You get it otherwise you don’t. It’s simply that easy. I can’t consider one other car with such polarizing reactions because the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G Wagen in case you desire. And none are as G Wageny as this, the Skilled Version. Whereas different Gs get all dolled up in massive wheels and luxurious Designo interiors that take them distant from their go-anywhere roots, the Skilled Version goes the wrong way. It’s unclear which occupation it’s truly satisfying, but when “person who actually goes off-road” is a job, then the Mercedes-Benz G 550 Skilled Version is the G for them.
Somewhat than a definite mannequin or trim stage, the Skilled Version is a $23,250 package deal. Lots of its included components might be had on any G 550, together with gloss-black finishings for the grille, Benz star, brush guard and mirror housings, in addition to 18-inch matte black wheels sporting all-terrain tires. Distinctive are the flush aspect sills instead of the standard operating boards, the Skilled Line spare wheel holder than can swing out separate from the tailgate, a wooden cargo ground, and essentially the most conspicuous aspect, the Skilled roof rack/platform accessed by an also-added ladder.
As ordinary, the G Wagen is lots, and this specific one is much more. As such, I had extra ideas than ordinary …
1. Why is there a patio on the roof?
The Skilled Roof Rack consists of aluminum plates secured at a number of factors to the roof. In response to the proprietor’s handbook, “the weight of luggage on the roof including the roof luggage rack must not exceed the maximum permissible roof load.” That may be 330.7 kilos. The “roof luggage rack” weighs 132.3 kilos, ergo, you may put 198.4 kilos on the Professional’s roof rack. Notice that each G Wagen has the identical most permissible roof load, so relying in your gear, it does appear to be you may put extra on the roof in case you didn’t have 132.3 kilos of aluminum patio up there.
The proprietor’s handbook additionally signifies how a lot weight you may place on any single plate: 110 kilos for many and 55 for the smallest one adjoining to the opening left for the antenna.
Definitely, although, this roof rack is extra about how and what you may carry versus how a lot it weighs. There are extra tie-down factors and clearly a ton extra floor space than two roof bars or a basket can present.
2. Neglect the patio, what a couple of tent?
The proprietor’s handbook particularly calls out a rooftop tent as a use case for the Professional’s roof rack. For that objective, it signifies that you may double the utmost permissible roof load whereas the G is stationary. That may be 661.4 kilos, which is unquestionably on the excessive aspect, however a Subaru Forester Wilderness can help 800. Each different Forester is sweet for 700, though neither can handle as a lot in movement because the G. The one cause I point out that’s as a result of the Subaru Forester is the one different car I’ve come throughout the place roof load was prominently mentioned. Then once more, the Skilled Version is to the G 550 what the Wilderness is to the Forester.
Thus concludes the one time you’ll learn a G Wagen in comparison with a Subaru Forester.
3. Tiny ladder, tiny sneakers
To rise up to the roof rack, be it tented or in any other case, you’re going to wish tiny ft to make the most of every rung. In fact, I doubt you’ll want every rung until you’re a 3-year-old boy, during which case, you’ll have the tiny ft crucial. See photograph above to find why I do know this.
Reaching the ladder is definitely the more durable half, because the grippy bit on the bumper adjoining to the swing gate isn’t in step with the ladder. The plastic bumper that is in step with the ladder doesn’t precisely scream “sturdy!”
The ladder’s max load is 220.5 kilos, by the best way.
4. The roof rack ruins the sunroof
I’m guessing it could’ve been impractical from a producing standpoint to delete the sunroof, however that is the view from inside wanting up by means of the sunroof.
5. The roof rack is loud!
Need one more reason to skip the roof rack and subsequently the Skilled Version? It’s actually loud. The quantity of wind noise is much higher than I used to be anticipating, particularly at freeway speeds. Come to think about it, that is most likely essentially the most wind noise I’ve skilled in a brand new automobile that had a metallic roof in place.
6. Closing the doorways is loud!
And it’s superior! Clack. Clack. How can one thing so simple as opening and shutting a door latch be so satisfying? I don’t know, however the one factor higher than opening and shutting the 4 doorways is opening and shutting the financial institution vault swing gate. CLACK!!!
7. There are little G’s within the door handles (claps fingers, guffawing)
How lovable are these?!? There’s a bit of G embossed in every door-opening button … however not within the swing gate one. No matter. A lot in regards to the G’s attraction are the main points, and these are considered one of them.
8. There’s a draw back to the clack
For no matter cause, the heavy-duty door locks of the G Wagen (and the little G buttons!) preclude it from working in live performance with a proximity entry system, which means you must use the important thing fob to lock and unlock the doorways like some sort of peasant. Oh effectively. Value it!
9. The flip sign gentle pods are simply the most effective
One other must-have G Wagen quirk inherited from the unique are these little pods atop the flat-as-a-pancake entrance fenders that gentle up of their entirety, providing you with the uncommon alternative to see your flip alerts blinking from inside. By no means will get previous.
10. How is a wooden trunk ground ‘Skilled’?
The Skilled Version’s solely added inside aspect is the wooden cargo ground. I don’t get it. It seems to be snazzy, however it looks like one thing that will be within the boot of a Rolls-Royce Spectre, not a “Professional” SUV meant to hold 198.4 kilos on the roof. These beautiful wooden planks are positively going to be scratched.
Now, I do just like the grippy rubber bumper strips that maintain issues from sliding across the hardwood ground they’ve put within the cargo space. This wouldn’t be a horrible concept in autos with carpet within the again.
