Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x4² Revealed

Few manufacturers have the outright cheek to go the wacky route, to build things that defy convention - but Mercedes-Benz has been doing just that for a while now. Adding more and more outrageous engines to road ordinary cars and compact cabriolets. Other waves of audacity include what they’ve been doing with their Geländewagen (or G-Class as its now known): the G63 AMG, G63 AMG 6x6, and, now, the G500 4x4² - also referred to as the G-Class Squared.

These vehicles fill no particular need but nearly every illogical want, especially for those of the masculine persuasion. A huge hulking truck with the loudest, most powerful road car engines Mercedes-Benz can throw at it - it just screams confrontation. 

So what have we got, then, in this bright green monster? It appears this is Mercedes’ way of toning things down. Really. For those who felt that the 6x6 was brilliant but just a little too far on the scale of crazy, Mercedes has listened to you. The 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 from the AMG GT makes an appearance here, outputting 416 bhp and 611 Nm of torque to all four wheels through a revised version of Mercedes’ 7G-tronic automatic gearbox. There are three mechanical differential locks as well that can be engaged or disengaged while on the move. 

Despite being primarily aimed at tackling off-road terrain, the nearly three-tonne truck can sprint to 100 kph in just 6.5 seconds on the road with a top speed of around 137 mph (or 218 kph). 

On the outside, you get very pronounced bodywork to set you apart from the standard G500 on which its based. It gains wider tracks and a more robust chassis initially developed for the 6x6. The standard tires measure 37 inches and contain special two-piece 18-inch beadlock wheels. That combination allows the G500 4×4² a 450mm ground clearance, a fording depth of 1000 millimeters, and an incline departure angle of 54 degrees. 

Mercedes-Benz is planning a full unveil of the G500 4×4² at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and, like its 6x6 brethren, is expected to be available in limited numbers once it goes on sale later this year.