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Update: Mercedes adds G55 AMG to facelifted G-Class range

 
28 5,672 views June 6, 2008

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Update: Mercedes adds G55 AMG to facelifted G-Class range

Update: Mercedes adds G55 AMG to facelifted G-Class range

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Updated: Less than a week after the updated G-Class range was first revealed, Mercedes-Benz has taken the covers off its new 2009 G55 AMG performance SUV. Like the regular G-Class fleet, the new model sports a 5.5L V8 engine but thanks to the addition of a supercharger and a new ECU power is bumped up from 500hp in the previous version to an E63-rivaling 507hp. Torque has also been boosted to 700Nm.

Performance numbers remain unchanged with the new model accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and reaching an electronically limited top speed of 210km/h. Changes include an updated electronic stability control system, new 19in alloy wheels with 275mm rubber and new interior trim.

Original: Mercedes-Benz has updated a model that has been in production for 29 years and remains nearly identical to the original 1979 version. The model is the G-Class off-roader, short for Geländewagen (cross-country vehicle), and despite being the longest-serving passenger vehicle in Mercedes’ 122 year history the SUV is subject to continual updating to keep it in touch with the latest in technology.

While the exterior has largely been left untouched, the car has received several major updates to its telematics and engine lineup. From the outside, the newest generation of the G-Class can be identified by its restyled, three-fin radiator grille, with the G500 sporting new-look 18in light-alloy wheels as an additional distinguishing feature.

The model range continues to comprise three different body variants (short-wheelbase wagon, long-wheelbase wagon and cabriolet), which are either powered by a 3.2L V6 CDI engine generating 224hp (165 kW) 540Nm or a new 5.5L V8 petrol unit with an output of 388hp (285kW) and 530Nm of torque. This new V8 is enough to propel the heavy G‑Class from 0 to 100 km/h is completed in just 5.9 seconds.

The latest edition of the G-Class is also equipped with new Bluetooth handsfree, a new hard-drive based media interface that allows an external music storage device to be linked up, a dual-tuner stereo and an updated COMAND system with voice-activation.

2009 G55 AMG

2009 G-Class facelift
2009 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

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Comments (28)

  1. By Roy Posted: 6/1/2008 1:50am PDT

    Why? Why? Why?
     
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  2. By Raptor Posted: 6/1/2008 3:48am PDT

    Em.. what is this? An off road vehicle that looks like a box with wheels and has 18 inch alloys and über stereo system?
    That's perfect if you have enough money and no idea what kind of cars do you like.
     
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  3. By vb Posted: 6/1/2008 3:53am PDT

    Well it's still one of the best cars you can buy for offroading. Of course all that fancy entertainment stuff is for people who don't know what they want or people who want to have at least a little bit of fun ON the road, for which this is not the best car you can buy. ;)
     
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  4. By STIG Posted: 6/1/2008 7:46am PDT

    G-Wagen is the best off-road vehicle in the world
    even it look almost identical to the first G-wagen
    but it is fabulous , gorgeous and for sure it is so sporty ... for me
     
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  5. By InkMaster Posted: 6/1/2008 9:06am PDT

    vb, please.... its a joke for "offroading" any you know it. I mean maybe if your defenition of offroading is going over grass 20 meters from the road then this will be all jolly, but for anything more then that its just a big overweight shoebox. If you're actually looking to do some serious offroading I think you'd be a fool to get this; even the base model wrangler would be a tons better choice then this...
     
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  6. By CK Posted: 6/1/2008 9:25am PDT

    And even after this long time Merc can't build them in a way that they don't start to rust after a few years ;)

    @InkMaster
    The people here are not talking about going offroad with a G55 AMG. There are other models especially the short wheelbase models that are great for places with even no roads at all. So this car is indeed one the best offroad cars of our time.
     
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  7. By Ivan Posted: 6/1/2008 2:30pm PDT

    If you want to stay classy and have off road vehicle, ger Land Rover Defender. It's really legendary car, designed to take you where no one else could. Just look it up.

    One of the reasons MB keeps Geländewagen, it because it's largely square, hence ideal to be armored vehicle. A lot of clients who have this car, armor it.
     
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  8. By anthony Posted: 6/1/2008 2:41pm PDT

    Love it or hate it I think the G-Wagon is one of the most original looking vehicles on the road today!
     
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  9. By john Posted: 6/1/2008 4:49pm PDT

    Inkmaster you dont what your talking about, after all these years this is still one of, if not the best offroaders out there.
     
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  10. By InkMaster Posted: 6/2/2008 7:55pm PDT

    john,

    http://www.folio101.com/canyonrunners/images/offroad1.jpg

    You think this shoebox could do that?

