DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Inside the new Mercedes G-Class

It might have been gazumped by leaked images, but Mercedes-Benz has now offered the first official details and the first look at the all-new interior of its revamped G-Class, revealing luxury finishes that warrant the hard-core off-road SUV’s A-lister price tag.

While the legendary G-Wagen started life as a tough military machine, Mercedes-Benz and AMG have evolved it into an incredibly profitable premium off-roader, treading a delicate line between icon and workhorse.

An updated G-Class will arrive at an ideal time for the German manufacturer which is facing increased competition in the luxury SUV segment.

While the German brand will have its own GLS-based Maybach, two Bentleys (the Bentayga and the even larger upcoming Falcon), the Lamborghini Urus and BMW’s X7 and rumoured X8, along with a long-wheelbase version at the top end of the Range Rover family, are all after the lucrative high-roller market.

Inside story
While it’s expected to be business-as-usual on the outside, it’s the interior of the G-Class which is set to wow with the biggest change in the vehicle’s history, elevating the cabin to first-class status.

Previewed to automotive media last month and due to appear at the Detroit motor show next month, the 2018 G-Class delivers a far cleaner, softer, more luxurious interior than its predecessor.

Upholstery is plush with personalisation options available to allow its exclusive clientele the ability to tailor a vehicle to their own specification.

The cabin will take styling cues from elements of the G-Wagen’s iconic design. The large grab handle remains for the front seat passenger while the the new retro-looking round air-vents reflect the design of the off-roader’s distinctive headlights, and its indicators are echoed in the shape of the speakers.

The interior has been revised to appeal more broadly to buyers who are used to greater creature comforts in their car.

A 150mm boost in wheelbase helps it to a 38mm improvement in front legroom, a 38mm lift in should room (up 27mm in the rear) and a 68mm boost in elbow room (and 56mm in the rear).

The driver’s hip point rises by 10mm and front occupants benefit from a 40mm stretch to 1500mm between the hip point and front axle.

Flexibility abounds with an increase of 150mm in rear legroom, while the rear seat backrest has 60:40 split/fold function and three different rake angles to maximize comfort and cargo space.

Luggage capacity is said to rise but specific dimensions are yet to be revealed, although cabin storage is improved. The glovebox grows to 5.2 litres, while there is space for one-litre bottles in the front door pockets and 6.2 litres of capacity in the centre console.

Outside story
For almost 40 years, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has worn the same striking boxy exterior lines, and while its new outward look is yet to be official unveiled, spy images indicate that the exterior will keep its squared-off appearance, short overhangs and a big ramp-over angle.

Mercedes-Benz is keen to retain its loyal customer base, promising buyers a vehicle that is not a dramatic departure in exterior design yet delivers in premium finishes and attention to detail.

Carryover details include a rear-mounted spare wheel carrier and the same chunky door handle that Merc buyers love, while engineers have sought to keep the reassuring thud of the door closure.

The dynamic roof load (while driving) will be 150kg, but the static roof load (for camping) will be double that at 300kg.

This is in part thanks to thicker B-pillars that were also needed to prevent pole intrusion in side impact crash tests, although relatively slim A-pillars are retained.

Underneath
The 2018 G-Class will be all-new underneath, with an independent front suspension for the first time, and Mercedes insiders insist it will have even greater wheel travel than the current car.

While rumours abounded that Benz would shift its toughest passenger machine onto an SUV-style monocoque chassis, the new G-Class will retain a ladder frame to keep its class-leading off-road ability.

Purists will also be heartened to hear that the G-Wagen is likely to remain a hard-core mountain masher, with Mercedes-Benz insisting it will retain its three mechanical diff locks.

But it will ditch the old car’s biggest throwback – the recirculating-ball steering system – and feature an electric power steering system.

It will have its weight slashed by more than 160kg to keep it socially acceptable, though a 20mm stretch in width means it won’t see much of an improvement in the current car’s brick-like 0.54 coefficient of drag.

Technology
While the underpinnings are true to the bush-basher’s origins, the technology is truly 21st Century. The G-Class adopts much of the S- and E-Class interior electronics, including the 12.3-inch flat-screen infotainment systems.

As an option, there’s even the fully digital instrument cluster on which drivers are able to choose between three different display styles and also configure relevant information and views according to their individual needs.

There will be traditional tubular gauges for the diehards too, as part of the G-Class’s entry-level package.

The steering wheel has been updated to house both cruise control and track pads for the instrument cluster.

Standard features include convenience functions such as a driver’s seat memory function, front and rear seat heating and plush head restraints in the front.

An active multicontour seat package adds massage functions, climatised seats and fast seat heating. The seat cushions and backrests of the optional seats include integrated adjustable air chambers, offering improved support for driver and front passenger during cornering or off-road manoeuvres.

There will be three trim levels, ranging from SR1 and SR2 up to the AMG line with hand-stitched seats and steering wheel, plus clips on the back of the front seats for entertainment tablets, and a large glass sunroof.

Under the bonnet
The G-Class is expected to be powered by fleet of Benz’s new engines ranging from a 2.9-litre in-line six-cylinder to a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, both with more performance and efficiency.

So far there’s no news of four- or six-cylinder turbo-diesel power, but at least the former should be a certainty for entry-level models.

The all-new G-Class will make its world debut in Detroit in V8-powered G 500 five-door
wagon form with cylinder deactivation, and insiders insist its weight will be cut down to 2435kg.

The current G 500 weighs a water bottle under 2600kg, and the new model will keep the outgoing G-Wagen’s 3500kg towing capacity.

All versions will run full-time mechanical four-wheel drive systems, driven through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

True to its roots
Despite the luxury tilt, the wider, more aluminium-rich architecture, air suspension, adaptive damping and S-Class electronic architecture will still make the new G-Class a military-grade off-roader, says Benz.

However, while continued supplies of a basic Australian Army-spec model are assured, there are no initial plans for a replacement for the existing, stripped-out Professional version.

That said, there are hints of an entry-level version in the medium-term, and even a G-Class ute – eventually.

“It’s not the military version anymore,” a Mercedes-Benz insider claimed.

“It’s not like the Professional car today. There are thoughts to do so, to go more basic. It’s there in terms of the architecture.

“There is also the possibility to do a pick-up version. Not for the first generation, though.”