2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

2013 G-Class Photos
Gentleman General Purpose There's an ATV slowly idling through the underbrush to my passenger side. Its rider's eyes are glued to the metallic purple bread van consuming every last square inch of the trail: a cube of glittering lunacy resting blissfully in the dappled light of a Tennessee morning. "I ain't never seen a Mercedes up here before." No sir, I suppose you haven't. I've spent the past three hours snaking the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550 up and down the less-travelled trails of the Windrock OHV Recreation area, laughing maniacally as $118,355-worth of German engineering flexed, scrambled and burbled its way over the park's uncertain terrain. There are only a handful of vehicles in the world that can be equally at home pounding out triple digit highway runs, clawing up impossible loose rock ridges and stealing the show at the local valet stand. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550 counts itself among that select crew, and it may very well be my favorite of the bunch. In many ways, this machine is a massive middle finger to automotive evolution. There have only been three iterations of the G-Class since Daimler first began building examples for the Shah of Iran in 1979, and the latest of those bowed in 1990. By and large, the exterior hasn't changed one ounce in the intervening 23 years and, as a result, the G550 is instantly recognizable. There's no calling this big box attractive in the classical sense, but for those of us who appreciate the subtle curve of a well-crafted wrench or the weight of a fine hammer in our hands, the G550 is beautifully utilitarian. This machine is a massive middle finger to automotive evolution. With a front track of just under 60 inches, the G-Wagen is nearly seven inches narrower wheel-to-wheel than its closest rival, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and nearly 10 inches narrower overall. That fact gives the G550 an incredibly vertical appearance that borders on the awkward, but it also means it can fit down tight trails that would be inaccessible to the wider Range Rover. Tall, flat fenders, a chrome brush guard and a steeply raked windscreen all harken back to the five-door's military past, but there are a few tricks onboard that hint to the notion that the G has softened a bit in its old age. Chrome running boards span from fender well to fender well, though the pieces are backed by some pretty hefty steel. They work quite well as rock rails in iffy situations. Yes, that's the voice of experience talking. Look just past those boards, and you'll spot a set of side exhaust pipes dumping just ahead of the rear wheel. At first glance, the bits look like they'll be the first to suffer contact with any belly-scraping rock or log, but the pipes survived our off-road excursion without suffering too much abuse. That's thanks largely to the G-Class' wheelbase. I'd be lying if I said I didn't spend five minutes just locking and unlocking …
Full Review
Gentleman General Purpose There's an ATV slowly idling through the underbrush to my passenger side. Its rider's eyes are glued to the metallic purple bread van consuming every last square inch of the trail: a cube of glittering lunacy resting blissfully in the dappled light of a Tennessee morning. "I ain't never seen a Mercedes up here before." No sir, I suppose you haven't. I've spent the past three hours snaking the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550 up and down the less-travelled trails of the Windrock OHV Recreation area, laughing maniacally as $118,355-worth of German engineering flexed, scrambled and burbled its way over the park's uncertain terrain. There are only a handful of vehicles in the world that can be equally at home pounding out triple digit highway runs, clawing up impossible loose rock ridges and stealing the show at the local valet stand. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550 counts itself among that select crew, and it may very well be my favorite of the bunch. In many ways, this machine is a massive middle finger to automotive evolution. There have only been three iterations of the G-Class since Daimler first began building examples for the Shah of Iran in 1979, and the latest of those bowed in 1990. By and large, the exterior hasn't changed one ounce in the intervening 23 years and, as a result, the G550 is instantly recognizable. There's no calling this big box attractive in the classical sense, but for those of us who appreciate the subtle curve of a well-crafted wrench or the weight of a fine hammer in our hands, the G550 is beautifully utilitarian. This machine is a massive middle finger to automotive evolution. With a front track of just under 60 inches, the G-Wagen is nearly seven inches narrower wheel-to-wheel than its closest rival, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and nearly 10 inches narrower overall. That fact gives the G550 an incredibly vertical appearance that borders on the awkward, but it also means it can fit down tight trails that would be inaccessible to the wider Range Rover. Tall, flat fenders, a chrome brush guard and a steeply raked windscreen all harken back to the five-door's military past, but there are a few tricks onboard that hint to the notion that the G has softened a bit in its old age. Chrome running boards span from fender well to fender well, though the pieces are backed by some pretty hefty steel. They work quite well as rock rails in iffy situations. Yes, that's the voice of experience talking. Look just past those boards, and you'll spot a set of side exhaust pipes dumping just ahead of the rear wheel. At first glance, the bits look like they'll be the first to suffer contact with any belly-scraping rock or log, but the pipes survived our off-road excursion without suffering too much abuse. That's thanks largely to the G-Class' wheelbase. I'd be lying if I said I didn't spend five minutes just locking and unlocking …
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Retail Price

$113,000 - $134,300 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 5.5L V-8
MPG Up to 12 city / 15 highway
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 7-spd w/OD
Power 388 - 544 hp
Drivetrain 4MATIC all wheel, all wheel
Curb Weight 5,578 - 5,622 lbs
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