Mercedes-Benz finally took the decision to bring their rugged to the States, starting from early 2017. For around $200,000, the G550 4×4² is effectively a Unimog that can blast to 60 mph in less than six seconds. At each corner are portal axles and dual shocks, those neat, gear-laden types that let the half-shafts drop down from the axles for extreme levels of clearance and articulation.
The G550 4×4² is actually a four-wheeled version of the insane Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6 six-wheeler, which is not sold in the U.S. Mercedes removed the extra set of wheels, but kept the 6×6’s advanced off-road hardware.
2017 Mercedes-Benz
For power, the G550 4×4² uses Mercedes’ 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. It produces 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, and is connected to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 4 wheel drive system can split torque 50/50 front to rear, and features 3 locking differentials (front, center, and rear). With all 3 diffs locked, all 4 wheels turn at the same speed, ensuring power is sent to the ones that have traction. Mercedes says any G-Class can move forward even if only one wheel has traction.
Some of the additional features over the G550 include the side-underbody exhaust pipes, the wheel arches on all four corners and ,widened tracks and 22-inch wheels.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 goes on sale in early 2017, so hopefully the apocalypse doesn’t happen before then.
