Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4²

The Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² (or G550 4×4² in the United States and Canada) is a special edition of the W-463 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (1990–2018), built with portal gear axles and much larger wheels and tires, for greatly increased off-road capability. In production since 2015, the model combines the body of a regular long-wheelbase Mercedes G-Class with the portal axles with hub gearing of the much larger Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6.[1] In addition to the greatly increased ground clearance, the G500 4×4² version has a significantly wider track than regular G-Class models.[2]

Fitted with a twin-turbo V8 engine with up to 416 HP, the vehicle stands out by combining Humvee-like off-road specifications with sports car performance, as well as being one of the very few production cars equipped with portal axles / geared hubs.

History

Mercedes-Benz initially showed the G500 4×4² to the public as a concept car, called "Extreme-G". One reason the concept was developed was due to the high demand for the G-Class — in 2014 the G-Class sold over 14,000 units. As a result, a considerable budget for low-volume derivatives was authorized.[2] Positive response to this show car helped endorse the development of a series production version.[3] The car was launched at the Geneva motor show and brought into production in 2015 [4][5][6][7]

Though initially not available, the car was introduced to the U.S. market as a 2017 model– called the G550 4x4²– at an introduction price around $200,000.

Features and specifications

The Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² has a 4.0 L twin-turbo V8 petrol engine producing 416 bhp and 450 lbft of torque, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and three lockable differentials, like any regular G-Class.[8] The special portal axles, geared hubs, and wheels are complemented by raised suspension developed by KW with dual spring and shock damper struts with adjustable damping, on each corner.[10][11][12] The car features very aggressive styling, using a front fascia copied from the G63 and G65 AMG with dual side-pipe exhausts that exit ahead of the rear wheels on both flanks.[2] The vehicle's ground clearance of 410 mm, which is less than the 18.2 inches that the M1165 Humvee has, but it can sprint from naught to 60 mph in less than six seconds.[8]

See also

• Mercedes-Benz G-Class
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
• Mercedes-AMG G65 AMG – another special G-Class version of the 2010s