Mercedes-Benz’s flagship SUV, the G-class has achieved the milestone of 4 lakh units of production. A long time customer of Rhineland in Germany who already owns 20 models of the G-Class is lucky enough to be the owner the 4,00,000th G-class SUV which is the G 400d in the red shade.
The G-Class was first launched in 1979 and after 41 years, it has produced the 4,00,000th unit. The idea of G-Class started in 1972 with the collaboration of Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Graz, Austria. The Mercedes-Benz team in Stuttgart looked into the design and testing whereas the team in Graz was responsible for the production plans of the SUV.
Mercedes-Benz is offering two variants of the G-Class in India. First, we will talk about the AMG line, G 63 AMG which is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 motor which makes about 585 HP of power and 850 Nm of torque. The two-tonne SUV can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited till 220 kmph. The G 63 AMG costs close to INR 2.31 Crores (ex-showroom Delhi).
The second variant of the G-Class on sale in India is the regular G 350d 4Matic. This SUV is powered with a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel motor producing 286 Hp of power and 600 Nm of torque. As evident, this engine is under powered as compared to the 585 Hp motor in the AMG trim and thus the 0-100 kmph timing comes close to 8.5 seconds. Given the lower engine specs and equipment the 350d costs INR 1.55 Crores (ex-showroom Delhi) which is 77 lakhs lesser than its counterpart the G 63 AMG.
The European spec G-class was recently updated earlier this year and now comes with more colours and standard features. Mercedes has also announced that an all-electric G-Class can be a reality in the near future. The main rivals of the G-class in the luxury SUV segment in India include Land Rover Range Rover, Audi Q8, BMW X7, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne, Maserati Levante and more.
Mercedes-Benz G 400 d; brilliant blau; Leder Nappa
Mercedes-Benz G 400 d; brilliant blau; Leder Nappa