<Table><TABLE class=ImageBox>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV class=Image></DIV></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD class=Caption>(Photos by Hans G. Lehmann/Hidden
Image)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<H2 class=Headline>Gelaendewagen no more: Next-gen mercedes G-Class loses Brinks
truck look</H2>
<H5 class=Red></H5>
<DIV class=Byline><>BOB GRITZINGER
</DIV>
<DIV class=Date><SPAN class=FieldLabel>Posted Date: </SPAN>4/6/05</DIV>
<DIV class=Body>


<FONT size=1>Back when the first Gelaendewagen rolled off an Austrian
assembly line in 1979, the spartan military-styled sport/ute wasn’t intended for
the kind of country-club duty of today’s air-conditioned, airbag-equipped,
power-everything model. But even in the luxuriously appointed guise that
Mercedes has sold in the States since late 2001, the boxy G-Class has remained
far more utilitarian than virtually any competitor, except maybe the original
Hummer H1 and the do-anything Unimog.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>In 2006 DaimlerChrysler’s biggest, baddest bank vault of an SUV
gets replaced by the vehicle in these spy shots (which are mildly
computer-enhanced to remove minor disguise). The new G is a relatively svelte
(at least by G-Class standards) seven-seater based on a stretched version of the
same platform found under the new R- and M-Class models coming from Mercedes’
Alabama assembly plant. With the introduction of the new G, production in
Austria will end.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>To avoid disappointing fans of the sturdy 4x4, Mercedes promises
the underlying M-Class four-wheel-drive system is up to G-Class-level off-road
challenges. But the company also aims to meet the needs of its well-heeled
buyers with a special top-of-the-line package featuring maximum comfort and all
the latest electronic equipment.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>Worldwide engine offerings will include three new V8s, a 325-hp
4.6-liter and a 410-hp 5.5-liter, with a 6.3-liter V8 AMG version rumored to
boast 465 hp. The G will also get two diesels, a 231-hp V6 and a 300-hp V8, but
U.S. sales of those engines is uncertain.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>Look for the G-Class to make its world debut at next January’s
Detroit auto show.</FONT></P></DIV></Table>

<Table><TABLE class=ImageBox>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV class=Image></DIV></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD class=Caption>(Photos by Hans G. Lehmann/Hidden
Image)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<H2 class=Headline>Gelaendewagen no more: Next-gen mercedes G-Class loses Brinks
truck look</H2>
<H5 class=Red></H5>
<DIV class=Byline><>BOB GRITZINGER
</DIV>
<DIV class=Date><SPAN class=FieldLabel>Posted Date: </SPAN>4/6/05</DIV>
<DIV class=Body>


<FONT size=1>Back when the first Gelaendewagen rolled off an Austrian
assembly line in 1979, the spartan military-styled sport/ute wasn’t intended for
the kind of country-club duty of today’s air-conditioned, airbag-equipped,
power-everything model. But even in the luxuriously appointed guise that
Mercedes has sold in the States since late 2001, the boxy G-Class has remained
far more utilitarian than virtually any competitor, except maybe the original
Hummer H1 and the do-anything Unimog.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>In 2006 DaimlerChrysler’s biggest, baddest bank vault of an SUV
gets replaced by the vehicle in these spy shots (which are mildly
computer-enhanced to remove minor disguise). The new G is a relatively svelte
(at least by G-Class standards) seven-seater based on a stretched version of the
same platform found under the new R- and M-Class models coming from Mercedes’
Alabama assembly plant. With the introduction of the new G, production in
Austria will end.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>To avoid disappointing fans of the sturdy 4x4, Mercedes promises
the underlying M-Class four-wheel-drive system is up to G-Class-level off-road
challenges. But the company also aims to meet the needs of its well-heeled
buyers with a special top-of-the-line package featuring maximum comfort and all
the latest electronic equipment.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>Worldwide engine offerings will include three new V8s, a 325-hp
4.6-liter and a 410-hp 5.5-liter, with a 6.3-liter V8 AMG version rumored to
boast 465 hp. The G will also get two diesels, a 231-hp V6 and a 300-hp V8, but
U.S. sales of those engines is uncertain.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>Look for the G-Class to make its world debut at next January’s
Detroit auto show.</FONT></P></DIV></Table>

BOO

How very ML-ish of them.

It's a freakin Jeep Grand Cherokee!!!!

Stacy

I like it, it will be marketed my way I am assuming. They are just responding to the target market demand, 50% of Hummer drivers are women and not used for off-roading. It's luxurious, quiet (assuming it's like other Benz cars on the inside) and kinda pretty. And if you want to venture off the asphalt you can. They will bank guaranteed.

Maybe more women will want this new style.
I like this one better:

MB has changed the G-Wagon from a serious vehicle to just another soccer-mom psuedo SUV. WHIMP OUT.

George SSSS

Square is in! Doesn't Mercedes know that?

I agree: they f'd it up.

h2c: I thought you'd like the H3.

Whadoyoumean likecutdowncutoff nowayman!!!!?.....

I like the old one better.

Okay, so boxy is out, Femiballsy is in.

A car with Femiballs needs: (cut and paste as needed)
-to be Safe!
-space for kids
-to look like a million bucks
-space for spur of the moment sex
-not look like Martina, but play like her.

Femiballs - likin' it

More like -serve like Roddick, rebel like McEnroe and look like Kournikova

I'm really thinking it's time for this forum to have a screening process.

I never thought I'd see Femiballs on this forum.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
I never thought I'd see Femiballs on this forum. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
God knows we've seen everything else! And, having to look at someones flaming butt avatar all the time is beginning to make mine hurt. sheez!

BKLYNH2: We're just having some good clean Femifun!

I totally agree, we have seen a lot, I even read the word "blumpkin" earlier , someone's avatar is interesting, I'll fondly call it "Preparation H2"