The New Biggest Badass: Mercedes G Class

Mercedes have just announced that the G-Class, their iconic off-roader, is getting a makeover. If you’re in the market for a top of the range all-terrain vehicle but don’t fancy something from Land Rover, you could do a lot worse than Merc’s rugged, badass 4x4.

The G-Class, which has been around for more than 30 years, has received mechanical and aesthetic upgrades that make up for its ageing boxy exterior. The G350 BlueTEC is arguably the sensible option. But I use the world sensible in relative terms. A 3.0 litre V6 pumps out 211hp whilst retaining the same 25.2mpg figures from before. It's also got more stuff as standard including the LED daytime running lights that are slowly taking over the road as well as a reworked interior.

So far, so standard upgrade. But things get a little bit mental with the G63 AMG. Lift the bonnet and you’ll find a hand built, bi-turbo, 5.5-litre V8 engine from the masters at AMG, delivering a whopping 544hp and 760Nm of torque. Those figures in a car with the apparent aerodynamics of a wardrobe should make for an interesting ride.

To distinguish your AMG from the plebs in their puny V6 the G63 also gets its own unique radiator grille, wheel-arch extensions and a sports exhaust system while riding on 20” five twin spoke alloy wheels. Inside you’ve got lashings of leather and a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system which should make your German techno playlist extra bangin'. All this comes at a hefty price, though. The G350 BlueTEC starts at £82,945 up to the G63 AMG at a rather premium £123,115.

So lets recap; that’s 500+hp in a retro cubey off roader that costs over 100k? The Germans’ famous sense of humour is clearly alive and well. Das ist gut ja!