New G-Class Mercedes, the story continues

The G-Class has been around since 1979, and almost 40 years later, Mercedes has introduced another one.

The latest evolution of the G-Class was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in G500 guise, powered by a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 making 364kW and 610Nm of torque. The 3.0-litre diesel G350d and the fire-breathing V8 powered G63 will join the line-up in 2019.

The new G-Class is 53mm longer and 121mm wider than its predecessor, which translates into more interior space. The front and rear seats have increased shoulder room and the rear legroom has increased by 150mm. The new seats are more luxurious and can be heated or cooled while giving you a massage, depending on which options you tick.

Another new option is borrowed straight out of the S-Class, and that is the customisable display consisting of two 12.3” screens to replace the instrument cluster, displaying engine details and drive modes. The rotary controller and touchpad wheel also find their way into the new G-Wagen.

The modernised interior is an awe-inspiring surprise

The biggest news is the new platform that underpins the G-Class. Independent suspension means that the SUV is more comfortable on the road and more versatile off the road. The ground clearance, approach and break-over angles have all been increased as well.

The Dynamic Select system presents the driver with several driving modes, ranging from Comfort, Sport, Eco and Individual mode to adapt the way the steering, throttle and transmission behave. Adaptive damping is also on the options list, which comes with a ‘G-Mode’ that triggers when off-road dynamics are required.

Performance is only improved further, thanks to the 170kg that were lost since the predecessor. The body is also a lot stiffer, improving handling and safety.

The new G-Class is expected to go on sale in 2019.