The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen doesn’t look much different
than the boxy SUVs from each of the 40 years preceding it. Typically, if a
vehicle is indistinguishable from its predecessors, that’s a bad thing.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is anything but typical.
I went to San Diego, California to spend some time with both
the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 and AMG G63 to see what’s different, and in this
case, if change is good.
Here are 8 things you need to know about the 2019
Mercedes-Benz G550 and AMG G63.
This is some black magic
The G550 drives like the old G-Class, but better. The extra
4.8 inches of width and 2.1 inches of length combined with a stiffer structure,
weight loss of 375 pounds, and independent front suspension that replaced the
old solid axle give the bruiser a new confident, stable feel the old G lacked.
But it’s the AMG G63 model that is unbelievable, a rare
feat. With softer springs up front combined with stiffer damper tune both front
and rear, an anti-roll bar in the rear and a stiffer anti-roll bar up front, the
AMG G63 doesn’t just handle, it carves corners. It’s an unreal, and surreal,
experience carving corners in a Mercedes G-Class. Corners can be taken far
faster than physics, and science, should allow.
2019 Mercedes-AMG G63
Still conquers rocks
Don’t think that because the new G-Class is far more capable
on-road that it’s lost anything off road. All Gs now sport 9.5-inches of ground
clearance (up 0.2 inches), and the AMG G63 has three off-road programs (trail,
sand, and rock) while the G550 has one (G-Mode). The three locking differentials are still on board, though the
metal rocker switches have been updated to plastic buttons, which is a shame.
For 2019, the G550 comes standard with 18-inch wheels (19-
and 20-inchers are available), but factory-approved 18-inch Falken Wildpeak
all-terrain tires won’t be available until the 2020 model year for off-road
adventures.
The G63 launches for 2019 with 21-inch wheels (22-inchers
are available), and AMG is still hard at work on an approved 18-inch
all-terrain setup that it will rubber stamp.
If the new G can’t get to Grandma’s house, there’s been a
serious miscalculation.
The bull comes standard
All 2019 G-Classes come standard with bull bars. Yes,
seriously.
The G550’s goes around the upper grille and headlights while
the AMG G63s only goes around the lower grilles.
Mercedes-Benz told Motor Authority the bull bars are
standard and that’s how they were certified and tested for sale in the U.S.,
but that could change in the future.
Off-roaders will be dismayed to learn the design of the
G550’s bull bar interferes with the surround-view camera system, so only the
AMG G63 model has that very handy feature.
Finally, cup holders
The G-Class finally has cupholders.
The previous G-Class was never designed for Americans and
their Big Gulps. The G-Class didn’t officially come to the U.S. until 2002, and
its solution for America's need for cup holders was less than ideal: an
attachment to the center console on the passenger side that dangled a Starbucks
cup nervously.
The new G-Class has two cupholders front and center ahead of
the gear selector like most modern cars just waiting for that morning
Frappuccino from Starbucks.
Leather, wood, metal, oh my
The G-Class is as tough as ever, but the interior is now as
plush as it can be—for a G-Class. Quilted leather adorns the seats and door
panels, real wood is on the grab handle for those “Oh crap” moments, and
there’s bits of real metal about the cabin.
There’s also some cheap plastic that’s been made to look
like brushed aluminum. Lots of it. Particularly around the air vents on the
dashboard. It’s a sour point in an otherwise exquisite interior.
Still a vault
Only three things carried over from the old G-Class to the
new G-Class: door locks, spare wheel cover, and headlamp washers. The latter
two no one will really care, but the first one, people care.
Mercedes-Benz said that’s the first question current G-Class
owners asked: Does it still have the same locks?
Unlock the G and there’s an absurdly loud click as the locks
rotate open. Grab the door handle, click the button and the door releases. It’s
one of the most satisfying feelings in the automotive universe. Slam the door
shut and it sounds like a vault closing. Lock the doors and it sounds like a
vault locking.
Side pipes, because side pipes
Both the G550 and AMG 63 are powered by a 4.0-liter
twin-turbo V-8 that sends power to all four wheels at all times via a 9-speed
automatic transmission. In the G550, this setup is good for 416 horsepower and
450 pound-feet of torque, and the AMG 63 spins out 577 hp and 627 lb-ft.
While the exhaust tips are mounted aft of the B-pillar on
both sides of the G-Class, only the G63 gets visible exhaust tips. Side pipes.
The reason? Ground clearance. On the G550 the exhaust tips are mounted up high
out of harm's way.
The AMG G63’s 0-60-mph dash happens in 4.5 seconds. It’s the
definition of a flying brick.
Capability costs
There’s no easy way to put this: The G-Class isn’t cheap.
The 2019 G550 starts from $125,495 while the AMG G63 will start from $148,495 when it goes on sale
in the U.S. early in 2019.
Add a few options to the G550 and one might as well buy the
G63, which, one should anyways because it drives worlds better and does things
it shouldn't be able to do.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1120710_8-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-2019-mercedes-benz-g550-and-amg-g63
by Joel Feder
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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