We put the Mercedes G-Class to the test among rocks, fords and twists
Inside the G-Class experience centre in Graz: forest trails, 45% climbs, and fords to hone technique.
Sky. In front of us, just the sky. And a few tree fronds that have been there for who knows how long. A light pressure on the accelerator pedal, your hands on the steering wheel, and the camera that helps you understand where you are going.
A few seconds and the view changes. Rocks, stones. Big ones. And close, very close. Yet the Mercedes G-Class does not flinch.
On the contrary, with its cruise control, it handles the braking perfectly and automatically. After all, this is your home. And no, it's not something figurative: I'm inside the G-Class Experience Centre in Graz, basically the home of the most famous and authentic Gelandewagen.
We spent a day among fords, bridges, climbs, descents, and twists. Here's how it went.
A centre of excellence
The G-Class Experience Centre in Graz is located about nine miles from the centre of the Austrian town. It is a former aerodrome and is - among other things - open to the public who, for 2,400 euros, can experience a rather special day on board a Mercedes G-Class.
You don't have to be an owner, you can experience it and hone your off-road techniques even as a simple enthusiast. Of course, the cost is not for every pocket, perhaps, but it is still from the house of the Gelandewagen!
the Mercedes G-Class... under resin inside the Graz Centre
Many will, of course, remember the world-famous Schöckl mountain. Here, that has been conceptually reproduced. So here are more or less difficult twists, a rather deep ford, ramps with 45° inclines, climbs with 80% gradients and so on.
All in complete, complete safety. Ah, there is even a square where you can do medium and high-speed slaloms and even a full 360°. And that's where I want to start.
First electric trials
First tests with the electric model, the latest G-Class, the G580, with its 587 bhp, 859 lb-ft of torque. With its three thousand kilograms, of course, but also four motors, one for each wheel. So, while the weight plays its part, the perfect management of the drive torque allows it to tackle any obstacle, but not only...
The electric Mercedes G-Class with cruise control activated while tackling the ford
It tackled the ford without the slightest disturbance, the ascent - one might call it climbing - with just a trickle of "watts," but above all the cruise control management is impressive, both in D-, with autonomous braking management, and in D+, with acceleration management. Here, this is where the latest G-Class impresses because it can handle even potential emergency situations between rocks, climbs, and descents with complete autonomy and safety. It may take away some of the thrill of adventure, but it remains impressive.
G-Turn mode allows you to do 360° independently by pressing just one paddle
And then there are the G-Steering and G-Turn modes. If the latter is of great immediate effect because it allows you to do a 360° (to free yourself from uncomfortable situations) autonomously, it is the former that shows all the power of autonomous four-motor management, simulating what a differential could do... indeed, improving the dynamics. Because G-Steering strongly increases the external rotation speed by blocking the internal one. The result is practically a manageable drift. Result? Between trees and tracks, this mastodon would turn in the space of a handkerchief.
The Diesel Warranty
Next up was a 450d, with its 367 bhp, but above all, with all the strength and grandeur of a design that transcends eras and eras (which may be a slogan, but when you approach the mural with the history of the models from 1979 to the present day, you realise how true it is).
The Twist station inside the Graz Centre
Words aside, it's only by driving that you realise what it means to have a "G-Class" on your hands: with the diesel we face a twist with decidedly deep ruts. Manually manage the "locks" on three different levels (front, rear, or all locked with the 50:50 split, of course), and the fun begins.
With the G450d, we tackled climbs and descents through rocks, yes, but also inclines of up to over 30°. All this borders on the notion that, with vehicles like this, the limit lies with the driver.
Get up to speed with the G:
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