It's all in the G-Family
Mercedes-Benz wants to be number 1. The number 1 automotive brand, the number 1 luxury brand and numero uno when it comes to luxury and technology. To accomplish this they have set five product pillars in place to ensure that they can cover the spread of vehicles currently available and ensure that they are the best in each one.
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AMG is the pillar dedicated to performance, Mercedes Maybach is for professional luxury, Mercedes-Benz for everyday living, EQ covers technology, and then we get to G. The G series is all about adventure and rugged luxury, that is where our story picks up.
We were invited to the AMG Driving Academy at Zwartkops in the west of Pretoria to sample a line up of the recent developments from the G series, covering the gamut of their offerings.
GLA 200 Edition 1
The GLA is the entry point into the G family. It is more of a crossover than an SUV, being heavily street biased with touches that point to an adventurous lifestyle. The Edition 1 is powered by an inline 4 cylinder petrol engine, mated to a 7 speed DCT transmission this delivers 120kW and 250Nm and you can expect fuel economy in the 6l/100km range. What makes this one special is the trimmings.
You get red paint trimmings on the body and wheels and a special interior package that features the Edition 1 badging. The drive is comfortable and compliant while power delivery is more than sufficient to get things done.
The Edition 1 starts at R 812 740, a great starting point for the G series.
GLB 220d
The GLB is the midpoint when it comes to the series. This vehicle has a definite street bias but has styling cues and off-road credentials that will allow users to live an active lifestyle outdoors. The GLB was our pick of the day, representing the best mix of what Mercedes-Benz offers.
The GLB is slightly larger that the standard B class meaning that they can now offer 7 seats. The GLB is ushered along by a 2l 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to an 8G-DCT transmission, delivering 140kW and 400Nm. The GLB is not only capable of a 217km/h top speed but with the 4Matic system, can tackle some rather technical terrain.
Muddy inclines and declines, rocky trails and extreme ruts are easily handled by the GLB meaning that this is going to be the perfect companion for those that enjoy an active lifestyle, and with a 1085l boot (seats down) there's even place for your mountain bikes!
The GLB 220d, in standard form, starts at R 846 880 and is sure to raise a few eyebrows.
GLC 63s Coupe
The GLC 63s is a bit of a head scratcher. It is placed into the SUV category due to its name and styling cues but the coupe design and sheer brute power negate its use off-road. You won't be taking this one to your local 4x4 trail, rather, it can be used to scare old ladies at your local mall parking lot.
The 63 rumbles along powered by a 4l V8 bi-turbo petrol engine. Power figures hover at 375kW and 700Nm! This ensured that the GLC 63 was without doubt the fastest and rowdiest on the day but as can be expected, was only able to be used on the dynamic handling and skidpan sections. Even so, the 63 was quite a leery drive, proving to be quite a handful for those not experienced with the power delivery. In the absence of the 4Matic system, even those of us well versed in AMG power delivery found ourselves obliterating cones on the skidpan.
The GLC 63s is not for the faint of heart and I can't say that I am sold on the Coupe styling but I have no doubt that the R 2 140 480 starting price will not deter those that want to try to tame this beast.
GLE 400d 4Matic Coupe
The GLE is the sweet spot when it comes to balancing power, luxury and capability. The GLE has all the space and features you would expect from a luxury SUV as well as the power and capability you would need to access the wilds of South Africa.
Admittedly, I am yet to be convinced by the coupe styling but that is just my opinion. The fact that these coupe styled SUV's move in numbers shows that consumers like them. The GLE is powered by a 3l inline 6 cylinder diesel that punches out 243kW and 700Nm through an 9G-Tronic transmission and wafts along on an AIRMATIC suspension that truly feels like driving on a cloud. The GLE is loaded with all the latest technology such as MBUX infotainment as well as driver aids and safety equipment.
Styling aside, the GLE has an impeccable drive and a character that justifies the R 1 827 880 price tag.
GLS 580 4Matic
The GLS represents opulence at its best. Absolute luxury with technology and power to boot. It's hard to imagine anyone taking this pleasure cruiser for a romp through the bush yet it is fully capable of doing just that. More suited to a high-end Sandton high rise than a dusty trail, the GLS is the epitome of " if you wanted too, you can"
The GLS takes the next step in by integrating EQ into the engine. The GLS is fitted with a 4l V8 petrol engine that produces 360kW and 700Nm and can increase this by 250Nm and 16kW when it receives a 48v boost from the hybrid system. This makes what would usually be a rather thirsty engine quite manageable with claimed figures starting at 7.9l/100km.
This all does come at a price though and the GLS 580 4Matic starts at R 2 025 000.
G 400d 4Matic
This is the one that started it all. With 41 years under its belt, the G wagon is Mercedes truest form of adventure. Make no mistake, the wagon is quite luxurious but has a much heavier bias towards off-road, This particular model is their latest offering and is peppered with the special edition trimmings.
The G 400d "Stronger than Time" model comes with flared wheel arches over black 20" AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, AMG design elements in the bumpers and an exterior protective strip, brake calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering. The Night Package comes as standard and gives the model darkened lights as well as outside mirrors, a spare wheel ring and design elements in the bumpers in obsidian black and tinted rear windows.
A 3l inline 6-cylinder diesel sits under the bonnet, pushing out 243kW and 700Nm. This all goes through the 9G-Tromic transmission and propels the G 400 to a top speed of 210km/h while keeping the fuel consumption to around 9.6l/100km. My one big complaint about the G wagon was always around the braking, or lack thereof and i can happily report that this has in fact been seen to as our lane change exercise showed.
The G 400d rings the cash register at R 2 892 840, and we can honestly say that it is worth every penny
Verdict:
It is good to see that Mercedes-Benz has organised its offerings into an easy to understand line up. If you find yourself at one of these points in your life and feel the need for a three pointed star, we highly advise checking out the G family and seeing which one would be right for yours.
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