Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept is a G-Class for the future

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Electric

Looking to create an entrant for this year's LA Design Challenge, Mercedes-Benz came up with the Ener-G-Force to fit the theme of Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025. Mercedes-Benz says that the styling of the Ener-G-Force builds on many cues from the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and like the original G-Wagen introduced in 1979 as a civilian version of a military vehicle, it didn't take much imagination to envision a civilian version of the Ener-G-Force. Of course, it wouldn't be a futuristic concept vehicle without some sort of advanced powertrain, and the concept unveiled today delivers on this front as well.

From a design standpoint, the Ener-G-Force infuses many elements seen on the G-Class but with a much more modern interpretation giving it a new, yet recognizable appearance. These cues include the sunk-in headlights, turn signals/running lights mounted atop the front fenders, the long, flat roofline and the low, rectangular taillights, but the Ener-G-Force ditches the G-Class' boxy lines in favor of a more rounded shape.

One of the interesting elements of the concept is the roof rack. While it looks like a cargo rack that could be used for a safari, it is actually a way for the vehicle to collect water to store in tanks to then be transferred to a converter that creates hydrogen to power the fuel cells. The batteries for this system are built into the rocker panels, and the hypothetical range for this conceptual system is 500 miles of zero-emission driving. For off-roading purposes, the system uses four independent motors at each wheel and a roof-mounted scanner that adjusts the suspension to best fit the road conditions and terrain.

The Ener-G-Force was one of six entrants for the 2012 LA Design Challenge, and the winning design will be announced on November 29 as a part of the LA Auto Show. Scroll down to read more about the Ener-G-Force in a press release from Mercedes-Benz.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept is a G-Class for the future

Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept is a G-Class for the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the man on a 23-year road trip in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, SUV, Etc., Mercedes-Benz

Wanderlust: It alternately makes life worth living, yet discourages living life in a conventional fashion. Or on a more practical level, not a day goes by that those of us given to rambling do not battle conflicted desires to slip behind the wheel and slip out of town.

To we lovers of the open road, Gunther Holtorf must represent the Platonic ideal: A man on a never-ending road-trip, one that has now lasted 23 years. Even more amazing than Holtorf's decades spent traveling the world in his Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, however, is that he has done it entirely under the radar, with nary a press clipping until the BBC posted this video.

Holtorf set out on what was to be a tour of Africa with his wife in 1989, and somewhere along the way the couple decided to just keep going. He's put over 500,000 miles on his G-Wagen since, and, thankfully, the 74-year-old man has documented his trip rather extensively with two Leica film cameras.

Scroll down to watch a narrated slideshow of Gunther's life on the road.

Continue reading Meet the man on a 23-year road trip in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

Meet the man on a 23-year road trip in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch the Mercedes-Benz G-Class make its own parking spot

Chris Tutor — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, UK, Humor, Luxury

When you're the boss, parking is never a problem on the jobsite. Not even if someone has taken your reserved spot. Not even if they've taken your spot with, um, the office.

Because the boss drives a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG and uses at least part of his V8's 560 pound-feet of torque to subtly - OK, not so subtly - create a space where the office formerly sat.

Oh, that's power. Not just the Geländewagen's 544 horsepower, but also the boss's power to jeopardize the health and well-being of his underlings, the condition of his $129,000 rolling anachronism, and do it without fear of consequence. Oh, and since the G63 isn't available in the States, he's probably doing it with a pretentiously amazing German accent.

Either that or there is MUCH more money to be made as a construction worker than we ever imagined.

Video proof below.

Continue reading Watch the Mercedes-Benz G-Class make its own parking spot

Watch the Mercedes-Benz G-Class make its own parking spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG [w/video]

Matt Davis — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury, Off-Road

The Marauder Of The Countryside Is Angry

There are some drive tests where we would love to have automated voice and sound transcription technology to be able to capture for you the thrills in real time. Don't let this plain ol' four-wheeled box fool you; the new Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG is so full of character it's fit to burst.

You would not be chastised for staring at the exterior of the G63 and noticing nothing different from the 2012 Geländewagen. The changes outside are just a few and deliberately so; redesigning this icon is just as sensitive an issue as redesigning a Porsche 911 for those rabidly enamored of the old school image. To be brief - there are now turn indicators in the side-view mirrors, LED running lights, and on this new AMG model, the bumper and twin-blade grille are different from those on lesser trims.

