It looks like one of the biggest, baddest SUVs in
production, the Mercedes-Benz
G-Class, is about to get a whole lot tougher with the arrival of a new 4x4
Squared variant.
Offered on the previous-generation G-Class in G550 guise,
the 4x4
Squared option saw the iconic SUV fitted with some serious off-road
gear, including portal axles that lent it its now-famous stance. The setup was
derived from a 6x6
version of the G-Class originally developed for military use and
offered in civilian guise for a limited time.
Our spy shots show a current-generation G550 with the same
fender flares and portal axles as the previous G550 4x4 Squared. There's also a
custom roof rack that's likely fitted with ballast to raise the vehicle's
center of gravity, which engineers often use during testing of stability
systems designed to prevent rollovers.
In the case of the previous G550 4x4 Squared, the ride
height was over 17 inches and it looks like the same will be true for the new
generation. The previous G550 4x4 Squared also came with permanent all-wheel drive,
a reduction transfer case, three differential locks, and of course the portal
axles. The latter is what contributed to the raised height: unlike conventional
axles, portal axles don't have the wheels mounted at the axle but lower via
individual portal transmissions.
Mercedes hasn't even said it's working on a new G550 4x4
Squared. Should production happen, there's a good chance Mercedes-AMG will
offer its own version based on the G63 this time around.
You'd best start saving if you're interested in parking a
new G550 4x4 Squared on your driveway. The last one cost a steep $225,925 and
we suspect any new one will cost even more.
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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