Major Mercedes-Benz G-Class changes hide under its iconic sheetmetal

Few SUVs on the road are as iconic as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The civilian version of the G-Class was introduced in 1979 as a rugged military and work vehicle. Externally, not much has changed in the 37 years since then. The body work is essentially unchanged, and underneath the G-Class still features solid front and rear axles. Like the Jeep Wrangler, the design has become so iconic that any change is sure to ignite some controversy. It's no surprise then that the upcoming 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class looks a lot like the G-Class that's currently on the road.

We've seen spy shots of the G-Wagen before, and it doesn't seem much has changed in the few months since then. The photos show many of the current models design cues, like an external spare, have carried over. The new G-Wagon is set to grow in size, both in width and length. That will provide some much needed improvement in interior space. Expect the new model to lose a lot of weight in order to boost fuel economy. Most controversial for some fans may be the move to an independent front axle.

There's no word on what may power the new model, but Mercedes recently announced a new inline six-cylinder engine, so there's a chance we'll find that under the hood. Expect the popular AMG models to follow. Look for the full reveal of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at an auto show in the next few months.

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