NEW G-CLASS: Q3 2010 UK launch

[The Boss]

NEW G-CLASS: RHD SPECS AND PRICES

Mercedes-Benz confirms the G-Class's return to the UK

City slicker...
Mercedes-Benz has released prices and specs for the iconic G-Class, which as we revealed in January, is returning to the UK in right-hand-drive guise later this year. The G-Class celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and has sold 200,000 units, but it hasn't been made with RHD for the last decade. It will return to our roads in the autumn with a choice of diesel or supercharged petrol engines, when we reckon it will provide the new PistonHeads test fleet Defender with its only rival in terms of ultimate 'street cred', albeit at a significantly greater price.

Rural runabout...
Customers will be able to choose between the G 350 CDI which produces 221 hp and returns 25.7 mpg, and the range topping G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR, which produces 500 hp and reaches 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds, M-B says. Both the G 350 CDI and the G 55 AMG will feature a wealth of standard equipment including: Automatic climate control; automatic transmission, with high and low gear ratios; Bi-Xenon headlamps, heated seats with memory, leather upholstery (including the dashboard) as well as COMAND, a reverse parking aid and a Harman Kardon Logic 7 Sound system.

Or 'Gangsta'...
The G-Class range offers high-performance driving dynamics, says M-B, but also supreme off road ability. Electronic control systems ensure maximum traction, handling and stability on any terrain and the 100 per cent locking differentials, permanent all-wheel drive and off-road ratios prove their worth off the beaten track, making the G-Class world class in any off road conditions, they reckon. So what's it going to cost? Well the entry model will be the commercial G 300 CDI Professional, apparently designed for tough working conditions in hard-to-reach locations and costing from from £57,975 OTR. The G 350 CDI will be available from £79,975 and the G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR will cost £114,975 OTR.


The G-class does it all
The G 350 CDI and G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR will be exclusively available from the Specialist Products Division at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands as will the G 300 CDI Professional.

 

[JasM]

I suppose it's better late than never.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Id take one, but I would have to have the pre-08 grill though. this current one looks odd IMO

 

[Lugy]

£57k for a commercial one

Certainly not a cheap fix!

 

[Ted]

I want one, and I want one NOW!!

 

[Satch]

I want one, and I want one NOW!!

Bet that will not be on the options list

 

[grober]

A commercial vehicle designed in the 70's for 2010 S class money doesn't make any sort of financial sense to me.

 

[Mudster]

Base model Commercial "entry level" model at the same price as a loaded Range Rover.

Do these people look at other manufacturers price lists?

 

[corned]

I struggle to see any point to SUVs at the best of times, but I'm struggling more than normally with this one.

£115k for the G55? If you bought a RR Sport and Overfinched it, you'd have a better deal and still have change left to buy an E-Class coupé.

 

[A210AMG]

^ Love it, same could be said for a lot of cars. We should all drive second hand skoda's then ??


Love the G Class

 

[Apial]

When the G300 was about £27k the 300CE-24 was about £54k. That was 1991 of course. Now if a 2010 G-class is now £80k, then that would mean that if a 2010 300CE24 existed it would be £150k!

Priced for exclusivity not for value.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I reckon MB know this market pretty well. To manufacture the G-Wagen and turn a profit probably requires a price point that the average SUV purchaser would think excessive and therefore dismiss the vehicle immediately and as such it would never sell in any great volume at this point in it's lifecycle.

They also know that those people that want one - really want one - and that they're less sensitive to price than your average SUV buyer. Either because it's super exclusive, absolutely mental (in AMG guise), built to last, or because they have an irrational attraction to all things MB.

Of course businesses or other organisations might also value the G-Wagen for other reasons - maybe compatibility with existing fleet, over engineering, relatively crude nature, etc - and again might be prepared to pay a premium for it.

Either way, they'll sell the same amount at these crazy prices or for half that.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Only predict to sell 200 a year over here. You pay for the exclusivity

 

[corned]

Don't get me wrong: I know full well MB will have done their marketing homework to death and pitched it right where they want to pitch it. And if they can get the punters to part with a whole load of cash for the privilege then that's simply good business. Nothing wrong with that at all!

I'm all for people devising good fool/money splitting methods!!

 

[grober]

When the G300 was about £27k the 300CE-24 was about £54k. That was 1991 of course. Now if a 2010 G-class is now £80k, then that would mean that if a 2010 300CE24 existed it would be £150k!

Priced for exclusivity not for value.

I would do the sum a different way.. The G 300 was about 1/2 the price of Mercedes top of the line mid size coupe of the day in 1991 . An equivalent model of today might be the current E class 500 coupe at £50,935.00 which would price the entry level G class at £25,000. Given they have tarted up the interior a bit make that £30-32 K This would be a realistic price of such a vehicle IMHO.

My bet - its looney tunes price structure reflects the market its aimed at- the Middle East.

 

[6pot]

Is this the small 4x4 they are talking about?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

No this is a great big old fashioned 4x4, believe it or not.

Doesn't stop people drooling after them though - me included.

 

[grober]

Is this the small 4x4 they are talking about?

You are thinking of the GLK [ based on the Class chassis]which is still not marketed in the UK despite lots of rumours to the contrary. Very different type of vehicle!

 

[pingping]

but its ugly lol

 

[6pot]

Ok it might be the GLK but ive heard rumours of a new baby 4x4 and something to go up against BMW 1 series from MB......