Worldwide famous company Mercedes-Benz dates back to the distant 19th century. The three-pointed star, which has been the company’s logo since 1909, is for many car enthusiasts not only a symbol of the trinity of the driver, passenger and mechanic, but also a guarantee of the quality of the equipment. The number of models and series of cars that came off the assembly lines of this concern is very difficult to count. Many of them have earned the respect and love of consumers. One of the fairly popular series is the Mercedes Gelendvagen.

Mercedes Gelandewagen

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class series (G is the abbreviation for Gelendvagen), dates back to 1979, and is still relevant among car enthusiasts to this day.

The first car in the name with the letter “G” came off the assembly lines of Mercedes-Benz back in 1929, but it had nothing to do with the Gelendvagen series. Officially, the development of this series of cars began in 1972 by the company Gelaendefahrzeug Gesellschaft GmbH, in which Mercedes-Benz and the Austrian manufacturer Steyr-Daimler-Puch GmbH had equal shares.

The G-Class 460 series was shown to the general public at the Paul Ricard circuit, which is located in the south of France. First the lineup"Gelendvagen" was represented by cars in five body styles (2 van options, open body, 5 and 3 door station wagons), which were equipped with 4 engine options (2 gasoline - 230 G and 280 GE, and 2 diesel - 240 GD and 300 GD). All models were equipped with switchable front-wheel drive and a 4-speed manual transmission.

Despite quite high cost G series cars, they very quickly found their buyers. G-Class SUVs were in demand both among off-road driving enthusiasts and among law enforcement agencies. The military Gelendvagen was practically no different from civilian version, except that station wagon bodies for both the 2.4 and 2.85 m bases were equipped with a canvas awning.

Between 1980 and 1981, about 14,000 vehicles were put into mass production. The demand for the 460 series Mercedes-Benz G-Class is confirmed by the fact that it was produced with periodic modifications and upgrades until 1991.

The year 1989 was marked for Gelendvagen fans with a presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show new series 463. Its mass production began in 1990 and in the same year more than 12,000 SUVs rolled off the production lines of the enterprise.

Your 100,000th G-Class car Mercedes-Benz concern released in 1992.

The Gelendvagen generation number 463 has gone through many restylings and updates, but has retained its easily recognizable appearance and excellent maneuverability.

Since the beginning of 1994 this model offered to consumers under named Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Since 1997, the car received new line engines, and its interior and exterior were also updated.

The owners of the G-Class are many famous politicians, actors and famous public figures. A special version of the Gelendvagen car was presented to Pope John Paul II and has been almost official car Vatican.

The achievements of the Gelendvagen also include the victory of an almost production SUV, which competed with minor modifications at the Paris-Dakar rally. But what kind of production can we talk about if in more than 30 years a little more than 200 thousand cars rolled off the assembly line? Basic operations for assembling these models are still performed manually.

Although many car owners have a very ambiguous attitude towards this Mercedes-Benz model, the very fact of its more than 30-year history of production confirms the car’s demand.

Military Gelendvagen

At the beginning of 1972, Daimler-Benz, together with its Austrian partners, began developing the N-2 military SUV. The impetus for the development of the project was the order of 20,000 SUVs by the Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. But due to objective reasons(revolution in Iran) at the time of the creation of the Mercedes G-class (W460) in 1979, this order became irrelevant. The company began mass production without having a single valid contract for their supply from the military.

The Bundeswehr Army highly appreciated the quality of military Gelendwagens, but given their significant cost, vehicle purchases were very sluggish at first. But as you know, a quality item always becomes in demand already in the 80s years Mercedes The G-klasse entered service with the armies of Greece, Holland, Switzerland and Norway. Some countries, having purchased a license to produce vehicles, began their mass production for their armed forces. So in the French army, the Peugeot P4 became an analogue of the Gelendvagen, which differed from the original only in the French engine and the shape of the headlights.

Even the US armed forces appreciated the merits of this model and purchased it for some mobile units. The main reason for this action was the fact that this car, unlike American Hummer H1 easily fits into a helicopter, and in terms of its driving performance it is in no way inferior to it.

Mercedes benz gelandewagen The W461 is currently in service in more than 20 countries. It is produced specifically for law enforcement agencies and sold individuals strictly regulated. To purchase this model, you need an “end-user certificate”, which confirms the need for its use in conditions where conventional SUVs cannot provide reliable transportation people and cargo.

