The hardcore, built-to-order Mercedes Benz G63 AMG 6×6 took the world by storm, but was a little big – too big actually- six humongous wheels full of boxy, vault-like, £370,000 Mercedes Benz G-Class pick-up. Step in the smaller – absolutely relatively speaking, the 4 wheeled version – the G500 4×4² (Squared).
From the looks of it, the new Mercedes Benz G500 4×4 ² will be able to do perform all the land flattening antics of it’s 6X6 counterpart, like wading through a meter of water courtesy its 450 mm ground clearance. The “recipe” for this mini-monster from the official release says –
“take the superior all-wheel-drive powertrain, including portal axles from the 6×6 – take away one axle – and blend it all with a newly-developed variable chassis and the series-production G-Class body. A large pinch of 4.0 litre V8 biturbo power with 422 hp, a set of 22-inch 325/55 R 22-sized wheels, carbon-fibre detachable body parts and then just gourmet ingredients from the seductive designo Exclusive range for the interior -and the 5-star menu for all off-road enthusiasts is ready”
Here are some specs that differentiate it from it’s tamer sibling, the G 500:
| G 500 4×4² | Long-wheelbase G 500 | |
| Ground clearance | 450 mm | 210 mm |
| Angle of approach/departure f/r | 52 / 54 | 36/27 |
| Breakover angle | 47 | 21 |
| Tipping angle | 30 | 28° |
| Fording depth | 1000 mm | 600 mm |
| Slope climbing ability | 100% | 100% |
| Wheelbase | 2850 mm | |
| Track, front/rear | 1774 mm | 1475 mm |
| Wheel/tyre combination | 9.5 J x 22 325/55 R 22 |
7.5 J x 18 265/60 R 18 |
You can be putting all the aforementioned numbers to good use, but the G500 4×4 ² will still make you stay cocooned inside – like a true Mercedes. Upholstered with the designo Exclusive package (black designo leather with white contrasting topstitching), right down to the seat bolsters, head restraints as well as the dashboard, centre console and armrests in the doors . The seat surfaces and door panels feature diamond-design quilting, while there is DINAMICA trim for the roof liner and the body pillars as well.
Meanwhile, a new official video shows the off-road focused concept emerge from a cave and embark on an adventure that includes traversing rugged mountain trails and forging a stream. The model then struts its stuff on some rocks before catching some air, and then takes on a series of hairpin bends – clearly not its thing:
