Mercedes-Benz G350 BlueTEC
The antique trophyPrepare to meet the definition of the words legend, antique and expensive. I haven’t been so excited about a test car in months and it’s been equally long since I witnessed such diverse and lively reactions to a vehicle, in this case a Mercedes-Benz G350 BlueTEC. Not to be confused with the supersized GL-Class, the G-Class is what my cousin what call “the original gangsta”. The G (“Gel?ndewagen”, German for cross-country vehicle) was initially developed for military use but introduced to the elated public in 1979.
Square lines, bullet-proof Austrian construction, ladder chassis, low range and three diff locks quickly earned it legendary status and even a Dakar rally win. A few examples made it to South Africa over the years, but Mercedes-Benz S.A. officially re-launched the G this year – 32 years after its birth.
The reactions this car gets can vouch for its three decades of absence from local shores – most admirers can’t believe that it’s a Mercedes. “But it’s so square? And old.” A tiny percentage of admirers share the same enthusiasm for the Gee as American rap/pop stars: “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen...”
Although only available as a five-door station wagon in three trims and engines, at least these combinations represent the widest spread of the range. First up is the utilitarian G300CDI Professional, then comes this G350 BlueTEC, and last but not least is the insane G55 AMG.
Right. Now for the pricing. You may want to sit down for this. As most people sit while reading, I strongly suggest you stand up and sit down again and repeat as necessary. The G300 CDI costs R789,979. This G350 costs R1,242,274 and the G55 will set you back R1,897,159.
See what I meant by expensive? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Every single cost enquiry earned our G350 test car a gigantic heap of criticism and rejection, usually flavoured with the names of superior vehicles at this price. Think Cayenne, Range Rover and the like.
Unfortunately, I believe the critics were unbelievably wrong and short-sighted; the only hope came from a good friend slash investment banker. He, much like his clients, completely ignored the price and saw the G350 for what it is: a trophy. A status symbol. A third car for your Hermanus house.
The car’s lack of leather was dismissed as quickly as the legendary shape was embraced. Here are a few more things a G-Wagen doesn’t have: aerodynamics, crumple zones, uni-body construction, road holding, cup holders, grace.
In this model, the antique shape was pimped to Mr. or Mrs. Millionaire’s expectations and boasts auto bi-Xenon headlights, navigation, 6-disc DVD changer, harmon kardon speakers, Bluetooth, sunroof, voice command, reversing camera, airbags, ESP stability control and ABS/BAS brakes, amongst others.
The SL/CLK wood ‘n leather steering wheel is electrically adjustable (as are windows and mirrors) and features audio buttons and control of a comprehensive trip computer in the previous-C-Class instrument cluster. The G350 also has cruise control with speed limiter function.
The upright driving position offers reasonable space and the remainder of the cabin is lifted with leather, wood and chrome highlights. Rear passenger leg-room isn’t great but the simple and capacious boot will gladly carry heavy and dirty loads.
Doing duty in the G350 BlueTEC is Mercedes-Benz’ tried and trusted 3-litre twin-turbo-Diesel V6 (155kW/211hp/540Nm) achieving 8.8 seconds to 100km/h and a top speed of 175km/h via a silky-smooth 7-speed automatic gearbox with tip-function.
A claimed average of 11.2L/100km consumption promises a range of 850-odd km from the giant 95L tank but town driving will quickly see that figure reach the mid-teens. Suburban roads will also reveal the G350’s heavy handling, even heavier steering and surprisingly firm suspension.
Cornering and braking are below par for modern standards but outstanding for a 1970’s relic. Should the sturdy body lumber off its line, the ESP kicks in gently to restrain its urge of ploughing straight through someone’s house. High-speed cruising is typically Mercedes-composed but a bit noisy.
A short off-road trip with low range and all three diffs lit up proved that the Gel?ndewagen has its roots in dirt and could’ve handled much, much more than I dared to throw at it. Wheel articulation isn’t phenomenal and the shiny running boards on our test unit had already taken a knock from previous outings. A few days earlier, someone shook their head and uttered “I’d never take that thing off-road” and yet again I think they couldn’t have been more wrong. The Gel?ndewagen is a legend. It may be overpriced but it can roll past the haters in a rap video as well as it can trek up Van Zyl’s Pass. It’s incredible.
