New Mercedes SUV Has a Bizarre Name, Looks Awesome

BOLDRIDE

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Posted by Zach Doell

 

 

The Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 is a brutish thing: 540 horsepower, high-clearance portal axles, six wheels, and looks to kill. It’s not a truck for the faint of heart – in fact, it’s not a truck for many at all, since all 100 dune-bashers have sold out. 

Thankfully, Mercedes realizes that insane off-road pickup trucks and SUVs are a hot commodity, and it appears to be more than happy to give the world another, albeit a milder version in comparison to its late-great nine alarm fire.

It’s called the G500 4×4 Squared, and while Mercedes calls it a “near-series show car” rather than a future model, there’s little doubt that these SUVs are headed for production.




So when they potentially do get the green light, what will you get for your unspecified lump of money? Frankly, a lot. Mercedes is the first to say the G500 Squared is cut from the same cloth as the insane-O AMG 6×6. As such, it retains the AMG’s capable portal axle drivetrain, sans one axle.

The 6×6′s 5.5-liter engine has however been removed, but it has been replaced with a punchy twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that outputs a still heady 422 horsepower and meets all Euro 6 emissions standards for the immediate future…hmmm.

But being a better 6×6 is only half the equation, the 4×4 Squared looks to be far and away superior to the standard G-Wagen with which it shares is chassis. On-road, Mercedes says its wider track allows the G500 Squared to corner better than the standard car.

Off-road, it simply does everything better. It’s ground clearance rises by a staggering 9.5 inches, its approach angle increases by 16 degrees, and water fording depth nearly doubles to an impressive 3.25 feet.

There you have it – more sensible, economical, and practical than its predecessor, and better in the tough stuff than its standard G-Class brother. You could almost say it’s a car of the people…maybe. Stay tuned for more; Mercedes will debut the G500 4×4 Squared at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

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