Seriously, that's it. And though not a true new-generation truck, this is what passes for a significant refresh of the 463-generation of G-Class that launched way back in 1990, the same year Nelson Mandela was freed from prison, Germany was reunified and The Simpsons first hit the air.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG [w/video]

2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes reveals G63 and G65 AMG ahead of Beijing

Zach Bowman — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, China, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Beijing Motor Show, Off-Road

Mercedes-Benz has been kind enough to give us all a glimpse of the company's 2013 G63 AMG ahead of the super SUV's debut at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. A 5.5-liter AMG-built twin-turbo V8 engine lurks behind the updated face, complete with a heady 544 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. The direct-injection engine is also laden with fuel-saving gear, including a start/stop system and an intelligent alternator that only charges the vehicle's electrical system when needed.

We're guessing the tech may help move the boxy Geländewagen's fuel economy from supremely abysmal to merely exceptionally atrocious. Mercedes-Benz hasn't released any solid estimates beyond saying the numbers have improved by around 13 percent on the EU cycle. Keep in mind, that's with 44 more horsepower than the outgoing G55 AMG. A seven-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties.

If the G63 AMG doesn't provide enough power for you, there's always brawny G65 AMG. With its twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine, the monster delivers 612 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. For perspective, that's more thrust than vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with a Duramax turbodiesel, the Ferrari 458 Italia or the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4. This dog will surely hunt.

European G-Class buyers can look forward to shelling out €137,504 (circa $180k USD) for the G63 AMG, including Value Added Tax. The G65 AMG, meanwhile, starts at a breathtaking €264,180 (roughly $347k). Mercedes-Benz suggests we should see the G63 AMG in the States beginning in August, but it's remaining mum on the G65's prospects, and it has not disclosed U.S. pricing. Learn more in the official release after the jump.

Continue reading Mercedes reveals G63 and G65 AMG ahead of Beijing

Mercedes reveals G63 and G65 AMG ahead of Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler sending 50 trucks to help relief efforts in Japan

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Japan, Work, Mercedes-Benz, Off-Road

With the situation still deteriorating in Japan, Daimler has announced that it is donating 50 new trucks to help out with disaster relief. The generous donation is being made to the Nippon Foundation and includes eight Mercedes-Benz Zetros trucks, four Unimogs, four G-Class SUVs and thirty Mitsubishi Fuso Canter trucks.

The latter are built by Daimler in Japan, and as such, will be easier to deliver, but the remaining 20 Mercedes trucks had to be airlifted from Germany to Japan by means of two Antonov 124 cargo planes - the largest serially-manufactured planes in the world (second only to its big brother, the Antonov 225, of which only one was ever built in order to transport the Russian space shuttle).

The donation amounts to approximately €4 million ($5.8M), and follows the €2 million ($2.9M) cash donation which Daimler sent shortly after the disaster struck. An additional initiative of the company's employees has already raised another half-million euros, which will be distributed via the Red Cross.

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Daimler sending 50 trucks to help relief efforts in Japan

Daimler sending 50 trucks to help relief efforts in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept ready to blitz the front

Noah Joseph — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Truck, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Military, Off-Road

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Planning on invading something? Ze Germans have a bit of experience to impart, and it comes in its latest form as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept. Unveiled at the Eurosatory defense exposition in France - so named, in case you were wondering, for Camp Satory where the French defense ministry used to hold the event - the up-armored G-Class is like the existing LAPV 5.4, but more... well, capable.

The go-anywhere, conquer-anything truck can carry 2,866 pounds of cargo over just about any terrain you can throw at it, reinforced by armor plating - including underbody protection from land mines (or perhaps more poignantly, roadside IEDs). It's got an on-the-fly adjustable suspension with nearly 18 inches of ground clearance, full combat communications and jamming system, hydraulic ventilated disc brakes and an unspecified common-rail diesel engine. And best of all, it's got orange wheels, but we'd imagine those would be a delete option for more covert operations. Check it out in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept

[Source: Mercedes-Benz via World Car Fans]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept ready to blitz the front

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept ready to blitz the front originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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