Last November, we reported that Mercedes-Benz was mulling a hardcore, four-wheeled version of the outlandish G63 AMG 6×6. Alongside the news came a photo of a disguised car, lovably nicknamed after its lime green paint job.
The German brand has fully unveiled the vehicle sans its Nickelodeon camouflage. Christened G500 4×4² concept, the off-roader will be presented to the public for the first time in a little over a week at the Geneva Motor Show, where it will share the spotlight with the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman and the Mercedes-AMG GT 3.
As you may have gathered, the G500 4×4² is essentially the 6×6 with an axle loped off. That equates to an impressive 17.7 inches of ground clearance, Unimog-like portal axles, stainless steel skid plates, 22-inch beadlock wheels wrapped by beefy 325/55 tires and carbon fiber fender flares all around. Surprisingly, the concept rides on a totally stock G500 frame that has not been reinforced.
The concept’s approach and departure angles check in at 52- and 54-degrees, respectively, and it can comfortably drive through 39 inches of water. It stretches 88 inches tall and 81 inches wide, making it noticeably bigger in both directions than the standard G500.
Related: Mercedes-Benz celebrates racing history with decked-out ‘Mille Miglia’ SL-Class
Mercedes-Benz has not published interior pictures. However, because it’s still a G-Class you can bet on a swanky interior fitted with the likes of designo leather, Alcantara upholstery, ventilated seats and a heated windscreen. It should be perfect to keep you comfortable and warm during trips over the mountain pass but, if we’re honest, the majority of these will never see the rocky, sandy or snowy conditions they were meant for.
Power comes from a brand new 4.0-liter V8 engine that generates 422 horsepower, a generous 40-pony increase over the stock G500. Additional technical details are not available but we suspect the eight-cylinder is linked to an automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz is not shy about admitting that the G500 4×4² is a close-to-production concept, meaning it will likely spawn a production model before the end of the year. Pricing is to be determined, but it stands to reason that it will fall somewhere between the $116,200 Euro-spec G500 and the $520,000-ish G63 AMG 6×6.
Updated by Ronan Glon 2/22/15: We added new pictures and official specifications.
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