Professional version to return!

[LocoCoyote]

Saw this great bit at off-road.de: seems the G professional models will return to production.

https://www.off-road.de/de/aktuell/testberichte/archiv/der-neue-g-professional/

 

[JoshN]

$90k for a stripped down version? For $85k I can get a fully loaded 200 Series Landcruiser and it will be easier to find parts for and have a luxurious comfortable interior. Doesn't seem like something to get excited about to me.

 

[haven]

Chris Cordes has a summary of the New GPro's equipment and options.
http://expeditionportal.com/new-g350d-professional-gets-back-to-basics/

No announced plans to import this vehicle to USA. Mercedes USA does sell trucks these days, something many thought would never happen. The 3.5L diesel in the GPro is not yet imported here, but the federally-certified 3.0L diesel V6 produces 90% of the HP and torque that the 3.5L does.

The 2016 G Class starts at $119K in USA, so a $90K model would find plenty of interest, even without leather upholstery. G Class and Land Cruiser both sell about 275 units a month in USA.

 

[LocoCoyote]

well, more information from MB in Germany...looks like these are actually built on W463 chassis. So, in my book it really isn't a "professional" model at all. It wasn't the lack of power windows or the rubber foot mats that made a G Professional a professional. It was the military grade, heavy duty suspension, 1 ton rated axles, dual 12/24 volt charging systems w three batteries...etc. While I applaud a more basic model in any form, I can't help but to feel a bit cheated. It kind of feels like MB is bull****ting us and just giving a few talking points on a normal G base.

 

[LocoCoyote]

$90k for a stripped down version? For $85k I can get a fully loaded 200 Series Landcruiser and it will be easier to find parts for and have a luxurious comfortable interior. Doesn't seem like something to get excited about to me.

Maybe something for the Land Cruiser forum then? I won't discuss parts availability for the G....MB is present all over the world and parts have never been a problem....enough said.


Why get excited over the return of the professional model? well, the original G Pür/Professional were based on the military grade w461 chassis. Much more heavy duty and robust than the normal consumer grade G. Three years ago the 461 based Gs were no longer sold outside of specialty markets (for example, I heard they were still available in South Africa, though I could never confirm it)

It was my hope that MB was indeed reviving this with the announcement....however, it seems that is not the case. These are actually just another version of the already available and common W463 models. Disappointed at the deception.....

 

[JoshN]

Maybe something for the Land Cruiser forum then?

Maybe, except I was really just using that to illustrate that at $90k you aren't getting a good value when there are comparably capable vehicles for less with more features (in this case I named Toyota because I am a fan and know them well). You are getting a less featured truck that is, as you have pointed out; not truly what one would hope to get with a commercial or "professional" version. I have long admired the G but only the military versions (used them in a military capacity and very impressed), but even if the unaltered military versions were offered at this price point I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger when, like I have already said, there are comparably capable and long lasting vehicles for less with more. Release the "professional" version at $50k or less; or better yet the unadulterated mil version then it would be an excellent value since at that price point capability is well below what we are looking at here for trucks available in NA.

 

[otiswesty]

Chris Cordes has a summary of the New GPro's equipment and options.
http://expeditionportal.com/new-g350d-professional-gets-back-to-basics/

"A steel front bumper with preparation for a cable winch is available as an option"

This is just a stripped down G550 (G350 Euro), I think it is pretty sweet. Wood load floor, drain plugs and manual window cranks. If you have spent a couple of afternoons changing out late 463 window regulators, you really appreciate this last one. The dash is G550 without the iPad and Command. If you can get a winch ready factory Land Cruiser with 3 lockers for under $80K then that would be a decent deal. Any new Mercedes at the $50K price point or less is going to be more of a C300 in quality and sophistication. This is much more substantial than that. Mercedes is a high priced premium vehicle brand that is not going to be aiming to compete for Jeep Rubicon customers. That is part of the appeal to many who are buying these vehicles new.

The military vehicles delivered by MB and Graz are MUCH more expensive than $50K. Military contracts come in above G63 costs on a per vehicle basis.

