Mercedes-Benz G-Class Takes on the Iron Schöckl

Everyone knows the G-Class is without question the most rugged model in the Mercedes lineup, but in reality, few customers get the chance to push the G-Class to its limits. For Mercedes engineers, however, its their job to ensure the G-Class continues its legacy of being able to conquer any terrain, so it would only make sense they’d come up with as many ways as possible to challenge the off-roader.

Enter “The Iron Schöckl”. Named after the Schöckl, a mountain near the Graz plant in Austria where the Mercedes G-Class is tested year round, the man-made Iron Schöckl challenges the Mercedes G-Class by forcing it to undertake a 100% climb (i.e., a 45 degree incline). Then, at the top, the G-Class enters a movable platform, teeters to point downward, and undertakes a 45 degree descent.
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pomygas - 5/29/2012 5:32:16 PM

+1 Boost

Not sure if this is all that of a great feat.

Lets see, driving on steel mesh like platform with lots of grip and locked axles just to make sure.

I would have to see it compared to other car manufacturers.

Didn't Lexus do this in a commercial a couple of years ago with the GX/Prado, which has no lockers?

I would like to see subaru do the same with the Outback and totally blow those snobs out of the water- or off the mountain..:)

knowitall1985 - 5/29/2012 6:02:00 PM

0 Boost

GX460 would smoke it.....

Wimmer - 5/29/2012 10:03:48 PM

0 Boost

And you know this because...?

TehShibbs - 5/30/2012 1:51:59 PM

0 Boost

Because he is smoking. Lexus had to buy Thorsen technology from Audi to make the GX460 as good as it is.

knowitall1985 - 5/31/2012 11:23:32 AM

+1 Boost

At shebbs:Torsen (full name Torsen traction) is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman[1] and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing. TORSEN and TORSEN Traction are registered trademarks of JTEKT Torsen North America Inc (formerly Zexel Corporation, formerly Gleason Power Systems). All Torsen differentials have their origin in the Dual-Drive Differential that was invented and patented by Gleasman in 1958.

You really know your S*IT. What did you do read a car magazine...LOL!! Learn how to SPELL it's torsen, bird brain....LOL!!

wins555 - 5/30/2012 12:45:38 AM

+1 Boost

All of these 4x4 can do this maneuver. Let all of these (Landcruisers, Land Rovers, G Wagens, and whoever else) compete in the Rainforest challenge in the jungles of Malaysia and lets see which survives.

knowitall1985 - 5/31/2012 11:19:05 AM

+1 Boost

The GX470 won 4X4 2 yrs in a row.....

Fijian - 5/30/2012 9:59:14 PM

+2 Boost

Any Jeep will kick its butt all day long.You need real world driving over boulders etc.Any Suburban can do this and then some due to its Long and wider wheel base and low center of gravity.

pomygas - 5/31/2012 8:55:19 AM

+2 Boost

Seems like this article is getting some good attention

Another comment on the G. It is nice and all and if I had lots of spare cash and wanted the prestige of riding in a REALLY KOOL truck, I would find a reason to get one.
Capable off road, yes, luxurious, absolutly, but I gotta tell you, I don't know, mabey I am wrong, but these things are not tooling around Africa, Austrailia, and used in the Stans as a reliable vehicle for a reason. If they were that good, those people would find a way to get them.

To the article, I just think that Mercedes demonstrating this vehicles capabilities like you are going to drive across Afghanistan is nonsense and it is kind of like having a Rotwiler dog- a status symbol.

They are intended for the ones with the money and means to support, take care and maintain this vehicle. There is a video out on you tube, where a group takes a couple of G's across Austrailia. The vehicles broke down terribly, I mean if the crew did not have a support team and choppered in shocks and other parts, the poor guys would have been stranded and in dire shape.

Now if the 00's could get there hands on the ramp and do a test to see how the vehicles compare when doing it............