The main differences between the military model W461 and the civilian W463 are the reinforced front part of the car (bumper, grille, headlights) and the absence of luxury items in the cabin.

In terms of cross-country ability and internal filling military version The Gelendvagen is in no way superior to the publicly available civilian model.

Gelendvagen Brabus

The famous tuning company Brabus did not ignore the 6-wheel Gelendvagen. After modernization, the Brabus B63S 700 Gelendvagen 6x6 has significantly increased its power. The 5.5 liter petrol biturbo engine has become more powerful by 156 hp. (total 700). With such a unit, the 4-ton Gelendvagen accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds. Maximum speed The Gelendvagen Brabus is limited to 160 km/h, which is quite decent for a three-axle SUV.

SUV ground clearance, 37 inch wheels with automatic pressure regulation, lockable differentials and 7 stepped automatic transmission remained unchanged.

The company produces about 20-30 pickup trucks per year. Approximately in Russia, this car without modifications costs 24-25 million rubles.

Gelandewagen 2013

After repeated statements Mercedes-Benz about the discontinuation of the G-klasse series, the new 2013 model came as a pleasant surprise for Gelendvagen fans.

In the updated version, both the interior and exterior have been changed. The cars received more powerful engines, as well as significant improvements in driver and passenger safety.

It is difficult for motorists who are not Gelendvagen fans to see any significant changes in appearance. But admirers of this model appreciated the LED headlights, new rear-view mirrors and a new radiator grille. The SUV's bumpers also underwent minor modernization, which generally had a positive effect on the updated design.

The interior of the car has acquired a modern touch. Color display, modern instrument panel with color display, multifunction steering wheel and COMAND system with Internet access.

The security system of the new Gelendvagen is also at a high level. A rigid frame, electronically controlled differentials, adaptive DISTRONIC PLUS, parking sensors, blind spot monitoring and a rear view camera are all included as standard.

Technical characteristics of Gelendvagen 2013

The choice of power for a new SUV depends on the wishes of the owner. The most modest version- G350 BlueTEC with a three-liter V6 diesel unit. The fuel consumption of a Gelendvagen with such an engine is only 11.2 liters per 100 km. For lovers of more powerful units, there is a choice between the G65 - a six-liter 12-cylinder twin-turbo unit and the G63 - an 8-cylinder engine. cylinder engine volume 5.4 liters. Drivers of such cars should not pay attention to fuel consumption per 100 km. After all, a 12-cylinder unit with a power of 612 hp. with the speed limit removed, it can give even the most fast SUV Jeep SRT8 and allows you to reach a speed of 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. All models are equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Dimensions of Gelendvagen

The length is 4662 mm, width 1760 mm, height 1931 mm, wheelbase– 2850 mm.

Vehicle clearance 210 mm. The weight of the Gelendvagen is over 2500 kg.
Considering that the Gelendvagen is an SUV, its ability to overcome obstacles differs significantly from most SUVs, and from its classmates too. The Gelendvagen's ability to pass through water obstacles about 65 centimeters deep deserves respect. Also, this model can easily move along a slope with a steepness of about 80% and a lateral slope of up to 54%. Such records for overcoming off-road conditions are currently only achieved by a few cars.

The 2013 model fully lives up to its name - “SUV”.

Gelendvagen cost

Considering the popularity of the SUV and trademark manufacturer, it cannot be cheap. The cost of the new Gelendvagen “in luxury configuration” on the Russian market reaches 15 million rubles. But mainly the cost is affected by its configuration. Basic options configurations range from 4 to 7 million rubles. Also, when purchasing this car, you can pay attention to secondary market. For an amount of up to 3 million rubles, you can buy a fairly decent car there, which will faithfully serve for many years. The main thing when buying a used car is to thoroughly test it. There are many Moscow car services that carry out testing Mercedes-Benz G-Class That is, with their further placement for service. Full inspection of the body, frame, all components and electronic diagnostics equipment will cost about 3,000 rubles, which, given the cost of the car at several million, will not affect costs at all, but will give a qualitative assessment of the purchase.

Service Gelandewagen

Most owners of cars of this class such as Gelendvagen have long abandoned servicing in artisanal conditions. The costs that you have to bear from poor quality service significantly exceed the funds that are saved. According to reviews from car owners, cars that are serviced in specialized centers travel over 500,000 kilometers without problems. So the point is in quality service.

