Mercedes-Benz will give its iconic SUV, the G-Class, an exhaustive facelift in 2011
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class
hasn’t quite received any remarkable upgrades for a long time but is
now set to set to undergo some exhaustive changes in the upcoming years.
The overhaul will be so major that Mercedes-Benz claims that it will pretty much be an all-new vehicle.
In an attempt to reduce weight, the new G-Class will go
through some major structural changes and will make extensive use of
weigh-saving materials. The current G350 BlueTec weighs nearly two and a
half tones and the Stuttgart-based manufacturer intends to reduce the
overall weight by nearly 200kg. The dimensions of the new G-Class will
also be different from the current generation model. While in most parts
the car will retain its traditional boxy design with the near-vertical
windshield, it will also get some its cues from the futuristic
Ener-G-Force concept that was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles motor
show.
The width will be increased in order to make room for a
new front suspension. This will also result in a considerable increase
in interior space that will be used up to accommodate the new wider
seats at the front as well as at the back. The dashboard too will get a
modern look and will have some bits and pieces borrowed from the new
C-Class. Needless to say, the technology levels will also be upped as
well.
Details of the engine specifications are still sketchy but
rumour has it that the new G-Class will host a 3.0-litre inline
six-cylinder petrol and diesel engine borrowed from the next-gen E-Class
and will be mated to the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox.
All said, the G-Wagon has remained one of the least
touched upon models in the Mercedes range. This will probably be its
first major overhaul in 35 years and while a lot of things surrounding
it might still be vague, Mercedes will surely try to retain its DNA.