    :)
     
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  11. By chris Posted: 6/6/2008 9:51am PDT

    wait.. they added forced induction for a 1% power boost?
     
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  12. By Gus Posted: 6/6/2008 10:01am PDT

    Some vehicles are so obviously targeted for one specific market, where a bunch of incredibly wealthy fools have to have the latest and greatest product to go chasing around the dunes in...
     
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  13. By admin Posted: 6/6/2008 10:20am PDT

    OMG Fiddy Cent and Jay-Z have them in their videos so I must buy one too!

    Not.
     
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  14. By chris Posted: 6/6/2008 10:49am PDT

    hahaha, see guys,.. find me an other forum where you get posts like

    "OMG Fiddy Cent and Jay-Z have them in their videos so I must buy one too!

    Not."

    from some user named "admin". but no, seriously admin; the way the article reads, the engine had 500 hp, and then they chipped it and boosted it to 507. that doesnt seem right
     
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  15. By roman Posted: 6/6/2008 12:53pm PDT

    You haters are just jealous that you cant afford one. the top gear episode on this car is great, this is and always will be one of the coolest looking suv's out there
     
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  16. By Gus Posted: 6/6/2008 1:51pm PDT

    roman's real name is "yo doggy G-money".
     
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  17. By roman Posted: 6/6/2008 2:54pm PDT

    gus i dont listen rap music.
     
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  18. By Gus Posted: 6/6/2008 7:40pm PDT

    Then you must be from Dubai... :)
     
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  19. By InkMaster Posted: 6/6/2008 9:32pm PDT

    roman, whatwhat now? "looking" its a BOX ffs :/ even the new whale-of-a-infiniti-FX its tons prettier then this
     
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  20. By Roman Posted: 6/7/2008 1:36am PDT

    Will my family has a place in dubai and don't worry gus and inkmaster im used to jealousy from guys like you. so im not going to take your opinions seriously
     
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  21. By Shawn Posted: 6/7/2008 1:43am PDT

    Will i think this car only looks good in dark colors horrible in light, but if you have a black g55 with a chrome brush guard, there is no denying that is a classy vehicle, regardless of what guys like gus say.
     
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  22. By Gus Posted: 6/7/2008 10:03am PDT

    By responding it shows you care...thanks! :)

    There's no denying this is just an extremely well made, capable, ugly, box.
     
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  23. By Gus Posted: 6/7/2008 10:04am PDT

    And I KNEW there was a Dubai connection! "Nuff said...
     
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  24. By Renton Posted: 6/20/2008 6:26am PDT

    Inkmaster..

    That CJ is not a fair comparo and you know it. That Jeep is not even street legal.

    Stock Wrangler vs stock G-wagen, that is a fair contest. The G-wagen can do all the Jeep can do and be cooler and more competent on the highways.

    Why the hatin? Jeeps rule but these are amazing too.
     
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  25. By Marcus Posted: 6/22/2008 10:03am PDT

    I love the G55 we have a 05 Grand Edition I can't wait for this one to come out !
     
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  26. By yavy Posted: 6/27/2008 7:30am PDT

    guys,the g55 is one of d classiest cars of our time...and it will still be...loooong after we ar gone!
     
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  27. ma_Big B avatar Big B Posted: 4/6/2009 6:50pm PDT

    I believe that it is very difficult to rationally compare the G class to any other vehicle made..... especially when it appears that not all have had the pleasure of owning or even driving such a fine vehicle.

    Is the Jeep Wrangler a great off road vehicle? Some might say yes and they would be somewhat right in doing so, but what needs to be taken into account is that for the most part a grand amount of people don't start "off roading" out of their driveway. In other words.... You have to get there... and that's on paved roads.

    Put 5 people in a Wrangler and see how long it takes to get to 65 mph. With 1000 pounds of "human" inside the Wrangler it doesn't seem to have the ability to get out of it's own way ... let alone safely enter highspeed traffic from an on ranp. Oh! I also own a Rubicon and just am not talking out of my hat.

    I dare say that should any Jeep Loyalist ever get the chance to drive a "G" for any period of time they would surely say that the Mercedes G was a much finer vehicle in every aspect.

    Now! Should there be those who still insist on attempting to compare the "G" to anything else on the road then you are wasting your time.
     
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  28. By sam Posted: 5/15/2010 1:30pm PDT

    Coolest car ever made end of. all the people who dont like these things have never been in one the sound off the 55 is imense, i have taken a 500 cab on a rally through africa all the landys fell apart just the best kit for everything, top gear summed this car up perfectly , 'looks right wherever you are '
     
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