Another Mercedes G 500 4×4² has found its end this weekend, following a gruesome off-road incursion gone bad. The 226.100 euros mega 4×4 flipped over from the very top of a steep hill and landed on its roof. No portal axles, no permanent all-wheel drive, not even the slick off-road reduction in the transfer case and three lockable differentials could not save T-Rex from its sad demise.
Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine, the less potent version of the famed motor used by Mercedes’ latest supercar, the AMG GT. In fact, the G500 4×4² is the first Mercedes-Benz model to receive the standard version of the German car maker’s new twin-turbocharged four-valve-per-cylinder 4.0-litre V8 direct injection petrol engine. The 90-degree unit churns out 416 HP. A seven-speed 7G-tronic automatic gearbox works in tandem with the specially-developed 4×4 system, channeling the power permanently to all four wheels. The G500 4×4² features a separate transfer case, high and low-ratio gearing and three mechanical differential locks that can be operated on the move.
In therms of chassis, the G500 4×4² has inherited from its bigger 6×6 brother the complex axle geometry. A set of specially engineered portal axles in which the transverse tube is positioned above the center of the wheel hub provide a whopping 450mm of ground clearance. New dual strut spring and damper units are featured as well, with adjustable damping control in two modes: comfort and sport. As a result, the approach and departure angles have been increased from 36 and 27 degrees to a respective 52 and 54 degrees, while fording depth is up from 600mm to 1000mm and the tipping angle increases from 28 to 30 degrees.
Mercedes-Benz suggests the new G500 4×4² will crack 62mph from standstill in 6.5sec, run to a top speed of 130mph in combination with the optional 22-inch wheel and tyre package and 100mph with the optional off-road rubber. Like G 63 AMG 6×6, G 500 4×4² has special tires: mud/terrain tires in size 37 x 12.5 x 18 inch which can be deflate to a minimum 1.0 bar for travel on sand.
