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Written by Kami Buchholz
Enthusiasts still call it the "G-wagen" and its boxy exterior form remains faithful to the 1979 original. There"s still a ladder-type frame, three fully-locking differentials and low-range gear reduction. But the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class boasts new technology to further improve its off-road prowess. "The G-Class from the start was built to be the most capable off-road car that we have in our portfolio. And the new G-Mode" improves the vehicle"s off-road capability even further," said Ola Kallenius, Member of the Board of Daimler AG responsible for R&D and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. Kallenius spoke with Automotive Engineering following the 2019 G-Class world debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. The driveline switches to G-Mode--independent of the selected driving mode--as soon as one of the three differential locks has been activated or the Low Range off-road reduction gear has been engaged. G-Mode adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic while preventing unnecessary gear shifts. Extensive testing of the new G-Wagen and its G-mode unfolded on the 1445-m-(4740 ft-) high Schockl mountain, near Magna Steyr"s Graz, Austria, plant where the G-Class is produced. The grueling 5.6 km (3.47 mi) test route is flush with steep, daunting terrain. "If you"re off-road in extreme situations, you want to be able to control the vehicle at very low speed," Kallenius said, noting the current G-Class can handle approach/departure angles of up to 45 . With the new G-Mode, even more challenging angles and speeds are possible for the G-Class, Kallenius promised. The 2019 truck also features a new independent suspension, developed in a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz GmbH and Mercedes-AMG GmbH. Front wheel travel is controlled by a double-wishbone setup, rigidly mounted to the frame, while the "live" rigid rear axle uses four longitudinal trailing arms on each side and a Panhard rod. The lower control arms" attachment points in Z-axis are positioned as high up on the frame as possible for improved ground clearance and off-road drivability. Even though the 2019 G-Class is longer and wider than its predecessor, the SUV is approximately 375-lb (170-kg) lighter, Mercedes engineers claim. The body shell is now made of a variety of steel grades while the hood, doors, fenders, door hinges and handles are in aluminum. The A- and B-pillars are stamped in high strength steel. The G550 retains its 4.0-L bi-turbo gasoline V8 that delivers 416 hp (310 kW) and 450 lb ft (610 N m) between 2000-4750 rpm. The transmission is a 9-speed automatic with dedicated control software to reduce the shift-response times associated with off-road driving. A new transfer case is flange-mounted directly onto the transmission to provide 40% of the drive torque to the front axle and 60% to the rear. "It"s the master of all things off-road," Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management at Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said of the new G-Class.
Date written: 15-Jan-2018 11:55 EST
More of this article on the SAE International Website
ID: 10563
Enthusiasts still call it the "G-wagen" and its boxy exterior form remains faithful to the 1979 original. There"s still a ladder-type frame, three fully-locking differentials and low-range gear reduction. But the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class boasts new technology to further improve its off-road prowess. "The G-Class from the start was built to be the most capable off-road car that we have in our portfolio. And the new G-Mode" improves the vehicle"s off-road capability even further," said Ola Kallenius, Member of the Board of Daimler AG responsible for R&D and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. Kallenius spoke with Automotive Engineering following the 2019 G-Class world debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. The driveline switches to G-Mode--independent of the selected driving mode--as soon as one of the three differential locks has been activated or the Low Range off-road reduction gear has been engaged. G-Mode adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic while preventing unnecessary gear shifts. Extensive testing of the new G-Wagen and its G-mode unfolded on the 1445-m-(4740 ft-) high Schockl mountain, near Magna Steyr"s Graz, Austria, plant where the G-Class is produced. The grueling 5.6 km (3.47 mi) test route is flush with steep, daunting terrain. "If you"re off-road in extreme situations, you want to be able to control the vehicle at very low speed," Kallenius said, noting the current G-Class can handle approach/departure angles of up to 45 . With the new G-Mode, even more challenging angles and speeds are possible for the G-Class, Kallenius promised. The 2019 truck also features a new independent suspension, developed in a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz GmbH and Mercedes-AMG GmbH. Front wheel travel is controlled by a double-wishbone setup, rigidly mounted to the frame, while the "live" rigid rear axle uses four longitudinal trailing arms on each side and a Panhard rod. The lower control arms" attachment points in Z-axis are positioned as high up on the frame as possible for improved ground clearance and off-road drivability. Even though the 2019 G-Class is longer and wider than its predecessor, the SUV is approximately 375-lb (170-kg) lighter, Mercedes engineers claim. The body shell is now made of a variety of steel grades while the hood, doors, fenders, door hinges and handles are in aluminum. The A- and B-pillars are stamped in high strength steel. The G550 retains its 4.0-L bi-turbo gasoline V8 that delivers 416 hp (310 kW) and 450 lb ft (610 N m) between 2000-4750 rpm. The transmission is a 9-speed automatic with dedicated control software to reduce the shift-response times associated with off-road driving. A new transfer case is flange-mounted directly onto the transmission to provide 40% of the drive torque to the front axle and 60% to the rear. "It"s the master of all things off-road," Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management at Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said of the new G-Class.
Date written: 15-Jan-2018 11:55 EST
More of this article on the SAE International Website
ID: 10563