 

[swb]

The old W461 was available in Europe for 60,000 euro (about $US70k)
The military ones are expensive because of all the options, often bespoke per customer, and the service contracts.
Would love to know what the base W461 cost is without any extras.
Some single cab non-military W461's have come into Australia recently without even a tray on the back. That would be an awesome base to start with.

 

[ILIAN]

If these come with 16" wheels they don't have the standard G550 brakes and maybe they decided to install the HD axles and brakes of the W461. Trying to be optimistic

 

[LocoCoyote]

Well, complaining about the price of a Mercedes vehicle is irrelevant; you either are willing to pay it and feel you get appropriate value, or you don't. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Back when I was buying my W461 (2009 280 CDI), a new one modestly equipped, went for around 80000 Euros. Today you can buy nice used ones (providing you can find one and that you can convince the owner to part with it!) for around 40k. A W460 can be had for considerably less.

which is all beside the point: My point being that from these initial impressions it appears to me that MB took some cosmetic trademark items (wood floor, drain holes in the footwell, manual windows, etc) and slapped them on a W463 based vehicle and decided to pass this off as a Professional model. The important stuff seems to be missing and all we get is eye candy.

 

[LocoCoyote]

If these come with 16" wheels they don't have the standard G550 brakes and maybe they decided to install the HD axles and brakes of the W461. Trying to be optimistic

It would be nice, but I doubt it.... (trying to be pessimistic!)

 

[LocoCoyote]

Maybe, except I was really just using that to illustrate that at $90k you aren't getting a good value when there are comparably capable vehicles for less with more features (in this case I named Toyota because I am a fan and know them well). You are getting a less featured truck that is, as you have pointed out; not truly what one would hope to get with a commercial or "professional" version. I have long admired the G but only the military versions (used them in a military capacity and very impressed), but even if the unaltered military versions were offered at this price point I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger when, like I have already said, there are comparably capable and long lasting vehicles for less with more. Release the "professional" version at $50k or less; or better yet the unadulterated mil version then it would be an excellent value since at that price point capability is well below what we are looking at here for trucks available in NA.

I take your point.... but just because you can find something that is like a G and can do many of the things a G can do, doesn't mean that the extra value is not there. Let me tell a little story about two cars I drove exclusively for three years each: One was a Mitsubishi, the other a BMW. I had the BMW first and it was a sweet ride. After the initial "newness" wore off, I came to feel it was a nice car, but routine. So, three years later I get the Mitsubishi. Again, a nice car....comparable in equipment and trim levels with the BMW. But the difference in driving was noticeable. All those things I took for granted in the BMW (how it "feels" on the road, the fit of the various bits, etc) were noticeably inferior in the Mitsubishi. The driving experience was just not on the same level. It was a nice car, but it wasn't a BMW.

That is exactly how it feels (to me anyway) when I drive my G. The quality of the ride...the experience of the actual driving....is far superior to anything I felt in any of the other expedition class vehicles I have driven. Granted, I have zero experience with driving a LandCruiser...but my gut feeling is the same. Take, for example, a Defender (another vehicle I have driven a lot)... when properly driven, it can do most of what my G can do and they cost significantly less. A good, robust platform that many have used to drive around the world! Proven! But let me let you in on a little secret: they are not much fun to drive long term. Without significant modification, they are generally very uncomfortable. Short term no problem, but day in and day out driving: no thanks. The G is fun regardless of the time behind the wheel.

 

[safariguy]

Perhaps MBUSA can't bring in this model due to emissions issues?

 

[LocoCoyote]

Perhaps MBUSA can't bring in this model due to emissions issues?

Well, if it is being sold in Europe, it will have to meet Euro 6 standards...not sure how that compares with US standards.

It brings up another point, though...Euro 6 on a diesel likely means some kind of SCR system...which is a problem if you want to drive in places other than the first world


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[uzj100]

Thank you for the information. MB could have easily avoided this and called the vehicle "Pur Style Edition" or something. Even though most buyers don't really care and just want the look.

At least Porsche did not sell out when building the new 911R.