A lightly facelifted version of the Mercedes G-class has been prematurely revealed. The 33-year-old G-class will receive its planned public premiere at next month’s Beijing motor show.
The reworked version of the German car maker’s iconic SUV, scheduled for a June launch, can be seen here pictured in the background of an official photograph of the facelifted Mercedes GLK posted on the carmaker's media website.
Among the subtle changes made to the G-class’s classic square rigged exterior is restyled grille, new headlamp inserts featuring LED daytime running lights and redesigned mirror housings.
Not seen in this picture but also evident in recent scoop pictures of G-class prototypes testing on public roads are altered tail lamps graphics and a new line of alloy wheels.
The G55 AMG’s 12-year-old 500bhp supercharged 5.4-litre V8 will makes way for a 536bhp version of AMG’s contemporary twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 in a new G63 AMG.
The big news surrounds the addition of a rapid new G65 AMG. It features the same twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 recently confirmed for the SL65 AMG. With 621bhp and a sturdy 737lb ft of torque, it is claimed to propel the 2500kg plus G65 AMG from 0-62mph in just 5.2sec on the way to a limited 155mph top speed. The G65 AMG will be the first G-class model to receive V12 power.
The new AMG models will receive different front end styling to the standard G-class model pictured here, with a deeper front bumper housing large air ducts for more efficient engine cooling. Other performance tweaks including larger brakes brought over from the recently introduced ML63 AMG. It is unclear whether the AMG models feature the extravagant side-exit exhaust pipes used on the G55 AMG.
In a move that promises substantial fuel savings, all new G-class models will be equipped with Mercedes’ seven-speed 7G-tronic gearbox in place of the five-speed 5G-Tronic unit. The G63 AMG will offer a stop/start function and brake energy recuperation.
The G-class continues to carry the internal codename W463 and will be produced at Magna Steyr in Austria. It will carry a revised instrument pack sourced from the third-generation M-class together. A 4.5 inch colour monitor and the latest Command system incorporating internet based functions will be featured.
The revised G-class will continue to be offered with the choice of two different wheelbases: 2400mm in standard guise and 2850mm in long-wheelbase form.
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Re: Mercedes G-class to get V12 power
This G-Class is completely inappropriate and ridiculous, and surely has no place in the 21st century. Which is possibly why I really want one, more than any other SUV ever.
(except possibly the Lamborghini LM002 and Hummer H1, which would also be a laugh)
Re: Mercedes G-class to get V12 power
Well said. I have been saying this for donkeys. Toyota have rehashed the 70 series Landcruiser (not sold in UK) since the 80's (which is not far removed from the 40 series dating way back to the 60's) with modern technology, a Turbocharged V8 diesel and F & R Diff locks and the 3rd world loves em' (Hello Landrover are you listening?????). Rumour has it Nissan are about to do it with the current utilitarian yet iconic GU Patrol (The UN's favourite) with modern Diesels cloked in the old school sheetwork as they have introduced the brand new Y62 5.6 V8 Patrol for premium markets.
The BEST thing about a Defender (and I have one) is the way it looks. The worst thing is the powertrains which are weedy in comparison to the Japanese offerings. But LR all high on RR Sports an Evoques will miss this golden opportunity. You have a gem in the iconic Defender.......evolution is better than revolution in many cases.....just ask Porsche
Re: Mercedes G-class to get V12 power
Clearly this engine is not exactly needed in this car but I can't see why it should be so wrong in "this day and age". I care about environment but a G class with a V12 is the very last of thousands of very serious problems about it. Industry is not green-oriented at all, for a well "advertised" greener process there are hundreds of others that are a lot more pollutant than they could be and nobody seems willing to do something about it.