Service centers provide a guarantee for all the work they carry out, and in cases of malfunctions due to their fault, they are repaired free of charge.

For owners of "Geliks" the phrase "Neither a nail nor a rod" is not very relevant, since both are very rare off-road, but still success.

In 1990, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented the “463rd” G-Class series to the public - the car became better in all respects, from appearance to a wealth of equipment. Exactly at this body The SUV is still on the market, however, numerous updates carried out over all these years have helped it achieve such longevity.

The 63rd Gelendevagen experienced its first significant restyling in 1997 - cosmetic changes appeared in appearance, the range of modifications was replenished with a body with convertible, and new power units were registered under the hood.

The next stages of improvements took place in 2005 and 2006, but did not bring any significant changes, and annual updates from 2007 to 2009 concerned mainly the equipment of the SUV.

Another noticeable modernization overtook the “G-Class” in 2012 - the “German” was given visible changes in appearance and completely new interior, which has improved in every detail, and the power plants have become more powerful and more economical.

And finally, the most recent update occurred with the SUV in 2015, which resulted in adjustments to the exterior design, a number of technical improvements and new functionality.

In Gelandewagen's appearance one can immediately see the military bearing, and in the background modern crossovers and SUVs, it looks somewhat alien and outdated, but this is precisely the uniqueness of the “German”.
Despite all the squareness and roughness of its shape, the car is not without charm and elegance, for which it is in demand not only among men, but also among the fair sex. At the same time, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class also has a number of modern attributes - projector-type bi-xenon headlights, LED eyeliners. running lights, small but embossed bumpers and beautiful wheel rims.

The length of the SUV along the outer perimeter does not exceed 4662 mm, taking into account the spare wheel suspended on the tailgate, the width is 1760 mm (2055 mm with side mirrors), and the height is 1951 mm. The front axle is removed from the rear axle at a distance of 2850 mm, and the minimum clearance under the bottom (under fuel tank) is set at 205 mm.

The interior of the Gelendvagen is devoid of rough and chopped lines, and its design is made in the spirit latest models brands. The stylish multifunction steering wheel with a four-spoke design hides behind it a modern instrument panel with two oval wells and a TFT display trip computer between them.

The center of the multimedia system is a large widescreen “TV” placed at the very top of the front panel, under which there is a massive central panel, visually overloaded with control elements - audio system and climate control panels, as well as many auxiliary buttons.

In interior decoration German SUV Luxurious and expensive finishing materials were used - 11 types of premium leather, carbon fiber, 3 types of wood. The level of assembly fully corresponds to the premium orientation of the “G-class”, practically not lagging behind in quality passenger models brand.

The front seats in this Mercedes-Benz SUV are equipped with well-profiled seats with well-developed support on the sides, wide ranges settings and the necessary benefits of civilization (heating, electrical adjustments, memory), but too hard a filler. There is more than enough space on the rear seat for three adult passengers, which is facilitated by the proportions of the car, in particular the high roof and solid wheelbase.

With five crew on board, luggage compartment, having the correct configuration, is designed to transport 480 liters of luggage. The second row of seats is transformed in a 2/3 proportion, bringing the amount of usable space to an impressive 2250 liters, but it is impossible to get a flat surface.

Specifications. In the vastness of Russia, the Gelendvagen W463 is offered in one diesel and three petrol versions: “regular” SUVs are equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission, and the AMG version is equipped with a sports version AMG gearbox SPEEDSHIFT 7G-Tronic with steering wheel paddle shifters. Permanent drive on all wheels 4MOTION with synchronized transfer case, reduction gear, electronic technology 4ETS torque distribution and three differential locks suit everyone without exception (the traction is divided between the wheels “fraternally”).

