Detroit Preview: Mercedes-Benz Spills Some Details On 2019 G-Class Off-Road Ability

Looks like the undisguised exterior has been leaked, as seen on Autocar....pretty radical redesign..

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-detroit-motor-show/2018-mercedes-benz-g-class-leaks-ahead-detroit-motor-show?utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=Enews Bulletins&utm_content=ACAR ENews Bulletin_New (04.01.2018)::hero_headline&utm_source=20180104

26 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Looks like the undisguised exterior has been leaked, as seen on Autocar....pretty radical redesign..

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-detroit-motor-show/2018-mercedes-benz-g-class-leaks-ahead-detroit-motor-show?utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=Enews Bulletins&utm_content=ACAR ENews Bulletin_New (04.01.2018)::hero_headline&utm_source=20180104

Hmmmm They really pushed the nose out there. It isn't actually a lot but for how flat the last one is this one looks pretty different. The rest looks the same which is perfect. 

So, I can't tell if this is just a refresh of the existing one or not.

It's a very subtle redesign.  The Autocar article said it was all new with a noticeable weight reduction.   I wonder if they have eliminated some of the classic details like the exposed screws that Balthy liked 

12 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

So, I can't tell if this is just a refresh of the existing one or not.

That's exactly what they were going for. 

10 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

It's a very subtle redesign.  The Autocar article said it was all new with a noticeable weight reduction.   I wonder if they have eliminated some of the classic details like the exposed screws that Balthy liked 

The exposed hinges are still there! 

It's like a luxury Wrangler Unlimited in some respects.   

After looking at the Autocar story, clearly hinges are still exposed, zooming into the pictures, you can see the external screws that are on the existing on sale version are gone. Internal is the biggest update as the external is just a refresh to me.

Is it worth 6 figures? Yes to some, no to others. price wise it exceeds Escalade which does tell me Cadillac needs a V Sport and V edition of the Escalade.

Off road capability, no, leave it to have an equal off road version in GMC as a Yukon Denali, Hummer like edition.

Will have to see in person if this would be of internal space to me to be in any consideration. External, is does nothing for me, just an overpriced bread box still.

Max water fording depth is up to 27.5 inches on the new one, that is insane.  Anyone that buys a G-Wagen should take it off road at least once a year.  Even if you are a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills wannabe celeb driving this thing, it is a total waste of you don’t drive it up a mountain or over a sand dune or through a brick wall or something.

The new model is said to be roomier on the inside it, and several hundred pounds lighter, same exterior size. 

On 1/4/2018 at 10:13 AM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

I wonder if they have eliminated some of the classic details like the exposed screws that Balthy liked 

It's mostly the exposed gaskets, but the screws didn't help. But calling them 'classic' is like calling WalMart uni-fit plastic hubcaps 'classic'.

WAIT- this is the 2019 G??
WTF happened to the concept G, the plasticy looking thing?
Why doesn't Daimler ever produce any of their concepts?
I guess the hideously low sales don't warrant a full redesign.

Could had this:

Instead you get a VW SUV from the '80s; you're welcome! :

And I can see the exposed gaskets FROM HERE.
Anybody still think there weren't corners cut?
Daimler must have an 80% margin on this.

The concept was just cartoon nonsense.  The production one is retro modern, like the Wrangler.  Supposedly all-new. 

19 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Max water fording depth is up to 27.5 inches on the new one, that is insane.  Anyone that buys a G-Wagen should take it off road at least once a year.  Even if you are a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills wannabe celeb driving this thing, it is a total waste of you don’t drive it up a mountain or over a sand dune or through a brick wall or something.

The new model is said to be roomier on the inside it, and several hundred pounds lighter, same exterior size. 

Yeah, I remember seeing quite a few of them in Phoenix & Scottsdale, always shiny and polished, shiny black tires and chrome wheels.  It would be nice to see people actually using them off-road, covered in dust and mud, scratches and rock chips, dents, etc... 

The Concept G from a few years ago was never meant to be a new G-Wagen, the G-class is what it is, they aren’t going to mess with the formula.  There has been talk that the Concept G will turn into a GLB boxy, off road looking crossover in the mid $30s price range.  

That's a shame; mercedes should build their concepts- they're far more intriguing than the white bread they do make.

That concept would draw all sorts of attention & sales to the brand, even at exorbitant prices. Opportunity lost.

45 minutes ago, balthazar said:

That's a shame; mercedes should build their concepts- they're far more intriguing than the white bread they do make.

That concept would draw all sorts of attention & sales to the brand, even at exorbitant prices. Opportunity lost.

Agree TOTALLY!  

The concept had me interested, this warmed over refresh is just Meh, I bet still tight back seating which means the Escalade beats this as a luxury SUV.

Yes SMK, G-Wagon has better offroad capabilities that I think these sales only help them to reduce R&D for the military version as you never see the G-Wagon off road much if ever except for the extreme videos on YouTube.

2 hours ago, dfelt said:

Agree TOTALLY!  

The concept had me interested, this warmed over refresh is just Meh, I bet still tight back seating which means the Escalade beats this as a luxury SUV.

Yes SMK, G-Wagon has better offroad capabilities that I think these sales only help them to reduce R&D for the military version as you never see the G-Wagon off road much if ever except for the extreme videos on YouTube.

First off, as I said, the Ener-G Concept was not meant to be the G-Wagen, that was a electric fuel cell concept which obviously isn’t commercially viable from a powertrain standpoint.

They are building a GLB crossover in 2019 based on that concept, so the masses will line up to get a mini G-Wagen. 

The current G-Wagen has more rear seat legroom than the Escalade, the new G-Wagen is getting 5.9 inches more so no problem there.  And keep in mind the G-Wagen is a mid-size SUV. 

"meant to be" is immaterial; it SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

Lost opportunity.

7 hours ago, balthazar said:

"meant to be" is immaterial; it SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

Lost opportunity.

Not sure how it is a lost opportunity when they are building an SUV based on that concept.   

Niches within niches...the GLB is rumored to be a butched-up GLA with G-class styling in a compact form, while a rumored GLG would be a GLE variation with G-class styling and room for 7. 

GLBGLAGLCGLEGLG - utterly exhausting.

Then again, if they badged a GGG, Guy Fieri could drive one on DDD.

Not sure how it is a lost opportunity when they are building an SUV based on that concept.

Here's how. Assumedly, if the concept comes out as a 'xxB', it's a bottom feeder cheap model, whereas the flagship G lingers on in 1979 guise. Top-down, not bottom up - don't want your $30K SUV to look & feel 50 years newer than your $110K SUV.

The G-class isn’t changing it’s look, just like the Wrangler has looked the same for 50 years.  And it now is on a 2018 so all of a sudden the G-Wagen has the most modern chassis in the industry. 

And the GLB will feel nothing like a G-Wagen, plus the GLE is the same size as the G-Wagen, half the price and has been more modern than it the past 15 years and G-wagen sales went up every year.  

What Mercedes is doing is similar to what Jeep has done, they can run 2 styling themes on SUVs, one boxy and off road like Wrangler and Renegade, one more smoother out like Compass and Cherokee and both can work.

That's the problem- the G SHOULD change... into a modern equivalent.

Also, the Wrangler is FAR more iconic and not the brand's flagship model; it can afford to remain truer to it's roots, esp for a brand like Jeep.

Hahaha, the G-Wagen should never change.  That box on wheels is here to stay because that is what the G-class buyers want.  It set a global sales record in 2016, I imagine when the 2017 global numbers are out it will outdo 2016.  

It is plenty modern, the chassis is brand new, the  4.0 V8 and 9-speed first came out in 2016, it has current Mercedes interior trim and electronics. 

What Cadillac fans don’t get is the Escalade doesn’t compete with the G-Wagen and if Cadillac wants to then they need a product above the Escalade, but Cadillac/GM management thinks no SUV at GM can be above the Escalade, just like no sports car can be above the Corvette.  This kills Cadillac when trying to take on high end cars.

Think how many MORE Daimler could sell if it was something from this century! GM matched Daimler in profit in '16, Daimler needs to step up their game!

G should have a 12-spd trans, it's behind the Escalade with it's 10 gears. Should also have a stretched WB version, and a convertible- that would be unique. But it really just needs modernization where it can be seen/felt. With no visual link with the rest of the line, as the flagship it instills no cache to the rest of the brand. A proverbial 'red-headed step-child'.

Maybe MB should brand the G separately and radically expand it; bring it in-house and add more models.

