In only a few weeks Mercedes will lastly unveil the electrical G-wagen, perhaps an important mannequin within the historical past of the G-Class and my private most anticipated automobile of the last decade. So as to not steal the highlight from the G-Class EV, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 and 2025 Mercedes-AMG G63 simply bought revealed. These gas-powered G-wagens may look just about the identical as earlier than, however they’ve been completely overhauled with higher aerodynamics, a number of recent know-how, upgraded hybrid engines and even higher off-road functionality, for those who can consider it.
While the Mercedes-Benz G550 beforehand shared its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with the Mercedes-AMG G63, the 2025 G550 now makes use of a 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, making this the primary G-Class with a fuel inline-6 since 1998. The G550’s engine has an exhaust fuel turbocharger, an electrical compressor and a 48-volt hybrid system with an built-in starter-generator (ISG). Total output is 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, 27 hp greater than the previous G550 however 37 lb-ft fewer, although the ISG provides 20 hp and 148 lb-ft at low speeds. The G550 takes 5.3 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, an enchancment of 0.3 seconds over the previous V8.
Thankfully the Mercedes-AMG G63 retains the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, but it surely additionally good points a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Power stays the identical at 577 hp and 627 lb-ft, however the built-in starter-generator gives the identical enhance of 20 hp and 148 lb-ft. AMG says the up to date G63 will hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, three tenths faster than earlier than, whereas its 137-mph prime velocity stays the identical. Both fashions use a 9-speed automated transmission, with the G63 getting a sportier tune.
In addition to the prevailing Comfort, Eco, Sport and Individual modes (and the Sport+ and Slippery of the AMG), each variations of the up to date G-Class have new Trail, Rock and Sand off-road modes rather than the previous all-encompassing G-Mode. Adaptive dampers at the moment are commonplace on the G550, as with on the G63. And there are nonetheless the G’s legendary trio of locking diffs and an off-road gear discount.
The greater information on the G63 is the introduction of AMG’s Active Ride Control suspension, which was first utilized to the present era SL. Available as an possibility, it replaces typical mechanical anti-roll bars with two hydraulic connections on the adaptive shock absorbers and damper chambers for every wheel. This system not solely improves wheel articulation and off-road functionality but additionally the G63’s on-road manners, as Mercedes explains:
Active hydraulic parts change the traditional mechanical torsion anti-roll bars. The adaptive shock absorbers are outfitted with two hydraulic connections – one on the compression aspect of the damper and the opposite on the rebound aspect. Damper chambers on all 4 wheels are linked by way of hydraulic traces and the management valves of the adaptive dampers.
The interconnection of the 4 suspension struts and strain regulation of the pump and management valves enable a really extensive roll spring price unfold with lowered roll actions. During dynamic cornering, the hydraulics cut back the roll angle and subsequently lack of camber. The ensuing excessive camber stiffness and lowered physique motion allow the AMG G 63 to turn-in very exactly. The system additionally compensates for particular person obstacles that will in any other case result in rolling actions, which improves each journey consolation and dealing with.
The AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension additionally improves wheel articulation. This allows the wheels to keep up contact with the driving floor even when the automobile is closely articulated. This results in a major enhance in traction, climbing skill and off-road consolation, in addition to lowered pressure on each the automobile and driver.
The Active Ride Control comes with the brand new AMG Offroad Package Pro for the G63, which expands on the beforehand accessible Trail Package that primarily added all-terrain tires, tweaked suspension and dirt flaps. This pack additionally will get you two off-road drive modes: AMG Traction Pro makes use of wheel-selective braking torque management and the adjustable heart diff locker to provide you most off-road traction in low vary, whereas AMG Active Balance Control makes use of the flowery suspension to regulate roll stiffness from low to inflexible and enhance physique management and phone with the highway.
Design adjustments are delicate however efficient. The G550 has a brand new chrome grille with 4 thick silver bars that’s reminiscent each of older G’s and of present SUVs just like the GLS, and the redesigned entrance bumper has bigger rectangular intakes with a cool squircle mesh sample. Its rear bumper design has additionally been tweaked, and there are new wheel designs starting from 18s to 20s, with 19s coming commonplace. The Professional Package remains to be accessible, including all-terrain tires, a extra rugged spare tire cowl and a sick roof rack and rear ladder.
