2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class - New Engine Candy, Same Old Boxy Wrapper

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

As Mercedes-Benz rolls out its all-new 4.0-liter V8, engineers in Stuttgart have decided the bi-turbo mill will fit right at home in the aging Gelandewagen, a luxo-utility military-born vehicle that hasn’t seen a major update in 25 years.

The immediately recognizable box-on-wheels is due for a complete overhaul for 2017. In the meantime, Mercedes-Benz needs to keep their top-line SUV fresh to captivate the attention of celebrities and athletes and their conspicuous consumption. That’s not to say the updates are insignificant, however.

The new 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 in the G550 is a variation of that found in the Mercedes-AMG GT and C63. In the G-Class, the V8 is good for 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque sent to all four wheels, compared to its 5.5L V8 predecessor with 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of twist.

Other G-Class models see bumps in power as well, including the 571 hp V8 powered G63 and 612 hp V12 motivated G65 – the latter coming to the U.S. for the first time. All V8 powered models are said to improve fuel economy thanks to a new start/stop system.

One model many would love to come to North America – the diesel V6 powered G350d – will continue to be forbidden fruit for those of us in the colonies.

Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • TybeeJim TybeeJim on May 07, 2015

    Landcrusher, why the appelation if you aren't into such vehicles. Airplanes rot too as will cars, trucks without some care. I drove a '68 Volvo 245S though 10 Connecticut winters without rust while the Subaru rotted. I drove an '88 Isuzu Trooper for 6 years in PA before giving it to my son for his college car. It ran four more years without any rust, but the head gasket blew. I could go on but it doesn't appear worthwhile. I will mention that living 15 years on an island only 500 ft. from saltwater hasn't produced any rust on my 10 year old CLS 500 (an '06 purchased in May '05). My '04 Ford Ranger never had any rust when I traded it in 2014. You obviously know it all. And yes I did say "in your lifetime" assuming you're maybe 13, a conclusion reached since you apparently don't understand hyperbole.

  • Landcrusher Landcrusher on May 07, 2015

    I bought my Landcruiser when it was five years old and forty percent of sticker and loved it greatly. If you read my post again, you will realize your mistake. I don't buy 80k plus automotive equivalents of yellow bananas. I sold my crusher at nearly the fifteen year mark and no rust. Total depreciation was about a 1500/year. Aircraft don't rot nearly like cars do. The average GA plane in the fleet is over thirty years old. Mine has an aluminum skin on a steel frame and is pretty new being a '95. My first plane depreciated only 15k from new to sold at four years old. Traditionally, before 2008, aircraft would lose up to 40% value in the first four or five years and then hold their value versus inflation Now you are confusing me with your points. My point is that GL's rust too much and you are arguing with me because all your other cars haven't rusted? Also, if I were only a kid, then it would be more likely that a GL would rust in my lifetime would it not? I was perfectly willing to accept that the really rusty GLs may be a local phenomena. It wouldn't be a first (occasionally materials react to some pretty tiny traces of things the petro chemical guys let loose), but a little research showed me I wasn't collecting strange data during my GL watching. Whatever process they use isn't all that grand. Lastly, calling me a know it all or questioning my motives is not getting you anywhere with me. I've been pushing back for decades on people with real reputations and much more credible arguments than you have shown here. It's amazing how often I find out years later they have accepted my position or at least seriously altered their own. (Of course, I take a lot of at bats, so my average may not be all that great!) Telling me I am making up what I am seeing just won't fly.

  • TybeeJim TybeeJim on May 08, 2015

    My point, simply put early on, is that Gwagens (WTF is a GL?) are no more susceptible to rust that any other vehicle and you views don't disprove that. And further, I noted that the vehicle in hand assembly in Austria, includes putting 50L of wax inside the frame to further prevent rust. In that you never owned one as I have and I have had apparently considerable more car experience than you, Landcrusher, I think my opinion would carry much more weight with anyone knowledgeable about automobiles. As for aircraft, my son, a USAF Major flies in planes older than you or your aircraft, but they have been rebuilt many times over. I've tour the major aircraft rebuild facility in KC and seen first hand how much rebuild work goes on. I don't think your limited observation would sway anyone from purchasing a Gwagen if they chose to do so. Of course the USMC buying 200 or them was I suppose a stupid decision in your opinion. What do the marines know? I'm not trying to "get anywhere with you". I just dislike "trolls" posting BS.

    • Landcrusher Landcrusher on May 08, 2015

      Calling me a troll for failing to read your mind? Or are you just unable to admit mistakes? "These are military grade vehicles with luxury interiors. I owned one from 2002-05 and they won’t rust in your lifetime." You wrote this several hours after I posted that rusty GL's are a plague here. Who is the troll? And, once again, you go off on some weird tangent trying to attack my credibility. Please ask the Major the difference between GA aircraft and military ones. I doubt they rust much, but I don't really know. My applicable military experience was being the motor officer for a battery. We had nearly fifty trucks, all military grade, all with rust except for the very newest, the hummers. But hey, keep making unfounded assumptions, they haven't killed you yet.

  • Festiva Rob Festiva Rob on May 25, 2023

    Gendelwagon

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