And they REALLY need an emergency re-do on the balloon knot air vents.

Maybe they are planning a Maybach version of the G....

GM sells 4 or 5 vehicles for every 1 Daimler sells, so them making equal profit would suggest Daimler does a better job.

Mercedes ran something like a million simulations to see if there was any benefit in efficiency of a 10 speed to a 9 speed, and there was not, so that is why they made a 9-speed.  

They already build a convertible Maybach G-Wagen.

The G-class is also not the flagship Mercedes, the S-class is, always has been and is stated so on the Mercedes website.  

Pffft- everybody knows the highest priced vehicle is the flagship.

S-class is a boring, vanilla sedan that brings the same stylistic cues to the table as it has since 1998. Bo Ring.
Besides, what kind of 'flagship' would do this to a customer:
http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/13355/this-1-owner-mercedes-benz-s65-amg-sold-for-2-percent-of-its-original-price

Ener-G Concept inspired GLB coming next year.

2 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Ener-G Concept inspired GLB coming next year.

Looks like a funeral hurst only with a live guy in the back! 

14 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Thank you my man, I was in a hurry and that is what I get for thinking dead people and confusing it with auto power.  

I assume the fancy opera window on the GLB won't make it to production.. so the GLB will sit between the GLA and GLC, I assume. 

Wow- that is some FWD profile! Since they went to nissan for a pick-up truck, perhaps they partnered with VPG for this (tho the MV-1 has less frontal overhang).

8 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Wow- that is some FWD profile! Since they went to nissan for a pick-up truck, perhaps they partnered with VPG for this (tho the MV-1 has less frontal overhang).

It's just a rebodied variation of the FWD GLA, I think..  more filler.

On 1/6/2018 at 10:41 AM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Niches within niches...the GLB is rumored to be a butched-up GLA with G-class styling in a compact form, while a rumored GLG would be a GLE variation with G-class styling and room for 7. 

Mercedes should have kept Chrysler and bought Fiat.  They could have just rebadged the Renegade for the GLB. 

Motor1 has these great sliding windows comparing the old and new G wagon. 

This actually shows just how much has not changed on the SUV except for the interior shots. Like those.

https://www.motor1.com/news/227089/2019-mercedes-g-class-comparison/

On 1/5/2018 at 5:41 PM, balthazar said:

WAIT- this is the 2019 G??
WTF happened to the concept G, the plasticy looking thing?
Why doesn't Daimler ever produce any of their concepts?
I guess the hideously low sales don't warrant a full redesign.

Could had this:

Instead you get a VW SUV from the '80s; you're welcome! :

And I can see the exposed gaskets FROM HERE.
Anybody still think there weren't corners cut?
Daimler must have an 80% margin on this.

Nothing about that bubbly concept is attractive. It also looks 2 lanes wide. 

On 1/5/2018 at 7:17 PM, balthazar said:

That's a shame; mercedes should build their concepts- they're far more intriguing than the white bread they do make.

That concept would draw all sorts of attention & sales to the brand, even at exorbitant prices. Opportunity lost.

I think their 6X6 and G500(squared) in neon yellow did the trick. 

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

Nothing about that bubbly concept is attractive. It also looks 2 lanes wide. 

It looks like a kids ride-on toy...just cartoonish plastic nonsense...

On 1/6/2018 at 11:16 AM, balthazar said:

That's the problem- the G SHOULD change... into a modern equivalent.

Also, the Wrangler is FAR more iconic and not the brand's flagship model; it can afford to remain truer to it's roots, esp for a brand like Jeep.

Why? What reason is there for it to change? Because it sells plenty at 120k starting price? 

AMG GT is their flagship vehicle. 

2 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

It looks like a kids ride-on toy...just cartoonish plastic nonsense...

YES. 

If they built that exact thing people would complain they build something with 10 inch windows and horrible blind spots with tires that stick out too far. Oh, and that it looks like sh!t. 

39 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Nothing about that bubbly concept is attractive. It also looks 2 lanes wide. 

I think their 6X6 and G500(squared) in neon yellow did the trick. 

That 2012 Bubbly Concept actually had me interested in a possible new SUV. But the re-warmed G-Wagon is a Failure!

What they gave us was a Rewarmed worked over 40 year old product.

