Mercedes G-Class targets civilians

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed it is looking to offer the new G-Wagon for private buyers after all. Originally the retro-looking workhorse looked destined only for Australian Army duties but the game plan has changed.

Mercedes won a contract to supply six-wheel versions of the G-Class to the Australian Defence Force, enabling the German firm to earn Australian compliance and making private sales a possibility.

That means the team at Mercedes-Benz Australia's Melbourne headquarters have been busily putting together a business case to get a supply for showrooms. Company spokesman David McCarthy said the firm is confident it will get the green light.

"We've put together a business case and we think we can make it work," McCarthy said.

Civilian examples of the G-Class will make do with the conventional four-wheel set-up and will most likely be available with either a 3.0-litre turbodiesel, 5.5-litre V8 petrol or a 373kW 5.5-litre supercharged V8 in the range-topping G55 AMG. Each engine is available with a seven-speed automatic gearbox that sends the power to each wheel via a permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Although prices haven't been confirmed McCarthy indicated the G350 CDI would start around the $120,000 mark and the G55 "would have a three in front of it". Given its price the G55 AMG would have to be specially ordered as Mercedes would keep very few in stock.

McCarthy said based on the company's research it is confident of selling between 100-200 examples of the car each year.

"We want it," he said. "There is a demand for it. Not a lot, but there is demand."

If Mercedes-Benz Australia gets the go ahead the G-Class is likely to go on sale towards the end of the first quarter next year when the 2010 model updates come on-stream.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi