DUTCH

German news magazines are reporting that G production has been extended to 2010 due to high demand.

vraa

Not just high demand, it's more so the opposite.

More like 'cult following'

That's the reason why the bigger ML won't be called the G-Class.

DUTCH

I should have said High Demand and High Profit for MB. Word is that they make more profit per vehicle on the G than they do any other vehicle they build.

I guess it's good to be a cult symbol.

Ted Baldwin

.......interesting. So what happens to the so called Grand Editions that are yet to be delivered but are so called because they were to represent the very last of the G-class in production? Do they now withdraw the names. Does this also mean that the G will be getting the 510HP 6.3L NA AMG engine? How will this perform compared to the current 2005 G55 who's performance is incredible?

Ted

vraa

No, the G is pretty much dead in North America if I'm right.
The only reason why they didn't rename any of the newer models the G-Series is because they didn't want to create confusion.

For those cult members in other lands, they'll still be able to get the G-Series.

DUTCH

Of interest is the fact that 300 extra and unplanned for G55K's were just ordered from AMG - predominanty due to demand in North America. (Maybe not quite as dead as the poster thinks; or maybe there are just more cultists around than he's aware of.)

The G, as it is currently embodied, will still be sold in North America - even to non cult members.

mb230s

Proud member of the G cult and I'll buy another in 2010!

v8plus4

Has anyone been able to actually CONFIRM these rumours? I had heard that the plant in Austria will cease production, thereby ending production of Gs for the US market, while the plant in Thessalonika, Greece will continue production of rest-of-the-world and military-spec units. I guess we'll know for certain within a few weeks, as MBUSA should have all of their 2006 models released by this fall. As of today, the dealers and reps all say no more US Gs after 2005.

MB Fanatic

I dont think that Mercedes will continue to build this vehicle till 2010. It would be a bad business decision since peoples taste will change for the car since it will be in the same skin for so damn long with no major upgrades planned for the future if this rumor is true.

If anything it will be replaced in 2006 or 2007.

DUTCH

People probably said the same thing in 1989 (10 yrs of the same design), 1994 (15 ys), 1999 (20 yrs), 2004 (25 yrs), etc.

I would imagine that we shall see what we shall see.

vraa

300 to finish it off. I think MB USA will stop importing them and Europa will take over again.

DUTCH

Possible, but doubtful. Europa is now a Saab and Lincoln Mercury dealer, although they continue to sell G parts and the occasional used G. Dave Holland, the original principle, is no longer involved.

jimmyg

What's interesting is that AMG has announced that as of October 2005, they will accept orders for right-hand drive G55 Kompressors for a price of Euro 125,000. If production was ending in December as has been suggested, I don't think there is any way that they would be doing this.

vraa

Oh! I wasn't aware of that.

This is all new news to me!

v8plus4

Perhaps only production of US-spec models is ending...

mb230s

The success of the G in the USA is one of the reasons for the extension. They will sell it here. Expect a G500, an AMG G (G55K or G63 w/ new AMG V8), and a turbo diesel G. Probably only LWB, no SWB or Cabro.

v8plus4

I hope you're right. A G400 CDI would be sweet.

vraa

It sure would! I hope it has the oomph to keep up with the X5 4.8is as well. That's be a real treat!!

Saprissa

put me down for a 2010 G-Wagen !

jangy

Any update on the future of the G?

I would consider one to replace the nearly defunkt ML.

ClayJ

I've been expecting to hear something in the next month or so....

jangy

Assuming they stay the same, what about picking up a used one? Does anyone know what recent year to look for as not to loose out on options? Does an '05 have similar options as an '03? That type of question.

ClayJ

You want an '05 -- they changed the suspension to be more comfortable on the road; big difference, and desirable. Other than that I don't believe that there is much difference between, say, a 2003 and a 2005.

The Grand Editions came out from the last half of the 2005 year, but they weren't anything special, really: badging and a new color is about it for them. You will often see those badged and advertised as 2006's.

Problem is that you're not going to find too many 2005 G55's out there I would think - unless the brilliant silver or a black is your color preference....

The new ones are promised to have substantial improvements - but who knows when they will actually be available...I figure this Summer at the earliest -- and maybe not until even later than that....

jangy

Nice reply ClayJ. Right on with what i wanted to know. Do you know if the '05 and newer is still as offroad capable as the previous? Mostly, still solid axles front and rear? Do you know what suspension differences for smoother ride was done? I am starting to lean towards a G over the "new" GL, but we will see. You are right about the color. All I see are black or silver. I do wish I could get another color. I can be patient and wait until summer's end, but that is about all I can handle. Do you know when we will know if waiting on an '07 is worth it? I don't care about cosmetics, but I would be willing to wait on features.
Thanks again...i will hit the MBUSA site for more.

ClayJ

No changes to off-roading. No changes to mechanicals. Still the Pirelli Scorpions for OEM rubber - and they are competant tires.

Changes to suspension were shock-valving, I believe -- but they could have done something with the springs too, for all I know. Result is more comfortable road-ride, with no loss in on-road or off-road performance....

People who are serious about off-roading go with the G500 - mostly for ground clearance and more suitable off-roading tires and wheels -- but the G55 will still get you anywhere that you should reasonably be going in a $100K vehicle.... The solid axles, locking diffs, and low gearing do the trick; but countering these in serious off-roading are the touchier throttle and the low-pro rubber....

The 2007 is supposed to have new electronics throughout - which would include bi-xenons and dvd (vs cd) nav.... Other than that the only change that I am sure of is a new interior - and I do assume that it will be much nicer, whatever that means. Will the changes amount to substantial enough? Don't know. As compared to being able to get it in exactly the colors you want? Now the differences may be enough for you to wait awhile longer.... I do not think that there will be substantial mechanical or powertrain changes. I can't think of any missing options other than the two I just mentioned that might make it onto the 2007 -- but of course I don't know what the 2007 is going to be exactly....