Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
If you’ve been keeping a close eye on our website for the past week or so, you’ve probably noticed that all the spy shots have the same, white background.
Yes, it has been snowing pretty much all over the northern half of Europe, so that information doesn’t really narrow down the possible locations where these cars are being put through their paces, but we can tell you that they’re all shot more or less in the same area, as all manufacturers are now focusing on cold weather tests.
Now, when you hear somebody speak about an armored Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the kind of car that comes to mind is a luxurious SUV that looks just like a normal one on the outside, only it can survive bomb blasts and .50-cal bullets. This one, though, is a little special.
Mercedes-Benz has a long history of working together with Magna Steyr, an Austrian company that has been assembling the G-Class ever since 1979. Now, it would appear the company’s military expertise is being put to good use once again, as it’s developing an armored military version of the G-Class SUV.
By the looks of it, the Light Armored Patrol Vehicle is based on the chassis of the G500 4x4^2, the clear giveaway being that the LAPV also uses portal axles. This feature sees the axle moved higher than the center of the wheels with help from hub-mounted gears, further enhancing the car’s already impressive off-road capabilities.
Since this is a military project, there are no details about the car’s specs such as armor thickness, engine power or dynamic performances. As the name suggests, the vehicle’s main role will be reconnaissance, and we’re assuming it will also receive some sort of mounted weapon when it goes into service.
The car has an angled front bumper that gives it excellent approaching angles, a winch and a snorkel, for deep river bed crossing. While the interior remains hidden, the LAPV can probably double as an armored troop carrier, with a maximum capacity of eight, if we were to guess.
Regardless of the engine choice, this car will surely be one of the fastest and most maneuverable vehicles in any of this world’s militaries, and one of the best looking as well. Not to mention it’s a god damn Mercedes-Benz.
Now, when you hear somebody speak about an armored Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the kind of car that comes to mind is a luxurious SUV that looks just like a normal one on the outside, only it can survive bomb blasts and .50-cal bullets. This one, though, is a little special.
Mercedes-Benz has a long history of working together with Magna Steyr, an Austrian company that has been assembling the G-Class ever since 1979. Now, it would appear the company’s military expertise is being put to good use once again, as it’s developing an armored military version of the G-Class SUV.
By the looks of it, the Light Armored Patrol Vehicle is based on the chassis of the G500 4x4^2, the clear giveaway being that the LAPV also uses portal axles. This feature sees the axle moved higher than the center of the wheels with help from hub-mounted gears, further enhancing the car’s already impressive off-road capabilities.
Since this is a military project, there are no details about the car’s specs such as armor thickness, engine power or dynamic performances. As the name suggests, the vehicle’s main role will be reconnaissance, and we’re assuming it will also receive some sort of mounted weapon when it goes into service.
The car has an angled front bumper that gives it excellent approaching angles, a winch and a snorkel, for deep river bed crossing. While the interior remains hidden, the LAPV can probably double as an armored troop carrier, with a maximum capacity of eight, if we were to guess.
Regardless of the engine choice, this car will surely be one of the fastest and most maneuverable vehicles in any of this world’s militaries, and one of the best looking as well. Not to mention it’s a god damn Mercedes-Benz.
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