The G63 has even fewer adjustments, largely amounting to vertical louvers within the bumper intakes and extra stainless-steel trim. An AMG crest replaces the previous star emblem on the hood, and there are six wheel designs starting from 20s to 22s. Most importantly, the G63 nonetheless has distinguished side-exit exhaust tips about each side. You can get a brand new carbon-fiber package deal for a bunch of the outside components, which additionally features a darkish chrome grille and badge end, and darkened gentle housings and switch indicators. The AMG Offroad Package Pro additionally provides the G63 the roof rack and spare tire provider from the G550 Professional.
Even extra delicate to see however main by way of efficiency affect are plenty of aerodynamic tweaks that Mercedes achieved by way of growth of the EV. The A-pillar trim now not protrudes, as an alternative being a flush piece that that creates a pleasant curve, and the entrance fringe of the roof has a small spoiler lip. Not all the particulars are being divulged but, however there are different aero adjustments like small new physique contours and flusher edges and seams. Along with the hybrid engines gasoline economic system ought to see a notable enhance from these adjustments, and paired with extra inside insulation Mercedes says the updates additionally make the inside rather a lot quieter as nicely.
Years after it was first launched, the G-wagen lastly will get Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system, which replaces the very previous COMAND setup. Dual 12.3-inch screens stay commonplace, however the heart display screen is now a contact unit, and the previous management knob on the middle console has been changed by a touchpad. This system comes commonplace with options like wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, augmented actuality navigation and Mercedes’ nice voice assistant, which has 20 G-specific cues. There’s additionally USB-C ports, a wi-fi charging pad, a typical Burmester 3D encompass sound system and an non-compulsory rear-seat leisure system with a pair of 11.6-inch MBUX tablets.
An Offroad Cockpit mode takes over each dashboard screens to offer the motive force and passenger with all the related data you might hope for, from GPS positioning, altitude, pitch and articulation to steering angle, suspension journey, energy supply and tire strain. Different data web page tiles may be simply rearranged, and the middle display screen has shortcut buttons for hill-descent management, stability management and the parking sensors. The G-Class is now accessible with an non-compulsory dashcam, which can be activated by way of a kind of buttons.
Gone are the clocks within the dashboard and the small group of buttons they resided in, and the row of local weather management buttons under the air vents has been redesigned. The panel between the middle air vents nonetheless accommodates the diff lock switches, and likewise now has buttons for the Offroad Cockpit, low vary and the handbook transmission mode. Other than new steering wheel designs, design adjustments are slim — the G-Class doesn’t even get Mercedes’ newest seat controls (not a foul factor.) The 64-color ambient inside lighting is new and the air vents are illuminated, and the cupholders at the moment are local weather managed.
One of the most important additions to the function listing is keyless entry, which isn’t solely commonplace on each new G-Class however has by no means earlier than been provided on the G-Class. When the brand new era G first debuted in 2018, Mercedes’ engineers couldn’t determine learn how to make it work whereas retaining the G’s iconic door locks and latches. Even the swing-out tailgate has keyless entry, too.
Previously not accessible on the G550 due to the entrance brush guard’s placement, a 360-degree digital camera system is now commonplace on each G, because the entrance digital camera has been moved decrease down within the bumper. The rear digital camera is now within the heart above the license plate, and it has a sprayer to wash the digital camera. The up to date cameras additionally enable for a “Transparent Hood” operate that offers you a digital view of the terrain and obstacles beneath the automobile.
The G-Class’ security tech has been massively improved too. Active steering help with lane detection is on the market for the primary time and works at as much as 100 mph, and energetic emergency cease help and route-based velocity adaptation are newly accessible as nicely. Also commonplace on each G-Class are energetic lane-keeping help, adaptive cruise management with cease and go, automated emergency braking, blind spot help, exit warning, parking help and visitors signal recognition.
There are a bunch of recent paint colours, like Twilight Blue Metallic for the G550 and Hyper Blue Magno on the G63, and new inside leather-based choices like Catalana Beige and Black. Mercedes says there are over one million doable customizations by way of its Manufaktur program, which consists of dozens of various particular paint colours, upholstery shade schemes, inside trim choices, and different exterior and inside design parts.
Mercedes has but to announce pricing for the up to date G-wagens, however each fashions are certain to hold premiums over the prevailing variations. Expect the G550 to price round $150,000 and the G63 attain practically $200,000 once they go on sale within the second half of this yr. As for the electrical G, that can be unveiled in only a few weeks and sure hit sellers by the top of 2024 with a beginning worth above $200,000. Hopefully wilder variants like the 4×4 Squared are additionally within the works.
Source: jalopnik.com