Because some things just can’t wait.
January 15th might have been the date that Mercedes-Benz had marked for the debut of the 2018 G-Class, but if history shows us anything, it’s that even the best plans can get unravelled. What you’re looking at here, 10-days ahead of its official unveiling, is the all-new second-generation Mercedes-Benz G-Class. And doesn’t it look correct?
We say ‘correct’ because if the new Geländawagen, more than any other car in the Merc lineup, is expected to provide more of a throwback than any of its siblings. While cars like the S-Class have melded into a pseudo-coupe profile and the ‘Super-Light Racing’ transformed into the AMG-GT, the G-Class has always been stoic, unmoving, and unperturbed in its design and appeal, which is why this is just the second proper iteration of the G nameplate in almost forty years.
Credits for the photographs must go to Autobahn and Autoweek, who published them first. The images show off a G that’s clearly evolved in its presentation, with the boxy, upright proportions remaining as they are, but are now framed by fewer sharp edges, that have given way to more gentle, rounded angles. The sides seem less flat (though that could be a visual trick), while the rear features smartly-integrated LED taillights and a rear bumper that looks far more at home (rather than the stuck-on-afterthought design of the older units).
The G-Class may have been built for the army (and it still is today), but the overhaul it’s received inside certainly puts its focus on passenger comfort into, uh, focus. The 12.3-inch widescreen drivers display/infotainment screen is seen here, though there’s an option for old-school analogue dials too, with the whole thing sitting on a tiered dash that isn’t too dissimilar to what’s set to be found inside a new-generation A-Class.
The centre console also looks rather familiar, though rather than the three air vents we’ve come to expect, there are just two, with the G-Class’ mechanical locking differential controls nestled between. There’s also an analogue clock here, nicked from the E-Class, adding a nice touch.
Things like the dash-mounted passenger-side grab handle remain as a nod to the 4-decade old original, though there are also brand-new ‘Active Multicontour’ seats up front (replete with heating, cooling, and massage functions), a sharp Burmester audio system, and there’s even the option for a moonroof.
It’s been confirmed that the 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class will be landing on our shores sometime in the middle of this year, though it’ll be available at launch solely as a AMG G63, which will pack a 4.0-litre biturbo V8, but cost you dearly. The more sensible G350 diesel will arrive later, which will likely appeal more to those who might actually be intent on taking their G-Wagen off road.
You can read about Mercedes-Benz’s long-winded reassurance of the new G’s commanding off-road ability here.
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