2019 G Wagon

2012 when they showed the G Wagon Concept it was exciting to the crowds and this shows just how much better it was than the current G Wagon.

They could have at least give us this concept version of the G Wagon that they did in 2015 or 2016.

That is a 6 figure Modern 21st century G Wagon at least, not what they released this year.

Makes me think MB is not as flush with cash and just trying to keep ripping people off with old product till they can make money to support their EV initiative. Makes me think they see a short life for the G Wagon before People will demand an EV long range version.

You never had interest in a 100k Mercedes SUV. You're completely full of $h! once I read that. You dog that company so much. 

10 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

You never had interest in a 100k Mercedes SUV. You're completely full of $h! once I read that. You dog that company so much. 

LOL, I might dog that company but then I dog all companies and yes up till that concept they had nothing of interest. That concept and the Lovely Red one I posted have my interest, the rest of their product line sucks.

People change their minds all the times depending on what a companies offers and you should know that ccap41.

I loved the 2012 concept and have stated that in past posts if you are wanting to go look. The new concept I found in searching today just tells me that MB has yet to get it right and those of us that do spend money on expensive auto's will do so when the style / Design is right.

2019 G Wagon - Failure in my Book

That Red Concept above - Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!  

Since you seem to have forgotten or never really paid attention, I do own a 100K SUV! Escalade ESV Platinum, fully loaded.

You got a new Escalade?  Cool.   I thought you had a 2004 or so.  The new G-Class is all new from what I've read, not 'old product'. 

Of course that 'bloaty' SUV would be 'productionized', but it's 1000 steps in the right direction.

That red G concept above- I've never seen that before. That's the PERFECT balance of heritage and 21st century. Can't for the LIFE of me figure out why Daimler couldn't pull the trigger on it.

That red concept looks like someones Photoshop effort of a Grand Cherokee with a Merc style front end and a few other tweaks...the side contours look very GCish...

15 hours ago, balthazar said:

Of course that 'bloaty' SUV would be 'productionized', but it's 1000 steps in the right direction.

That red G concept above- I've never seen that before. That's the PERFECT balance of heritage and 21st century. Can't for the LIFE of me figure out why Daimler couldn't pull the trigger on it.

I totally agree that they should have pulled the trigger and I think I now know why.

15 hours ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

That red concept looks like someones Photoshop effort of a Grand Cherokee with a Merc style front end and a few other tweaks...the side contours look very GCish...

Nope not a photoshop at all, they showed this off in Frankfurt at their big show last year. 

The Red G is to become their new 3 row GLG SUV for MB.

That has my attention and looks yards way better than the G-Wagon.

That's clearly not a G Wagen replacement though. It looks like a GLS-sized vehicle. The G Wagen is relatively small. 

15 hours ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

You got a new Escalade?  Cool.   I thought you had a 2004 or so.  The new G-Class is all new from what I've read, not 'old product'. 

You are correct, on both of those. 

As far as I can tell, the 'GLG' is speculative fiction at this point...googling it turns up photos and a You Tube clip from Auto Bild and CarScoop and a couple other magazines with mention of 'renderings'....i.e. photoshop.

Supposedly the next gen GLS coming soon will have a longer wheelbase Maybach version, though. 

8 hours ago, ccap41 said:

That's clearly not a G Wagen replacement though. It looks like a GLS-sized vehicle. The G Wagen is relatively small.

But you get the sentiment being expressed here, yes? That the G desperately needs a redesign to bring it into the current century? Designs can be scaled easily- not a major hurdle.

5 minutes ago, balthazar said:

But you get the sentiment being expressed here, yes? That the G desperately needs a redesign to bring it into the current century? Designs can be scaled easily- not a major hurdle.

Well, the G has been totally redesigned for the 2019 model year, as is the subject of this thread.  It should do well with it's retro styling...

29 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Well, the G has been totally redesigned for the 2019 model year, as is the subject of this thread.  It should do well with it's retro styling...

But that is the point Balthazar and I are trying to make, the underside might be modern according to MB, but the look is severely dated and while they sell them at an overflated price for what you get IMHO, they could probably increase sales greatly if they used the GLG style of body as the new G-Wagon scaled to be larger.

MB is missing a bigger sales potential by sticking with already built stamping in building and selling the G-Wagon.