The incredible hulk: The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class is for tough handlers

Even though he’s synonymous with the American armed forces’ vehicle, the Humvee, it’s hard not to associate former body-building champion, the cigar-chomping action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Mercedes-Benz’s new G-Class SUV. There’s ample reason for that.

The G-Wagon (short for Geländewagen, “cross country vehicle”) has a dominating, monstrous stance, especially the one available in the frosty black body colour. Its strong, square lines exude military-spec design and sturdiness. And then, of course, is the fact that the 

G-Class has been built at the new Daimler factory in Graz, Austria — the birth place of the former governor of California and the star of the Terminator series.

The new-generation G-Class is built on a spanking new ladder-on-frame chassis and a modern independent front suspension to keep the overall weight low. So, step up — yes, you have to step up on to the sideboard to get into the G-Wagon, which stands a good six feet, six inches high. Inside, the snug, leather-wrapped seats are classic Mercedes, and the interiors come together in a smart, well-equipped fusion of chrome and leather. Strap into the seat and there’s the distinct feeling that this vehicle is primed for battle in a city under siege.

Of course, smoke diffusers and side-panel machine guns are not features that Daimler throws in or even offers with the G-Wagon, but what it does present is a vehicle with an incredible off-roading ability. Daimler claims this allows it to operate at an angle of 35 degrees, climb slopes at gradients of 45 degrees and wade through watery zones at a fording depth of 700 mm — that’s almost two-and-a-half feet. What this means is that the G-Wagon can literally pull through babbling brooks and shallow streams with no fear of water entering the cabin.

While I was unable to test these claims in the city, what was evident is that the off-roader retains its ability to both intimidate and impress, given the way heads turned to catch a glimpse of it.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class.Photos: Kamlesh Pednekar

Start up the G-Class and it purrs to life with trademark Merc smoothness and power delivery that gets the 2.5-tonne vehicle up and running effortlessly. Drivers will, however, have to be cautious about the turning radius when it comes to smaller lanes, but not overly so. The vehicle is no doubt imposing in size, but it can still be comfortably used around town.

That said, the G-Wagon, which is powered by a reasonably smooth 3-litre diesel engine, is no nimble convertible that you can fling around curves and bends with the deftness that some SUVs are endowed with. 

Mercedes-Benz G-Class.Photos: Kamlesh Pednekar

In fact, there are moments when its sheer bulk and size in traffic can be performance-limiting, which is when it’s important to heed that this is essentially a permanent four-wheel drive car built for off-roading — much like the JLR Range Rover and the Toyota Land Cruiser, the differentiator being its engineering and luxury heritage, along with a spartan Jeep-like aesthetic that’s been evolving since the first G-Wagon was made in 1979.

Truth be told, when the new G-Wagon’s rear doors open, you don’t know whether to expect a glamorous star in red stilettos or a pistol-wielding hitman in a pinstripe suit to step out.

The G-Wagen is up for a dash of speed too, if required, and can race up to 100 km in around seven seconds, which, for a car this large, is impressive. As is the ability to manoeuvre through tight traffic and jam-packed lanes, thanks to the electromechanical power steering that’s hooked up to the double wishbone suspension in the front and a rigid axle setup in the back.

While the front seats convey a sense of prepping the occupants for world domination, mountain climbing or random displays of power, the back seat is entirely laidback, swaddled in leather and created for comfort.

If there is anything to complain about, it is the exorbitant price, which at close to Rs 1.8 crore on-road is high since the G-Class has been brought in as a completely built unit, or CBU. This means, taxes make up a good amount of what you are paying.

The bottom line: many imported off-roaders amble up mountains and come loaded with high-tech features and luxury knitting. But the Mercedes-Benz SUV is in a class of its own.