Taken separately, both the Mercedes-Benz SLK and the G-Wagen are two good rides from totally different classes. One of them is a sporty roadster, whereas the other is built to conquer pretty much anything Mother Nature has to throw at it.
So, what do they have in common, aside from the three-pointed star badge? Well, a few years ago, an Italian company called OPAC built a few examples of the Contender XG, for Swiss-based Status and Class. If that still does not answer your question, then you have missed our initial coverage of the story, but don’t worry, as we will explain everything.
Read: Would You Drive A Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Replica Based On An SLK?
You see, the Contender XG uses the body-on-frame construction of the short wheelbase Mercedes-Benz G-Class and an SLK body, albeit with a few updates. The car can thus brag with the unofficial coupe SUV nomenclature, as it’s actually both. What it is not, is pretty, because… well, just look at it. The front and rear ends seem to have come from a small Chinese automaker, and the jacked-up ground clearance makes it even less desirable.
Nonetheless, if you have a thing for it, then the example pictured below is for sale. The ad posted on Mobile by a German used car dealer states that it has only 11,000 km (6,835 miles) on the clock and packs a 3.2-liter straight-six that pumps out 211 PS (208 hp / 155 kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, paired to an automatic transmission that sends the power to both axles. It is said to come from a private collector in Italy, who bought it new, and will set you back a whopping €490,000 ($540,446).
If you had that much money to throw at a car, what would you get? A non-AMG G-Wagen and a McLaren 720S, sound very tempting to us; plus they cover both bases and leave a few cash to spend on insurance, fuel and the like.