DaimlerChrysler's rugged off-roader, the Mercedes G-Wagen, will finally get a replacement. The current G has been on the market for an incredible 25 years. At first it was used in the army and as a utility off-roader for farms and forest services.

But from the late Eighties on, the boxy shaped old-timer became all of a sudden the must-have for city slickers with the necessary money. Again and again it was updated by adding electronic and luxury features like power windows, power steering, air conditioning and even airbags. Inside, the plain ute was updated with polished wood trim and leather seats. The most expensive is the current AMG version, which sells surprisingly well these days in particular in the United States.

Now, however, DaimlerChrysler has finally planned to end the current G's career. A new replacement will be released at the next Detroit Motor Show in January 2005. And at the same time the German carmaker will launch two more 4x4 models, the new M-Class and the new R-Class. The latter Mercedes is an addition to the off-road range that will strike against rivals like Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, and BMW X5. It is not exactly an off-road car but rather a very sporty and luxurious wagon-van with four-wheel drive, nicknamed the Grand Sport Tourer.

All three cars will not only debut in Detroit in 2005, they will also be produced in the United States in the DaimlerChrysler plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and not - like the current G - by Magna-Steyr in Graz, Austria.

In order not to disappoint fans of the sturdy 4x4, the company is developing a special top-of-the-line 4x4 package for the new G model. To come up to the expectations of those potential buyers, it is expected to offer a lot more comfort and modern equipment than the current G.

Power will come from two strong diesels - a 231-hp V-6 and a 300-hp V-8 - and two new gas-powered V-8 engines, a 4.6-liter engine with 326 hp and a 5.5-liter unit with 408 hp. The AMG version is rumored to deliver 460 hp.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...8&article=7053

 

wrong, keep it boxy

 

idd,
The idea itself of making a NEW G is really really wrong... I don't get MB on this one... times were better when MB was run by mechanics/engineers, now it's those stupid accountants,...
I still don't like it, and I will never like it...
it just looks like a big M-class. I hate it.

matteus

 

2nd pic looks exactly like lexus gx imo...hard to tell anything from those pics though

 

ahhh NOOOO

just discontinue the G-Class and sell it as something else!!
X-Class maybe hehehe

don't wanna see another Hummer H2 :p

 

Horrible typical american looking peace of **** the G class is so unique the way it is now its like an italian exotic. Please MB dont ruin the G Class.

 

Just ordered the '05 G55 Kompressor,hate the "new" ML style look of the future G.

 

Good choice I love the G class feels more rare then the Range Rover and well overall its just special going to be my next car after lease expires on the Navigator. I wish they would add the DVD command in the G in 05 and maybe ventilated seats.

 

You know what I have to say?

Good. That means I can get a G55 for plenty much less then some 100,000$

But in all reality, this is a sad sad day. It better not look like a soccer-mom vehicle and it damn well should have the ultimate off roading capability offered in a stock SUV.