Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes Benz G350d – Exterior

A Mercedes Benz G-Class will remind you of an old wartime jeep from the 1940s and your eyes do not deceive you. Mercedes Benz has been keeping the exterior design close to the original Mercedes Benz G-Class made in 1979. It exudes ruggedness and makes you want to take it off-road immediately. 

There are many old-school design cues on the Mercedes Benz G350d such as the exposed door hinges, old-fashioned door handles, indicator lights on top of the fender, big spare wheel on the tailgate, and a flat surface on the side profile.

The Malaysian market Mercedes Benz G350d is available in AMG Line trim and together with the Night package that includes radiator grille louvres, side mirror, spare wheel ring, and bumper trim elements painted in obsidian black. This package also darkens the indicators, tail lights, and headlamps. 

Another exterior package included is the Stainless Steel package that adds stainless steel bits on the spare wheel cover, running boards, door sill, and rear sill protector. A feature that attracts the eyes is the long protective strip on the side profiles that blends with the door handles.  

Lighting comes standard with the adaptive MULTIBEAM LED headlights. The headlights employ individually controlled LEDs to respond to any given traffic situation. The active light function illuminates the view to optimum effect and omits other road users without dazzling them. 

The Mercedes Benz G350d rides on 20-inch AMG multi-spoke rims wrapped in beefy 275/50 tyres which is wide enough for any terrain. Brake calipers behind the wheels have Mercedes-Benz writings on the surface. 

Mercedes Benz G350d – Interior

When you see a Mercedes Benz G350d cruising on the road, the utilitarian exterior will make you imagine the interior to be similar in design but when you look inside the interior, you will be surprised. The cabin has its unique Mercedes Benz G-Class interior design such as a grab handle on the dashboard for the front passenger. However, you will also see many familiar bits that can be found on other Mercedes models.

The inside is a mixed blend of luxury and sportiness. The high-classness comes from an IWC clock (Swiss luxury timepiece) and leather on the dashboard panels and the multi-function steering wheel. Then, we have red stitching here and there, metal weave trim, red seat belts, and DINAMICA microfiber roof lining that brings out the sporty feel.

Other amenities including a sliding sunroof and heated windscreen are standard features. The boot can allow 667 liters of luggage space with the rear seats up and extends to 1,246 liters when the seat is down. The tailgate could be inconvenient to open because it opens sideways and is heavy due to the spare wheel mounted on the back. 

Mercedes Benz G350d – Features

The Mercedes Benz G350d gets THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system. It is a three climate zones air-con with three climate styles. The driver and front passenger have separate settings and the third zone is for the rear, equipped with independent adjustability. Rear air-con controls together with two USB ports and a 12V port can be found on the rear floor console. Rear passengers get air vents on the console and on the B-Pillar.

Safety

Standard safety features of the Mercedes Benz G350d include airbags, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, auto cruise control, and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
There is also the Assistance package that consists of the DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist and Blind Spot Assist. Parking aids available are a reverse camera and Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC.

Infotainment

Inside the Mercedes Benz G350d, there are two 12.3-inch screens installed together under a continuous glass screen. One is the fully digital instrument panel and one is for the infotainment system. The infotainment system includes the COMAND Online navigation system and sound quality is provided by a Burmester surround-sound audio system. Access to the infotainment can be done using the touchpad and controller dial on the center console.

Mercedes Benz G350d – Powertrain

Engine

The iconic SUV is powered by the OM656 2.9 liter straight six turbodiesel engine that is found in the S-Class, CLS, GLE, GLS. It features two-stage turbocharging, Nanoslide® coating of cylinder walls, and for the first time, Camtronic variable valve-lift control. In terms of output, the OM656 produces 286 PS @3,400 rpm to 4,600 rpm and 600 Nm of torque @1,200 rpm to 3,200 rpm.

The G-Wagen comes equipped for the first time with dynamic engine mounts. These dynamic mounts can instantly and variably adapt their rigidity at different speeds to the driving conditions for improved vibrational comfort and driving dynamics. Soft engine mounts provide more decoupling of vibration and make it more comfortable. Meanwhile, handling benefits from stiffer mounts as there is more feedback.

Transmission

The G350d receives the 9G-TRONIC gearbox as the sole choice of transmission. It is a 9-speed hydrodynamic torque converter unit that offers smoother shifting for a more comfortable drive. The nine-gear automatic also improves fuel economy dramatically due to its lightweight and compact size, saving around 6.5 percent on fuel consumption.

Furthermore, on top of that, having more gears than needed gives you an advantage. You can drive very fast without being high up in the rpm range. The gearbox will keep engine revs low by shifting gears early, offering smooth gear changes for a comfortable ride This too optimizes efficiency.

The transmission features selectable driving modes and drivers can shift gears manually using the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. While increasing comfort, the lower revs also reduce the noise level. In addition, the 9G-TRONIC is also able to jump gears while downshifting, so you’re able to get quick and powerful acceleration.

Chassis

The Mercedes Benz G350d is built on a robust, 3.4 mm thick sheet steel ladder frame which is usually reserved for pick-up trucks. This is because it is significantly better suited for tough off-road use. This has been the tradition for all G-Class of the past. In addition, the separation of noise sources from the chassis and the carriageway provides for a quieter interior and enhanced ride comfort.

The suspension type used is a combination of Double Wishbone for the front and rigid axle in the rear. The wishbone mounting points are located high up in the chassis in order to maximize off-roading ground clearance. At the rear, the rigid axle is guided by four longitudinal control arms on each side, and a Panhard rod to dampen lateral movement. All four corners can be adjusted with the adaptive damping system.  

Drivetrain

The Mercedes Benz G350d sold in Malaysia comes with all-wheel drive system that provides a 40:60 torque split. It has three combinations of differential locks: Front, Rear, and Both. All these modes can be selected with the buttons located in between the middle air-con vents, below the infotainment screen. 

Mercedes Benz G350d – Driving Performance

The 600 Nm of torque produced by the engine is no joke and because of that the Mercedes Benz G350d is capable of going from zero to hundred in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 199 km/h. There are five drive modes, selectable via the Dynamic Select. Each mode has different behavior for the engine, transmission, suspension, and steering for different driving styles and needs.

Mercedes Benz G350d – Ride Comfort

The Mercedes Benz G350d is a tall five-seater SUV and the seating position is high up with good visibility. The front gets electrically adjustable, leather seats with memory function. You can adjust the seat cushion, backrest, and head restraint separately to find a comfortable and back-friendly position.

This generation’s Mercedes Benz G-Class is significantly larger than its predecessor. As a result, there is more legroom, especially for rear passengers. The rear seats are comfortable and could seat three adults properly. Although there are no electric seats for the rear, the incline of the seat can be manually adjusted. 

Mercedes Benz G350d – Conclusion

The Mercedes Benz G-Class is unique and none comes near to that status. The Mercedes Benz G-Class is an SUV where opposite values meet in the middle. The Mercedes Benz G-Class is old-fashioned on the outside but modern and new on the inside. It feels like when luxury meets adventure and ruggedness is combined. The Mercedes Benz G-Class is one that will bring you off-road and look like you belong there while enjoying modern comfort in the cabin.