AUTO SPIES EXCLUSIVE: Best pics yet of the upcoming next generation Mercedes G-class

We’ve caught the best pictures yet of the all new Mercedes G-Class! Codenamed X164, the G-Class will share a new unibody structure with the just-introduced M-Class and upcoming R-Class, and will be built in Alabama.

As predicted by the Spies, the next G will be a much larger truck, 2.5 inches shorter than the current Chevy Suburban.

Power for the new G-Class is expected to come from a variety of powerplants, including a 4.6-liter V8 with 326-horsepower, and an optional 408-hp 5.5-liter V8. Two diesels will be offered – a V6 and V8, and the AMG version is expected to have nearly 460-horsepower when it arrives.

For the more serious off-roaders – an optional off-road package will be available.

It has an interesting shape...could this also be the platform for the rumored Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

Also of note...the headlight housings look very similar to the re-freshed Cayenne headlights...

Special thanks to Brenda Priddy.

Dustbuster - 2/18/2005 3:28:27 AM

+1 Boost

Is there any hope that this is NOT the G-class, but rather a bigger ML like the A-class versus the new B-class? Sounds like none of the readers like the idea of a "normal" SUV replacing the G and I hope that the people at Mercedes realize this!

vwmbfan - 2/18/2005 11:32:49 AM

+1 Boost

This is the next G-Class, and it will be built in Alamaba on a shared platform with the M-Class. There are two reasons the G-Class is changing so dramatically. First, they don't sell in the current form here in the US. Some people like the look of the outgoing model, but having sold them (or giving them away because very few liked them) most people DON'T like the way it looks. Second, they are very expensive to build and bring over here and are not great road machines. The bounce all over and do not cater to the American driver that likes to cruise at 80mph on the highway.

zombie8 - 2/18/2005 2:10:49 PM

+1 Boost

The boxiness is what was so great about this truck - it looked like a truck. Check out the Range Rover, the new Toyota FJ and the new Jeep-based Dodge truck. People like trucks that look like trucks. Otherwise, they'd buy a minivan.

mchferrari - 2/19/2005 12:14:04 AM

+1 Boost

At least the old one was unique, like it or not. This is just another big ugly ass-U-V.

xryder - 2/19/2005 1:02:32 AM

+1 Boost

If this car was a flower, it would be a pansy. If it were a dessert, it would be a fruitcake. You all have to realize that the current G-class design dates back to the very early 80s and was re-marketed in the US in the late 90s after it became the cool thing to drive up to the country club in a 1984 'Gladenwagen' (as they were called back in the day).

It is inevitable that Mercedes came up with this G-class design... it fits their current line-up... you know -- the flattened curvy look. Dont expect Mercedes to put out anything boxy for the next 6-7 year minimally. If there is anyone to fire, it is the Chrysler designers masquerading as real German craftspeople.

My solution: beg Chris Bangle to defect from BMW to MB and him evrything he is worth.

MercBasher - 2/19/2005 2:45:54 AM

+1 Boost

Guess the target market is soccer moms, not intrepid off-road explorers.

It will sell, but it will age very quickly, and sales will peak after only a year.

M-B Basher