Mercedes Benz G Class
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If the Mercedes Benz G Class were a celebrity, it’d be Dolph Lundgren. Almost laughably sculpted and yet somehow refined and intelligent (did you know he has a Master’s in engineering and attended MIT?), the old Merc G-Wagon is the Bond villain of 4×4 vehicles – except, in this case, it killed James and drove off into the sunset. Over some big, snowy boulders somewhere in the Alps, of course.
Yes, the G-Wagon is Germany’s answer to America’s H1 Hummer. Excessive, as squared off and cut up as an 80’s action hero battling a drug lord, and boasting literal supercar levels of performance, the Benz G Class is perhaps the most expensive and powerful off-road machine on our list. While it may not look like it, we’ll prove you wrong:
For starters, the G Class has three, yes three, independently locking differentials – front, center, and rear. The most powerful package available in the G Class, an AMG 6.0L V12 with two turbos, dumps over 730 torques and 621 horses at the rear wheels, making null to 60 in 5.2 seconds. Keep in mind this is all for the “regular Joe” G Wagons. We haven’t gotten to the G Class Squared. This monstrosity has portal axles, the same technology found on wheeled military tanks. These portal axles use a unique gear setup inside each wheel that allows the axle itself to sit an additional 6” higher. Take a peek underneath the G Class Squared and you won’t see the axles themselves because they’re tucked up against the bottom of the body.
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This gives the G Class Squared a whopping ground clearance of almost 18” and water fording capabilities over 39”, likely more than any other standard production 4×4 vehicle currently available on the market. Inside the G Class Squared’s bonnet rests a bi-turbo 4.0L V8 making 416 horses and 450 torques. The Squared rolls out of the factory ready to tackle the worst trails imaginable thanks to permanently engaged all-wheel-drive with a two-speed transfer case.
A uniquely built 7G-TRONIC transmission functions with smart assistance, including automatically accelerating in 2nd gear in wet weather to reduce the risk of slipping. A lockup torque converter transfers more power, and the entire casing is made of lightweight and tough magnesium.
Even though we’re talking about the best off-road vehicles ever built, the G Class still separates itself from the pack by another measure: Luxury. Without getting into the details, stepping into a G Wagon is like taking a seat inside a Tudor mansion. Expect to be surrounded by the world’s finest, handcrafted leathers and woods, all while you traverse those frozen mountain caps in the middle of Austria.
