G-Wagen on the horizon
09 March 2005 While the new M-Class is a five-seater only, the forthcoming G-Wagen will - like the R-Class luxury MPV - ride on a stretched version of the M-Class's platform and be able to cater for up to seven passengers. You can expect engines from the M-Class range to provide the power, so there are likely to be 3.5-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 petrols and 3.0-litre V6 and 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesels. Mercedes has yet to confirm whether the M-Class's optional air suspension and off-road pack will be available in the G-Wagen, but all versions should feature its seven-speed automatic gearbox. While the outgoing G-Wagen is only available as a rough and ready left-hand-drive special import, the new model will be much plusher and will become a fully fledged, right-hand-drive member of the Mercedes family in the UK. It will go on sale in 2006 and compete with established seven-seat rivals such as the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90, while forthcoming models such as the Audi Q7 and a seven-seat version of the next BMW X5 will also be in its sights. Prices have not been confirmed, but it won't come cheap. Even the entry-level version isn't likely to leave much change from £40,000. |
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