Photo: Daimler AG/ Image Edited by autoevolution
In the last couple of years, the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class has not only remained the oldest three-pointed star vehicle in production, but sales have also tripled compared to four or five years ago.
Sure, the current model has an all new interior, new engines and transmissions and it has also borrowed some of the comfort and safety features from its much younger brothers, but in essence we are still talking about a vehicle that was initially designed to be used by the military back in 1972.
In other words, to keep it somewhat fresh, Mercedes-Benz has operated a number of mild facelifts over the years, but each time the heart and soul of the G-Wagen has remained the same.
Well, if recent Internet reports are to be believed, the biggest G-Class facelift of them all is currently in the planning, with 2017 being the year when we will check out an almost all-new G-Wagen.
Since we are some of the model's biggest fans and hadn't received any information regarding this supposed extensive refresh, we started to do a bit of digging to find the original source for this wonderful news.
Not unexpectedly, the original report came from Autocar and it was written by their usual “Mercedes-Benz insider” Greg Kable, who is known as being full of hot air regarding most of his so-called “scoops”.
Just to give you an example, Mr. Kable keeps informing his readers that the upcoming AMG GT (C190) is going to be manufactured in Affalterbach, on the same production lines where the SLS AMG is being made until this Summer.
Well, guess what, Mr. All-Knowing Insider, the SLS AMG was never built in Affalterbach, but in Sindelfingen. In fact, the aluminium space-frame body of the modern Gullwing is made in Austria by Magna Steyr, while the epic M159 engine is made in Affalterbach by AMG, after which they travel by train and become the SLS AMG in Sindelfingen, where the oldest and the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz factories is based.
Now, getting back to the downright lie that the G-Class is getting its internal structure completely reworked to receive a wider body, new front suspension, new steering and aluminium panels instead of steel, please allow us to shout “bull****!”
As some of you know, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is to be manufactured in its current form at least until 2019, as that is when the current manufacturing contract with Magna Steyr is set to expire. There will definitely be a major G-Class refresh until that date, but nothing that would need the complete retooling of the factory in Graz or the creation of new suspension, steering and chassis for a car that is sold in supercar numbers.
In other words, to keep it somewhat fresh, Mercedes-Benz has operated a number of mild facelifts over the years, but each time the heart and soul of the G-Wagen has remained the same.
Well, if recent Internet reports are to be believed, the biggest G-Class facelift of them all is currently in the planning, with 2017 being the year when we will check out an almost all-new G-Wagen.
Since we are some of the model's biggest fans and hadn't received any information regarding this supposed extensive refresh, we started to do a bit of digging to find the original source for this wonderful news.
Not unexpectedly, the original report came from Autocar and it was written by their usual “Mercedes-Benz insider” Greg Kable, who is known as being full of hot air regarding most of his so-called “scoops”.
Just to give you an example, Mr. Kable keeps informing his readers that the upcoming AMG GT (C190) is going to be manufactured in Affalterbach, on the same production lines where the SLS AMG is being made until this Summer.
Well, guess what, Mr. All-Knowing Insider, the SLS AMG was never built in Affalterbach, but in Sindelfingen. In fact, the aluminium space-frame body of the modern Gullwing is made in Austria by Magna Steyr, while the epic M159 engine is made in Affalterbach by AMG, after which they travel by train and become the SLS AMG in Sindelfingen, where the oldest and the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz factories is based.
Now, getting back to the downright lie that the G-Class is getting its internal structure completely reworked to receive a wider body, new front suspension, new steering and aluminium panels instead of steel, please allow us to shout “bull****!”
As some of you know, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is to be manufactured in its current form at least until 2019, as that is when the current manufacturing contract with Magna Steyr is set to expire. There will definitely be a major G-Class refresh until that date, but nothing that would need the complete retooling of the factory in Graz or the creation of new suspension, steering and chassis for a car that is sold in supercar numbers.
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