• Under the hood base Mercedes-Benz The G350 BlueTEC is equipped with a 3.0-liter (2987 cubic centimeters) turbocharged V-shaped six. It develops maximum 211 Horse power power at 3400 rpm and 540 Nm of thrust in the range from 1600 to 2400 rpm, as a result of which the heavy SUV is able to reach 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and 175 km/h at maximum speed. Fuel consumption – 11.2 liters in mixed driving mode.
• The next version in the hierarchy is the petrol G500, which includes a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 unit generating 388 “horses” at 6000 rpm and 530 Nm of peak thrust at 2800–4800 rpm. After 6.1 seconds, such a “Gelandewagen” leaves the first hundred behind, the limit of its capabilities is limited to 210 km/h, and after every 100 km in a combined rhythm, an average of 14.9 liters of gasoline is consumed.
• The “charged” version of the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG is equipped with a 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 gasoline engine, which produces 544 horsepower output at 5500 rpm and an impressive 760 Nm of thrust generated in the range from 2000 to 5000 rpm. minute. Such an all-terrain vehicle “shoots” from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.4 seconds, and its available speed is fixed by the “collar” at 210 km/h. In mixed mode, such a “Gelik” processes 13.8 liters of fuel over 100 km of travel.
• The “formidable” G65 AMG settled at the very top, key feature which is the presence of a 6.0-liter AMG V12 biturbo engine, with a herd of 612 “mares” at 4300–5600 rpm and a nominal thrust of 1000 Nm in the range from 2300 to 4300 rpm. The Gelendvagen reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.3 seconds, stopping speed at 230 km/h and consuming an average of 17 liters of high-octane gasoline.

After the “extreme” update, which took place in May 2015, the car’s power range has undergone a noticeable modernization:

• First of all, the 2015 Gelik received a 4.0-liter bi-turbo engine that produces 422 horsepower and 610 Nm of thrust and provides acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
• The G350 BlueTEC modification has become noticeably more productive, because its power has increased from 211 to 245 horsepower, and its torque has increased from 540 to 600 Nm, as a result of which acceleration to the first hundred has been reduced to 8.9 seconds.
• The potential of the AMG versions of the SUV has also increased - up to 571 horsepower for the G63 AMG and up to 630 horsepower for the G65 AMG.

For more than 35 years of history, the conservative design of the “G-Class” has not undergone any changes - a powerful ladder-type frame at the base with a dependent spring suspension on longitudinally placed arms and a Panhard rod “in a circle”.
The steering mechanism of the SUV is made of the “screw - ball nut"and is supplemented with a hydraulic booster.
The G350 BlueTEC and G500 versions feature ventilated disc and disc brakes on the front and rear wheels respectively, and on the G63 AMG and G65 AMG - perforated wheels with all-round ventilation.

Options and prices. On the market Russia Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen in 2015 is offered at a price of 5,400,000 rubles for the diesel G350 BlueTEC and from 6,900,000 rubles for the gasoline G500.
By default, the car “flaunts” power steering, leather interior trim, multi-steering wheel, full power accessories, heated front seats, premium audio system, bi-xenon front optics, multimedia complex, climate control and a host of modern electronic assistants.
For the “charged Mercedes” G63 AMG and G65 AMG, they respectively ask for 9,700,000 and 17,500,000 rubles. The special features of such SUVs are the start/stop function, AMG body styling, sports exhaust system, 20-inch wheel rims, heated both rows of seats, powerful brake system and a wide range of other modern equipment.

"Gelika" can be called a real German veteran: it has been produced since 1979. However, this car, apparently, is not going to fall into oblivion. The demand for it does not differ in enchanting indicators, but it always remains stable. Our compatriots believe that the reason for this is the generally accepted admiration German auto industry, the real durability of the Mercedes, as well as its unchanged appearance. Indeed, the quality of the car is beyond doubt, and the design remains the same from generation to generation, although the Mercedes Gelendvagen, of course, periodically undergoes some modernization.

By the way, another reason for the spread of this car among us, many drivers cite its traditional identification with representatives of the “dashing 90s,” when a heavily tinted black “suitcase” stopping in front of you foreshadowed serious troubles. In general, the history of the operation of this Mercedes in Russia is quite rich, so it’s time to get acquainted with the personal opinions of its owners.

Brutal

Appearance Mercedes Benz Gelendvagen is very simply described by some nicknames that the car acquired during its entire residence in Russia: it is both a “cube” and a “refrigerator”. Indeed, the car has rough, rectangular features. As the owners say, it is this appearance that, firstly, attracts the most, and secondly, it best matches the essence of an SUV. He is powerful, brutal and serious. Over all the years of production, the Germans have not made many changes to the body:

• Of course, the most serious change was the appearance of a hard roof (and at first the Gelik had a folding soft top) and the lengthening of the base. But these changes were associated with the transition from a military police car to a civilian car;
• optics were periodically modernized, especially for restylings in recent years;
• and since 1981, a model with a protective grille on the headlights appeared.

Perhaps there is no point in examining the appearance of the car in detail, since everyone knows it, and our drivers did not identify any features. Let's take a better look inside.

