But other than the rust I love the big old beast. I've always fallen for heavy-duty trucks and SUVs. My father owned an
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| The interior of the G500 is impressive, well appointed and tight as a drum. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
old FJ40 Land Cruiser when I was a boy and I followed suit with a 1987 BJ70, a company car leant to me by Toyota during my employ many years later. The G500 is just like the old BJ70, except is larger and much, much, much more refined. Its interior is actually very impressive, as it should be for a base price of $109,400. At this price only MNC board members and NBA stars can afford it, and with the truck's vaulted headroom it's no wonder so many of the latter step up to buy one. It's tight as a drum too, filled with sound deadening material, high-grade leather and soft-touch plastics, which tend to squeak less than the more brittle variety. Yes, there were a few
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| Currently, G500 buyers can pick between two engines, the 292-hp 5.0-liter SOHC V8 or the 349-hp 5.5-liter V8 G55 AMG version. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
cheap add-ons that should have been applied with more care and attention, particularly the black plastic window surrounds on all doors that cover up what would otherwise be bare metal, but the truck's workhorse nature makes it possible to overlook the odd discrepancy. Fortunately Mercedes has not only upgraded the G's interior improved engine performance since the first 72 to 150 horsepower models came on the scene. Two engine choices are available in North America, the first being the 292 horsepower 5.0-liter SOHC V8 with 336 lb-ft of torque fitted to my test vehicle, and the second being the 349 horsepower 5.5-liter V8 G55 AMG version that boasts 387 lb-ft of torque. Speaking of boasting, for 2005 M-B will offer a new supercharged G55, sporting 476 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
