2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Aurora

Graz, Austria - Since its introduction in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz Gelndewagen has been deployed on many arduous missions. With stints in military service, as UN ambulances, as the armored Popemobile, and as set dressing for music videos, the G-wagen is a luxury SUV with one impressive rsum. The G-wagen has been employed on every continent and in virtually every country but, incredibly, has never been sold officially in the world's biggest, SUV-lovingest market of all: ours.

Finally, Mercedes makes the most obvious of moves this January, putting the Gelndewagen in its U.S. dealerships. Only the G500 model will be imported, powered by the same 5.0-liter V-8 and five-speed automatic in the S500; in this application, the engine makes 296 horsepower. This impressive powertrain has its work cut out for it with the 5423-pound G500, but it prods the hefty SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just over ten seconds. The strain of the G500's weight and its brick-outhouse aerodynamics begins to show only at extralegal highway speeds. (If the G55 AMG we saw during our factory tour makes it Stateside, its 355 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque should allow for truly rapid deployment).

Like all true off-road vehicles, the G500 feels slightly out of its element on pavement. With solid front and rear axles and tremendous unsprung weight (the trailing arm could double as Paul Bunyan's ax), the G500 can be ponderous. Still, it exudes the old-school Mercedes solidity that the company's newer products do not. It's no BMW X5, but Mercedes engineers have done a tremendous job stifling most body roll and impact harshness through skillful suspension tuning and chassis electronics.... Read full article