If a nearly 6-meter long body and six wheels were too much of a stretch for you, Mercedes is proposing a more sensible version of its G63 AMG 6×6 in the form of the G500 4×4².
It will debut in near production form at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with the Germans stating that, “whether and when the decision on series production of the G 500 4×4² will be made depends on the reaction which the near-series show car receives”.
The hardcore G-Class model takes the five-door body of the regular G500 adding the all-wheel-drive system with portal axles from the 6×6 and surprise, surprise, the 4.0-liter bi-turbocharged V8 from the AMG GT and C63 AMG sports models into the mix (it was previously believed that Mercedes would use a 5.5-liter turbo’d V8).
For this application, the direct-injection V8 engine produces 422PS (416hp) and is connected to a seven-speed 7G-tronic automatic gearbox with a separate transfer case and high / low ratio gearing. The SUV is equipped with three mechanical differential locks that can be selected by the driver.
Also new are the dual strut spring and adjustable damper units, with the driver being able to choose between Comfort and Sport modes through a button on the center console. According to Mercedes, “one spring/damper strut works conventionally with set damper characteristics,” while “the second spring strut has electronically controlled adjustable damping, which thus varies the entire damping behavior depending on the current driving situation”.
Thanks to the use of the special portal axles in which the axle tube is above the center of the wheel hub, the ground clearance on the G500 4×4² rises to an amazing 450mm (17.7 in) compared to the regular model’s 210mm (8.3 in), and the driving or fording depth to 1 meter (39.4 inches).
Elsewhere on the chassis, both the front and rear tracks have been increased by 299mm (11.8 in).
Riding on new 22-inch rims wrapped in 325/55 rubber or optionally, special off-road 18-inch beadlock wheels, the G500 4×4² boasts an improved approach angle of 52 degrees and departure angle of 54 degrees.
Visually, and besides the massive wheels and increased ride height, the 4×4² gets extra wide and partially painted flared fenders on all four corners, integral LED light strips above the windscreen, plus the front bumper of the AMG models.
Inside, Mercedes added the designo Exclusive package that dresses the seat bolsters and head restraints, the dashboard, center console and armrests in leather with white contrasting topstitching, while the seat surfaces, door panels and headliner are covered in DINAMICA microfiber.
You can see the G500 4×4² in action in the video provided by our friends over at GT Spirit right after the official gallery.
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