4x4
The Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared is now available for order
Inside the G500 4x4 Squared show car
The G500 4x4 Squared has two spring/damper struts running in parallel on each wheel
Inside the G500 4x4 Squared show car
Mercedes showed the concept car set up with available M/T tires but doesn't mention the option in its production press release
The Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared is built to roam
The Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared
The Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared
The Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared
The G500 4x4 Squared rides on 22-in wheels
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The side-mounted exhaust pipes deliver a satisfying grumble and help increase departure angle
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
One of the key ingredients of the G500 4x4 Squared is its set of portal axles
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The G500 4x4 Squared concept made its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The G500 4x4 Squared show car
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The G500 4x4 Squared at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The G500 4x4 Squared at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
The portal axles lift the G500 body, increasing ground clearance and fording capability
C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com
View gallery - 30 images

When Mercedes introduced the bold, imposing G500 4x4 Squared at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, it said it would consider production based upon the reaction it received. Well, the reaction was good, and Mercedes is pressing ahead with production. The company announced last week that the jacked-up G-Class will join the ranks of the other 2016 G-Class members at Mercedes dealerships ... priced at well over double the standard G500.

With the help of a few other off-roaders, the G500 4x4 Squared dirtied up the otherwise sparkling clean halls of the Geneva Motor Show, adding some serious 4WD (and 6WD) beef. Thanks to its portal-axle propped ride height, the G500 made a bigger first impression than virtually any other vehicle at the show.

Now, the G500 4x4 Squared will bring that indelible first impression to a forest road or 4x4 track near you, though we don't expect the G500 on 'roids to become quite as ubiquitous as the average Wrangler or Defender. Mercedes is putting the 4x4 into series production, and German customers can place their orders now. "Extreme-G" buyers will have to be willing to cough up some dough; the G500 Squared starts at €226,100 (approx. US$254,500), which is more than double the price of the standard €105K G500.

The new G500 model can ford waters more than 3 ft deep

The G500 4x4 Squared owes its towering presence to the genes it gets from the even more extreme G63 AMG 6x6, which was newly tuned by Mansory just a few weeks ago. The six-wheeler passed down its portal axles, which raise the body of the G500 up, giving it 1.5 ft (450 mm) of ground clearance and a fording depth that damn near clears 3.3 ft (1,000 mm).

The G500 4x4 comes equipped with permanent all-wheel drive, an off-road reduction and three differential locks. Power comes from Mercedes' new 416-hp 4.0-liter V8 biturbo first revealed on the G500 4x4 Geneva show car and also added to the new standard-spec G500. That engine has 450 lb.ft (610 Nm).

We can't imagine any G500 4x4 Squared driver spending much more time on the street than it takes to travel between trailheads, but Mercedes promises they'll be pleasantly surprised by the utility vehicle's pleasant road manners. The specially designed G-Class includes an upgraded dual spring/damper strut suspension system with adjustable damping, giving it nimble cornering through the twists and surefooted stability over slick and uneven terrain. We'll dismiss Mercedes' suggestion that a driver sitting up near the sky atop the portal axle-secured 22s might actually mistake the G500 for a sports car, but the vehicle should manage some Mercedes-level comfort and agility while traveling anywhere one's heart desires.

Mercedes hasn't listed all of the production G500 4x4 Squared's hard specs, but the "near series" G500 4x4 concept had approach and departure angles of 52 and 54 degrees, respectively, with a breakover of 47 degrees. The 9.35-ft (2,850-mm) wheelbase was identical to the mini-by-comparison standard long-wheelbase G500, but the tracks were spread by 11.8 in (299 mm) to 5.82 ft (1,774 mm).

The G500 has three locking differentials and an off-road reduction

Mercedes' production announcement does not include any mention of the 18-in beadlock wheel/35-in mud terrain tire combination that it detailed when introducing the concept car. We can't imagine that the potential buyers that convinced Mercedes to build the model will let the firm off the hook on that option, though.

The 2016 G-Class lineup will start hitting German dealerships in September, and the G500 4x4 Squared will join the pack in December. Mercedes does not mention if or when the model might be availabile in other markets, but it sure would look nice venturing through places like Moab and the Outback.

Source: Daimler

View gallery - 30 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
3 comments
Rann Xeroxx
I'm sure its nice (for the price they will be asking) but really it looks like a Jeep.
Τριαντάφυλλος Καραγιάννης
it's quite the irony that owners of €13000 Lada Nivas will be enjoying a probably much better off-road performance from their vehicles. Sure, they will not be enjoying all the bells and whistles of a 200K+ Merc, but ... really, what the hell...
TeiaGolden
Mastodon Motor Company builds out the older Vintage G-wagon's to drive like newer G-wagon's. They are pretty awesome. Check them out at www.mastodonmotorcompany.com
They also make expedition rigs out of them with roof top tents, water tanks, and kitchens. SO cool.