According to the owners, the car interior, especially when it comes to the most expensive trim levels, truly royal. What is positive about the interior?

• First of all, very high quality finishing. Since plastic is present in the cabin in minimal quantities, the manufacturer did not skimp on the best option. Over the years of operation, no one has complained about creaks, rattles, or other noises from individual elements of the exterior;
• It is also convenient, according to motorists, that after opening the door the steering wheel automatically lifts, which was done specifically to make it easier for the driver to get in. Exactly the same combination occurs after removing the key from the ignition for convenient exit from the car;
• Owners speak positively about the factory music system, which can give true pleasure with clear, soft sound.

But the Gelika’s interior also has some disadvantages:

• First of all, we are talking about sound insulation. Classically it is made in the best traditions of the German automaker. However, all its properties are negated by the shape of the body and, as a consequence, low aerodynamic qualities. Experienced drivers they say that cars before 2000-2002 were generally very noisy when driving over 100 km/h. If the Gelendvagen is new, then there is an additional seal in the interior, which somewhat reduced the noise, but it was not possible to completely get rid of it;
• There is also a definite issue with visibility. If we talk about the front part of the car, then everything is fine here: some compare the quality of visibility with classic Lada cars according to the principle “where the hood ends, the car ends there.” The only nuance that car owners warn about is related to rear visibility. The fact is that backdoor It has very wide pillars, and part of the view is covered by the spare tire. In addition to this, drivers say that the interior rearview mirror is too small for such a car. Great help in this situation side mirrors, as well as rear view cameras, installed as an option or in the standard package of the AMG versions.

That's all the features of the Mercedes interior. As you can see, the interior has minor flaws, but they are forgotten about immediately after they find themselves inside. Judge for yourself: the basic equipment already includes high-quality seat upholstery, air conditioning, airbags, full power accessories and ABS.

Powerful German

But the main advantage of the Gelik lies under its hood. The range of Mercedes engines is quite wide: there are modest 2.7-liter and 3.2-liter diesel engines, and there are also the most powerful 500-horsepower and 614-horsepower compressor units from AMG with a volume of 5.5 liters. As experience shows, the volume and power of engines in a Gelik only affect fuel consumption and sound quality. For example, a 5-liter device requires at least 22 liters of fuel in the city and about 15 liters when driving on the highway. There are much more economical options, but, according to the strong opinion of the owners, the consumption rate for such a car is quite appropriate.

As for the characteristics of the engine itself (and the reviews are almost the same, volume and power do not matter if we talk about the quality of work of German engines), we can note several of the most important points from the point of view of our compatriots.

Taking into account the fact that the stock of “horses” of the “Gelik” is usually solid (the most “charged” versions of it have taken root well in our country), you should understand why the accelerator pedal is so tight. Otherwise, you could simply lose control over this beast. And so, drivers say, the movement of the car is very smooth, soft, without jerks. However, if necessary, a quick leap forward is also possible - sharp pressing pressing the gas pedal turns the car into a real projectile.

“One friend told me that the wheelbarrow is simply carried away in an instant, as if a loader had carried away empty boxes. Figuratively, but very accurately.”

With all this, the units delight their owners with a wonderful guttural sound, which, as drivers honestly admit, is sometimes so pleasant to listen to that you forget to move. In general, when you first meet someone, there is always a strong desire to buy a Gelendvagen.

What to expect from driving a Gelik?

Having summarized all the reviews from drivers about how the famous German behaves on the road, several nuances should be noted:

• The maximum comfortable driving speed is 100-110 km/h. With greater acceleration, the already mentioned noises from air flows begin to make themselves known. In principle, motorists say, driving at speeds of 130, 150, even 180 km/h is possible. But in such cases there is no need to talk about high comfort;
• Given the size of the car, you need to take turns very carefully. Fans of the Gelik note excessive roll;
• Its suspension is still quite stiff. But, according to motorists, this concept is relative. In general, the picture is such that bumps and holes make the car shudder, although the impacts are not transmitted to the body;
• The car's braking system deserved particular praise. The 2.4 ton car stops almost instantly and at the same time smoothly when you press the brake pedal. Those owners who drove the SUV's passenger compatriots say that in this regard, the Gelik has surpassed its younger brothers.

Finishing the conversation about the driving performance of this car, here is one of the warnings from experienced owners:

“You can feel the side wind very well on this car. If you’re unaccustomed to it, it can take you quite off course, so hold the steering wheel tighter.”