Learn my G 550 Skilled Version baggage take a look at right here
11. The G Wagen could be very tall …
As massive because the G Wagen appears, that notion is solely pushed by its towering peak, made even taller with the Skilled’s rooftop patio. Its width and size, nonetheless, are moderately modest by fashionable SUV requirements. That meant it match neatly in my driveway and in parking spots. It additionally boasts wonderful visibility in all instructions.
12. … However not truly that massive
The bizarre dimensions additionally imply that inside house is missing. Whereas my legs aren’t squished as they had been within the authentic G, I might nonetheless use a bit extra driver seat journey (I’m 6-foot-3). In fact, if there was, the driving force seat would most likely be grazing the again seat.
That brings me to the again seat, which simply doesn’t have a lot legroom. Sure, the high-mounted seats improve the possibilities of being comfy, however you’ll nonetheless end up sitting nearer to the entrance seats than you’d anticipate.
13. Wow was the last-generation Mercedes COMAND system dangerous
The G-Class doesn’t appear that previous as a result of its predecessor originated within the Nineteen Seventies. Nonetheless, I attended its first drive all the best way again in 2018, which once more doesn’t sound like that way back, however was the truth is six years in the past. By typical automobile lifespan requirements, there needs to be a brand new G-Class subsequent 12 months. Ha! Fats probability.
Not surprisingly, then, the G-Class is behind by way of in-car tech. The display could also be giant at 12.3 inches, however it’s not operating any model of MBUX. As a substitute, it runs the ultimate model of COMAND that fairly frankly wasn’t excellent. One thing even older would’ve been higher. The shiny black contact pad that allows you to swipe round to regulate issues on the touchscreen was by no means a very good interface (as proof, it didn’t final lengthy and didn’t encourage copycats), and it bought in the best way of utilizing the rotary knob inherited from earlier, superior variations of COMAND. The menus are additionally convoluted for doing difficult and easy duties alike. My mom’s 2016 GLC successfully has this infotainment system and he or she nonetheless has no concept the way it works.
MBUX has had its usability points, however it’s higher than this.
14. OK, so the gauges are fairly snazzy
These gauges are additionally last-gen, however you’re not likely lacking something there. Maybe it could be good if Mercedes provided some form of throwback design like the brand new Mustang’s Fox Physique gauges, however … truly, no, Mercedes wants to try this instantly.
15. My son is peeved by the ambient lighting choice
As I documented in my ideas in regards to the S 550e, my son’s most-asked-for inside characteristic is multi-color ambient lighting. I don’t know who Mercedes thought needed 64 decisions of ambient lighting plus a dozen or so animated shade combos, however toddlers assume it’s the shit.
So talking of last-generation infotainment programs, the G-Class subsequently doesn’t have the total superb technicolor gentle present obtainable to entertain tiny children barking orders from the again. There are ambient lighting choices, as you may see under with my purple choice, however there are considerably fewer colours from which to decide on, fewer ambient lighting components to showcase them, and so they appear dimmer.
Oh the humanity.
16. I might stay with a much less highly effective model
On the first drive launch after I drove the G 550 and G 63 again to again, I got here away considering the AMG was worse.
“The AMG just doesn’t feel right on road,” wrote me. “It’s hard to complain about extra power, but it’s unnecessary, and the AMG’s firmer ride and stiffer steering actually make the G worse to drive — the standard 22-inch wheels definitely don’t help. It’s conflicted, frankly a bit silly (the new red exterior accents really drive that point home), and it’s still so tall, tippy and heavy to realistically appreciate any semblance of a handling advantage.”
Sure, the AMG is theoretically faster (4.4 seconds to 60 versus 5.8), however the G 550 has 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. It feels extraordinarily fast. Too fast. Which will simply be a matter of notion ensuing from sitting two tales up in a slim field on wheels, however it’s the notion however.
A model with Benz’s candy inline-six can be completely acceptable.
17. The aspect pipes are subtly cool
The AMG model might have pipes that stick out the aspect and hamper off-roading, however that doesn’t imply the G 550’s exhaust pokes out the again. Nope, they finish in step with the rear doorways, too. They simply don’t stick out. They’re refined. That’s cool.
In fact, many of the G Wagen is cool exactly as a result of it’s NOT refined, however no matter.
18. The steering is shockingly good
The steering within the final G Wagen was shockingly dangerous. A part of the attraction maybe, however “agricultural” is never a very good adjective when describing car dynamics. Against this, the brand new steering isn’t simply shockingly good given a low bar set by a predecessor, however good, interval. It’s sluggish, certain, however it’s additionally exact, appropriately weighted and there’s some really feel current. It made operating up and down a decent, twisting mountain street surprisingly satisfying regardless of the heave-ho physique motions.
19. Least-pressed buttons ever
Most off-roaders as of late have a knob or button that means that you can cycle by means of varied off-road driving modes. See some cactus and sand out the windshield? Choose the driving mode displaying a cactus and a few sand. A bunch of rocks? Rock mode, please. That is meant to make it simpler for individuals to get into off-roading, or at the very least efficiently off-road.
The G Wagen nonetheless does it old style. Certain, there’s a button wanted to have interaction 4Lo moderately than a shifter in a boot linked to a switch case, however you continue to should know to have interaction it within the first place. Then there are the three buttons, positioned dead-center in the midst of the sprint for all to see, that have interaction the entrance, heart and rear locking differentials. It’s rad that they’re there, and even when completely vestigial for the overwhelming majority of homeowners, it speaks to the G’s heritage and very-real functionality.
That stated, these should be the least-pressed prominently positioned buttons ever.
Good grief, I’ve crossed 2,000 phrases. I might most likely go on – the G Wagen yields numerous ideas – however it’s most likely greatest to go away it there for now. I’m certain I’ll have just a few extra pop up the subsequent time I drive a G Wagen. The electrical one, perhaps? (Rubs fingers collectively)