The new Mercedes G-Class, due in South Africa early in 2013, will go into production in September 2012 and emerge from the lines with more power, more technology and a greater range of comfort and safety gear than any previous model.
It's expected in South Africa early in 2013.
IMAGE GALLERYAmong that new equipment are diode daytime running lights and a reworked interior that, for the first time, includes COMAND Online, Parktronic (an audio and visual parking aid) and new leather upholstery over heatable front AND rear seats.
A new design of 18”, five-spoked alloy rims, power folding and heatable external mirrors, colour instrument cluster and a mighty Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system complete the changes.
HAND-BUILT BI-TURBOThe entry model (in the UK) is the G350 BlueTEC at £82 945 (R1.16-million)* whose three-litre V6 delivers 157kW (a tiny 0.75kW up on the previous unit) and has the same fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the model it replaces - a claimed 11.2 litres/100km and 295g/km.
The new G63 AMG is priced at £123 115 (R1.73-million). Its hand-built, bi-turbo, 5.5-litre V8 AMG engine delivers 405kW and 760Nm – improvements of 28kW and 60Nm over the outgoing G55 AMG. Despite these gains, the new V8 claims CO2 emissions down by 13% to 322g/km and combined fuel consumption down by 15% to 13.8 litres/100km.
Distinguishing the G63 AMG from the rest of the G-Class range is a unique AMG radiator grille with twin chromed fins running through a black mesh grille. The changes extend to a set of AMG wheel-arch extensions, an AMG sports exhaust with twin chromed tailpipes, and new 20” five twin-spoked alloy rims finished in a grey high-sheen finish.
SPECIAL PACKAGESThe G63 AMG's cabin now has single-tone leather trim, an AMG gear selector lever with leather insets and an embossed AMG emblem, AMG stainless-steel illuminated door sills with AMG lettering, a colour AMG instrument cluster and the Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system with COMAND Online and a media interface for the latest in-car enhancements.
Included is a Chrome Package and an Exterior Styling Package - each an option on the G350 BlueTEC.
Despite its focus on performance, the G63 AMG, in common with every G-Class, has permanent all-wheel drive, differential locks, all-wheel electronic traction control and a low-range gear set.
*These are UK prices (converted on August 7 2012) and could differ largely with those in SA through import and other taxes.