“But what about off-road qualities? - you ask. The fact is that few owners of this SUV, especially if we are talking about a relatively new model, will agree to use it in field conditions. But still there is some experience. Actually, from this side the car has no shortcomings at all. Neither dirt, nor snow, nor the complete absence of road surface. But it’s still not intended for this, although it has solid potential.

Final words on operation

Thus one can express general impression our compatriots in the following words: Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen is indeed a very good, reliable and status car. Its appearance will invariably attract attention, the interior will always surround you with comfort and a sense of security, and its impeccable engine will allow you not to worry about moving around the city. Outside the city, the Gelik will not let you down either, it is not afraid to get dirty and will calmly take you to your destination.

The only “but” of this car is the cost of its maintenance. As car enthusiasts say, this pleasure is too expensive: service will cost you at least 300 US dollars just for changing shoes. Of course, you can get service not from dealers, but then, as they say, everything is at your own peril and risk.

Overall, the car is worth spending money on. True, the cost of the Gelendvagen in the AMG version is the most powerful engine and in maximum configuration amounts to as much as 14,000,000 rubles.

A little “secret”: if you want to own a car with the brutal appearance of a Gelika, but don’t have the money, then you don’t have to be doomed to look exclusively at the section dedicated to Mercedes-Benz in stores. The fact is that the G-Class has plenty of both imitators and real twin brothers.

1. Puch G-Class

The legendary G-Class has been produced in Austria for several years now. Cars are assembled at the Magna Steyr plant, which was previously called Steyr-Daimler-Puch. That is why until the beginning of the 21st century the car was available under the Puch and Puch badges. However, the share of the latter was very small - about 10 percent. At the same time, Puch G-Klasse was supplied to only a few countries: Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Slovenia, a number of African countries, as well as to the UK.

Interestingly, when Pope John Paul II came to Austria in 1983, all the emblems on his Mercedes G-Class were replaced with Puch emblems.

2. Peugeot P4

The Peugeot P4 is not an imitator at all, but a licensed copy. By the way, this is the last licensed copy of Gelika, which is being produced for the French army. However, despite the striking visual similarity of the cars, under the hood this French “Gel” is still a real Peugeot.

At the car diesel engine from a Peugeot 504 and a transmission from a Peugeot 604. The car’s baptism of fire took place back in 1978 in Africa, where it proved to be not very fast, but an incredibly reliable car. For some time, the P4 was also sold on the civilian market, but due to low demand, the car gradually disappeared from the pavilions of dealership centers.

3.BAIC BJ80

BAIC and Daimler have joint production in China. So the BAIC BJ80 is a kind of half-blood prince, a rather blatant “craft” imitating the legend. There is nothing "" in the car. There is a unique suspension and a Saab engine. Both of these leave much to be desired. Certainly Big Brother knows about the existence of the BAIC BJ80, but has yet to sue the manufacturers. Why? Yes, this Chinese creativity does not pose any competitive threat. The car is not for sale outside the Middle Kingdom. Interestingly, the BJ80 has an all-electric version.

4. Force Gurkha

The Indian SUV Force Gurkha is eerily similar to the G-Class. For some enthusiastic local locksmiths with a wrench in their hands, however, this is not enough, and they willingly take on deep and comprehensive tuning.

This particular Force Gurkha received a new front end, new wheel arches and rims, roof, lights and some other parts. All this was done in order to look even more like the Gelendvagen. The response turned out to be really convincing! But the stuffing under the hood leaves much to be desired - the 2.6-liter CRDi produces only 85 “horses”.

5. Mahindra Bolero

There is such an SUV - Mahindra Bolero, and so the production of Gelika replicas based on it in India is simply put on stream. For a “modest” donation, the skilled wrench and screwdriver craftsmen at R&T Auto Catalyst will transform an ordinary Indian SUV into both an ordinary G500 and an incredible G63 AMG. They will make a replica with all the nameplates and wheels! Of course, the result of the work does not look very harmonious, however, such a copy will cost an order of magnitude less than the original.

6. Aro 24

Not the most “plausible” G-class, but if you look at the car with one eye, then this option will do. Of course, the Aro 24 is not nearly as powerful: its 2.5-liter engine produces only 86 horsepower. But it is quite brutal, it even has something of military models in it. Aro 24 costs about 70 thousand rubles on the Russian market.