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古董奖杯准备迎接话传说，古董和昂贵的定义。我还没有这么兴奋试验车在月，它已经同样长的，因为我亲眼目睹到车辆等不同，活泼的反应，在这种情况下，梅赛德斯 - 奔驰G350 BLUETEC。 为了不被与超大型的GL-Class混淆，G级是我的表弟什么叫“原匪帮”。在G（“Gel?ndewagen”，德国越野车）最初是用于军事用途，但引入在1979年扬眉吐气公开。广场线，防弹奥地利建筑，阶梯底盘，低范围和三个差异锁很快赢得了传奇般的地位，甚至达喀尔拉力赛的胜利。举几个例子去到南非，多年来，但梅赛德斯-奔驰SA正式重新启动对G今年-它诞生32年后这辆车得到的反应可以保证其三十年来没有从当地海岸-最崇拜者无法相信这是一辆奔驰。“但它是如此多？。老“仰慕的很小的比例共享相同的热情啧啧作为美国饶舌/流行歌星：”这是我见过的最酷 ??的事情......“ 虽然只是作为三一五门旅行车饰件和发动机，至少这些组合所代表的范围最宽的扩散。首先登场的是功利G300CDI专业，然后是这个G350 BLUETEC，以及最后但并非最不重要的是疯狂的G55 AMG。右。现在的定价。你可能想坐下来此。由于大多数人坐在一边看书，我强烈建议你站起来，并再次坐下，并根据需要重复。的G300 CDI成本R789，979。该G350成本R1，242,274和G55将设置你回到R1，897159。明白我的意思贵吗？不要说我没提醒你。每单成本查询赢得了我们的G350测试车的批评和拒绝一个巨大的堆，通常调味具有超强的车辆在这个价位的名称。想到卡宴，路虎揽胜等等。不幸的是，我认为批评是令人难以置信的错误和短视; 唯一的希望来自于一个好朋友斜线投资银行家。他，就像他的客户，完全忽略了价格，看到的G350，它是什么：一个奖杯。身份的象征。第三个汽车为您的赫曼努斯的房子。这款车的皮革缺乏的是尽快传说中形状拥抱驳回。这里有一些更多的东西一个G（大众）不具备：空气动力学，吸能区，一体式施工，道路控股，杯架，恩典在这个模型中，古色古香的形状来拉皮条先生或太太百万富翁的期望并拥有自动双氙气大灯，导航，6碟DVD换碟机，哈蒙Kardon扬声器，蓝牙，天窗，语音命令，倒车摄像头，安全气囊，ESP车身稳定控制和ABS / BAS刹车，在其他之中。的SL / CLK木' ? ??真皮方向盘电动调节（如窗户和镜子）和音频功能按钮和一个全面的行车电脑前面的-C级组合仪表中的控制权。该G350还具有巡航控制车速限制器功能。直立的驾驶位置提供合理的空间和机舱的其余部分解除与皮革，木材和镀铬亮点。后排乘客的腿部房间不是很大，但简单而宽敞的引导将很乐意携带沉重的和肮脏的负荷。在G350 BLUETEC做的职责是梅赛德斯-奔驰的尝试和值得信赖的3升双涡轮柴油发动机V6（155kW/211hp / 540纳米）实现8.8秒到100km / h和175公里每小时通过如丝般光滑的7速自动变速箱与尖端功能的最高速度。所声称的平均11.2L/100km消费承诺了一系列850多公里从巨95L油箱，但城区行驶很快就会看到这个数字达到了十几岁。郊区的道路也将揭示G350的重处理，甚至更重的转向和令人惊讶的坚定停牌。转弯和刹车都低于标准杆为现代标准，但优秀的1970年的遗物。假如身体壮实木材断了线，在ESP踢轻轻地抑制直接穿越别人的房子它的冲动。高速巡航通常是梅赛德斯-组成，但是有点吵。短的越野之旅与低范围和所有三个差别照亮了证明，Gel?ndewagen植根于泥土，并且可能已经处理得多，比我没敢多扔它。车轮铰接是不是惊人的，在我们的测试样机闪亮的踏脚板已经采取了从以前的郊游了敲门声。
奔驰G350 BLUETEC最强大的和最快捷的梅赛德斯-奔驰G级，因为它是在1979年推出，而内饰和规范的范围进行了全面的升级头更改梅赛德斯-奔驰'持久的所有越野车的清单。 新?63 AMG，搭载一台544马力的5.5升双涡轮增压直喷V8发动机，加入经修订的梅赛德斯-奔驰G350 BLUETEC涡轮增压柴油发动机的阵容。这两款车都能够穿越地球上最荒凉的地形，但每个人都有自己擅长的领域。 在G 63 AMG可以从0-62英里5.4秒加速，一时间足以匹配许多高性能运动轿车的，但它是15％以上的燃油效率和更低的拥有13％的二氧化碳排放比对G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR它取代。奔驰G350 BLUETEC，现在发展211马力（超过1马力增加以前的型号）和540 Nm的扭矩，从BLUETEC技术和的AdBlue?添加剂的好处，使其大大减少了有害气体的排放尤其是氮氧化物，。 有细微的修改，以永恒的，功能性为导向的外观设计
自1979年推出以来经受??住了G级大有裨益，更全面的变化是在内饰约会和标准规范，由此引发的状态被发现G级作为一个真正的奢侈品去任何地方开车到一个新的水平。
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