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And it doesn't even come with a spare. Even the Maybach G650 does. Maybe that's one of the differences between a US$500k vehicle and a less expensive US$225k vehicle?
Possibly so, but the front approach angle has not been compromised.
If I had that truck, that rear abomination would be the first thing to go.
It's got to be something to do with crash / safety regulations. I just can't fathom that Mercedes would have added it for any other reason. It doesn't make the vehicle look better and obviously doesn't make it more capable.
The requirements for minimum front and rear bumper heights are different, at least in some states. A quick search seems to indicate that when the requirements are different, the rear bumper has to be lower. Within some limits, allowing a higher minimum for the front bumper is probably safer than it is for the rear as you don't want a car with a low front bumper going under a car with a high rear bumper. The opposite (high front bumper and low rear bumper) is probably a bit safer.
I certainly wouldn't want to create an unsafe situation, but I agree in that I would seriously consider removing that "thing" if I owned one.
It's got to be something to do with crash / safety regulations. I just can't fathom that Mercedes would have added it for any other reason. It doesn't make the vehicle look better and obviously doesn't make it more capable.
It's under ride protection for US and Canada (see attached); and it actually makes it less capable.
Of additional interest is that the axles are mentioned nowhere in the Vehicle Data Card, and the EPC shows no axle parts of any kind.
No kidding. I would hope that virtually anyone who looks at it would be able to figure that out... Given that I mentioned it destroys the departure angle, I presumably didn't need to be educated on that.
And if you seem to actually know why they did it why are you asking why they did it???
Another issue in actually using these off the beaten path is the lack of a spare tire or provisions for mounting one.
I doubt Mercedes expects (m)any of these to actually get driven on anything other than paved surfaces. Though it would be nice to see at least a few get treated with minor mods (remove that rear bumper thing and add a spare tire) and actually put to use.
And if you seem to actually know why they did it why are you asking why they did it???
The answer is actually quite simple. Even though I've owned and driven a Gwagen continuously since 1984, I did not know the answer when I first posted the question here.
After posting the same question on another forum, I received the answer; and posted it here to follow up.
Let's see some US versions with the front carbon fiber visor lights working and the rear bumper bar removed and replaced with something a little nicer looking.
02-28-2017, 04:29 PM
if I owned one.