7. LuAZ-969

A couple of additional doors, a modified front part, a redesigned roof - and now we have a LuAZ, which is terribly similar to the G-Class. Only the filling of this custom remains unchanged; under the hood is the same 1.1-liter unit with a herd of 40 “horses”. At the same time, the tuners bothered to pretty much pump up the interior!

8. UAZ-469/3151

If you wish, you can make a “Gelik” from an UAZ. The replica is done really well. Not all motorists immediately recognize the catch. This particular model was assembled by an enthusiastic master from Kanev.

9. GAZ-69

Perhaps the most unusual Mercedes-Benz replica that has ever been made by auto mechanics. The old, useless GAZ-69 was taken as the basis. It took the master about a year to get the car in order, and then also tune it. In the end, this miracle happened.

10. BJ80 6x6

Another creation Chinese brand BAIC. This time, masters from the Middle Kingdom decided to copy the Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6 model. The main difference from the original of the “Chinese” is that it uses a hybrid power plant. Externally, the cars are incredibly similar.

Updated Mercedes-Benz SUV The 2018-2019 G-Class debuted at the Detroit Auto Show, which traditionally opens its doors in January. The car in the back of W463, dating back to 1990, has undergone another modernization, which hardly affected exterior design, but seriously affected interior decoration, complete set and technical equipment models. For sale new Mercedes Gelendvagen 2018-2019 will arrive in June of this year at a price of 107,040 euros (about 7.37 million rubles). This is exactly how much the version of the G 500 with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 422 hp will cost in Germany. power and 610 Nm of torque. The cost of the diesel and “charged” (Mercedes-AMG G 63) modifications will be announced later. Collect new Mercedes Gelandewagen is still planned at the plant in Graz, Austria.

New body: dimensions and maneuverability

Without changing anything radically in appearance, the developers thoroughly revised power structure SUV. It is based, as before, on a ladder-type frame, but its rigidity has been increased by 55% - from 6537 to 10162 Nm/deg.

Frame of the new G-Class

The body mated to the frame, consisting mainly of high-strength steel, received some aluminum elements - these are the doors, hood and fenders. As a result of improvements new G-Class dropped 170 kg from its original weight, but at the same time retained a curb weight of more than two tons.

Body

During the update, the Mercedes Gelendvagen increased in size - the length increased by 53 mm (to 4715 mm), the width increased by 121 mm (to 1881 mm). The ground clearance has increased by six millimeters, reaching 241 mm. The geometric cross-country ability of the body of the German all-terrain vehicle, albeit quite a bit, has improved: the approach angle was 31 degrees (+1), the ramp angle was 26 degrees (+2), the departure angle was 30 degrees (no changes). The maximum fordable depth has increased to 700 mm (+100 mm).

Spot edits to appearance

Mercedes designers took a very careful approach to correcting the appearance of the charismatic and still successfully selling SUV (about 20 thousand units sold in 2016). New model retained the classic profile and characteristic chopped shapes, returning to the military past of the car. Also, the branded “chips” have not gone away - a flat windshield, a towering hood, clumsy door handles with buttons, external door hinges, a spare wheel enclosed in a casing on the fifth door.

Photo of Mercedes G-Class 2018-2019

However, there are plenty of innovations on the body of the modernized Mercedes G-Class, although not all of them are easily revealed upon a quick inspection. First of all, the new product is distinguished by a redesigned nose part of the body, which has acquired LED headlights and a new bumper with smoothed corners to improve pedestrian safety. Finding other differences from the car is a little more difficult, but a careful look will easily reveal a different location of the gas tank flap (from now on it is located on the right above the rear fender), the absence of seals on the windshield, the disappearance of air ducts on the front fenders, and rounded door corners. Another point - fit body parts the new Gelendvagen is made more carefully, so the gaps between them are now minimal.

New stern design

The tweaked contours of the SUV did not affect its aerodynamic characteristics. The Cx coefficient of the new G-Wagen is the same as the previous version of the model - 0.54.

Large-scale reorganization of the salon

If the Gelendvagen remained 100% recognizable on the outside, then on the inside it was transformed in literally every detail. At the same time, it is curious that the modification of the interior of, perhaps, the most “masculine” car was led by a female designer, Liliya Chernaeva. It is not surprising that during development the bias was made towards technology and comfort, however, in the new vision there was a place for clumsy and even rough elements that do not let us forget that this is the interior of a brutal SUV, and not a sedan or coupe. But first things first.

