November 21, 2001

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Preview:
Mercedes-Benz G500
by Greg Wilson

Lexus has one. Lincoln has one. Cadillac has one. Land Rover has one. But until now, Mercedes-Benz didn't have a top-of-the-line luxury SUV to sell in North America. That all changes this month when Mercedes-Benz begins importing the new G500 from Europe. Known as the Gelaendewagen there, the G500 is a rugged but luxuriously-equipped Mercedes-Benz 4X4 that will take on the likes of the Range Rover 4.6 HSE, Lexus LX470, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Hummer H1 and H2. Only 150 of these limited production G-Class models will be sold in Canada at a price of $106,900.

Built at a special manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria, the G-Class was originally based on a military vehicle. About 10 cm longer than the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the G500 is not quite as big as its competitors, but it does offer formidable off-road ability and durability with all the luxury features of an S-Class luxury sedan. Mercedes-Benz claims the G500 can climb grades up to 36 degrees, and traverse lateral slopes up to 24 degrees.

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The G500 is powered by the same 5.0 litre V8 engine as the S-Class sedan and SL roadster. This all-aluminium, 292 horsepower engine uses Mercedes' familiar twin-spark/three-valve-per-cylinder arrangement that produces high horsepower and low emissions. Power gets to the ground via a five-speed adaptive automatic transmission with Touch Shift manual shifting mode and a full-time four-wheel-drive system which includes a transfer case with electronically controlled high and low ranges. Unlike most 4X4 vehicles, the G500's fully synchronized low range can be engaged on the fly at speeds up to about 25 km per hour.

The G500 is the only SUV with three differential locks, front, centre and rear differentials. To reduce wheelspin in extremely low-traction situations, the centre and rear differential locks can be engaged anytime that the G-Class is off-pavement. In the event the vehicle gets stuck, the front differential can be engaged momentarily for maximum traction.

The G-Class also comes with four-wheel electronic traction control that will help less experienced drivers through most conditions. Traction control is integrated with Mercedes' Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which detects an impending spin or slide and applies the brakes on one wheel - front or rear, left or right - to keep the car on track. G500's come with standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and beefy 265/60R-18 inch tires on 7.5 in. x 18 in. alloy wheels.

While the G500's drivetrain is contemporary, its suspension is very traditional: it consists of solid axles at the front and rear as well as longitudinal and transverse links with coil springs and gas shocks at all four corners. This suspension, similar to the one in the current Range Rover, has the advantage of durability and off-road ability, but doesn't offer the ride comfort and steering accuracy of an independent front suspension. In addition, the G500 uses a traditional power-assisted recirculating-ball steering system rather than a rack-and-pinion system.

From the cockpit, G500 buyers experience a 'full load' of luxury features beginning with a leather interior with burl walnut trim and a combination wood-leather steering wheel. The G500 comes with power windows, 10-way electrically adjustable front seats with memory, front and rear heated seats, cruise control, central door locks, and automatic climate control. A standard GPS navigation system features a large display screen on the centre console which also controls a nine-speaker audio system (including a six-disc CD changer) and an optional integrated Motorola Timeport phone that can be operated hands-free through the in-dash display. The phone comes with an electronic voice recognition feature that allows both the phone and the audio system to be controlled by voice commands. Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid system, which provides route directions and emergency services at the touch of a button through a special cellular connection, is also standard.

Standard safety features include two-stage front airbags for driver and passenger that deploy in two levels, depending on the severity of impact; standard anti-lock brakes and Brake Assist which automatically ensures full-power braking in panic stops; Electronic Brake Force Distribution to ensure stability when braking in curves; and ESP and traction control.

G-Class buyers, according to Mercedes-Benz Canada, are expected to be "people who can afford to buy a vehicle just for recreation but require that it be practical as well." With only 150 G500's available this year, it will not only be the most prestigious Mercedes-Benz SUV you can buy, but the most exclusive.

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Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver