As
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New engines, including AMG powerplants and 7-speed autos from the GL will be made available on the G. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada)
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before, the core updates to the G-Class will come in the form of updated mechanical components. Currently, the North American-bound G-Class can be had in a single guise, the G500, which features the 5.0-litre 3v/cyl V8. Previously, the truck was available as the G55 AMG, which was powered by a supercharged version of that very powerplant. While adequately powerful, these engines are far from new; over the past year, Mercedes has progressively phased them out for motors with more efficient designs. It's expected that the base G-Class will be powered by the new 5.0L four valve per cylinder V8 with 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic, as well as the new, naturally aspirated high-performance 6.3 litre V8.
While
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| Will the G-Class short wheelbase products get an update? This is a decision that's still up in the air. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
it hasn't been confirmed, it wouldn't be surprising if Mercedes also added a diesel to the G-Class's powertrain ranks. In Europe, aside from the AMG model, the G-Class is sold nearly exclusively with Benz's CDI direct injection V6 and V8 turbodiesel engines. These engines provide equivalent, if not greater levels of grunt than their gasoline counterparts, without the emissions or thirst. However, since we're talking a new generation of G, expect the North American-bound diesel to be of BlueTec ultra-low-emissions classification, after Benz announced it would be selling BlueTec diesels on this side of the Atlantic.
What else is in store for the G come model year 2007? Together with
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| Another important question is the technology that will back the G. Though its price tag is in the six-figure range, will it be as advanced as the S-Class? (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
the new engines and gearboxes, expect to see an update of the interior, but whether or not the upright and boxy look of the current car is shed, is debatable. Because the update is scheduled to carry through to model-year 2010, Mercedes-Benz might not consider a thorough overhaul financially viable. Due to this, it also is unlikely that the G-Class will get the new PRE-SAFE radar-based collision mitigation system, or its other related functions such as radar-adaptive cruise control. More detail will come closer to the car's launch.