First, let's focus on the thoroughly redesigned front panel, the design of which borrows a lot from latest news Mercedes - sedans and . For example, Gelendvagen obviously got a new steering wheel with a convenient joystick for controlling the gearbox from the flagship four-door. As for the round ventilation deflectors, which replaced the archaic rectangular ones, they undoubtedly migrated from. In general, the panel as a whole and the center console in particular began to look much more stylish thanks to the advent of modern information displays and button blocks.

Photo of the Gelandewagen interior as standard

But let’s immediately make a reservation that two advanced 12.3-inch screens, combined into a single block and placed under one glass, are not available for all versions of the new G-Class, but only for the expensive ones. In the initial version, the car is equipped with a classic dashboard with arrow indicators. But the control panel multimedia system Comand Online is present in all trim levels and is located on a completely updated inter-passenger tunnel, which has gotten rid of the gearshift lever (gears are now changed on the steering column) and the handbrake handle (from now on an electric one is used). parking brake). Unloading the tunnel also made it possible to organize a double-leaf box armrest and a pair of cup holders. The only thing that reminds us of the old Gelika in the interior of the new model is the handrail front passenger and three catchy differential lock control buttons on the console (located exactly between the air deflectors).

Photo of the top version interior

The top trim levels of the new Mercedes G-Class will delight you with an unprecedented abundance of available equipment. In addition to the tandem 12.3-inch screens, the list of equipment includes several finishing options using high-quality materials (leather, Alcantara, wood, aluminum), fully electrified Active Multicontour Seat front seats (heating, massage, ventilation, customizable lateral support), three-zone climate control -control, wireless charger smartphones, premium Burmester acoustics with 16 speakers.

First row seats

All of the above improvements are good, but the main positive result of the update in relation to the Gelendvagen’s interior is still the increase in its size, and as a result, the amount of free space in both rows. First of all, the front seating pattern has changed - now the riders will not feel cramped in the shoulders, and the driver will receive additional space for his right leg, so he can comfortably manipulate the pedals (surprisingly, there were problems with this in the pre-reform car). The increase in comfort for front passengers is expressed numerically: the increase in the leg area was 38 mm, and the shoulder area became more spacious by the same amount.

Rear seats

From now on, the rear rooms are ready to offer more comfort and hospitality. seats Mercedes Gelendvagen. Firstly, passengers in the second row will immediately feel more freedom due to the fact that the distance between the backrests of the front and rear seats increased by as much as 150 mm, and an additional 27 mm of reserve appeared in the shoulder area. Secondly, the sofa itself has become much more comfortable; it is equipped with adjustable backrests and a central armrest, behind which a hatch for long items is hidden. And finally, thirdly, rear passengers will have access to a personal climate control panel (three-zone climate control is not available for all versions) and spacious door pockets.

Technical characteristics of Mercedes Gelandewagen 2018-2019

Specialists from the Mercedes-AMG division worked on the chassis of the new Gelendvagen. They completely revised the old design, as a result of which the SUV acquired a front independent double wishbone mounted directly in the frame (previously a subframe was used). At the rear, a continuous axle was installed on the car, complemented by four levers and a Panhard rod.

Mercedes Gelendvagen chassis

The new product has a full drive, of course. Transfer case combined with a gearbox, there is a reduction gear (ratio 2.93) and three differential locks (the central differential is mechanical with an electronically controlled locking clutch). As a standard, traction is distributed between the front and rear axles in a 40/60 ratio. You can change the driving mode using the Dynamic Select switch, which provides five driving programs: Comfort, Sport, Eco, Individual and G-Mode. When choosing one mode or another, the settings of the engine, gearbox, electric power steering and adaptive shock absorbers are adjusted. Enabling any of the locks or “lowering” initiates forced activation of “G-Mode” regardless of the current position of the selector.

From the first days of sales, the new Gelandewagen will be offered in just one version – the Mercedes-Benz G 500. Under the hood of such a car will be a 4.0 V8 petrol turbo unit with an output of 422 hp. and 610 Nm. It will be paired with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. According to manufacturer estimates average consumption The G500 fuel should fluctuate around 11.1 liters per 100 km.

By the end of 2018 – beginning of 2019, the line of G-Class modifications will be replenished with the “charged” Mercedes-AMG G 63 with a 612-horsepower V8 engine and diesel version with a 2.9-liter “six” (presumed index G 400d).

Photo Mercedes Gelendvagen 2018-2019