There’s a new 4X4 in Australia: The Mercedes-Benz G-Professional. For a 4WDer, it’s very exciting: live axles, locking diffs, good ground clearance and an epic payload. In a lot of ways, this would have to take the crown of being the most capable 4WD on sale in Australia.
It’s going to be joined soon by the Mercedes-Benz X-Class 4X4 ute, which was recently revealed.
It’s based upon the G-Class Benz that Australia has been the kind recipient of for some time now, but this is the stripped-back workhorse version. Before then, the G-Class was only available as opulent and powerful wagons: the diesel G350 (worth $176,000) and the manic G63 AMG (worth $250,000).
The Mercedes-Benz G-Professional is cheaper, but is still relatively expensive. Without a tray, you’ll be paying $119,000, not including on-road costs. So if you thought the 70 Series LandCruiser was expensive, this one doest cost a little more …
What’s cool about this unit is the specs, however. From standard, included in that fairly steep purchase price, you get lots of practical accessories.
The payload is quite Herculean: a 4,495 kilogram GVM means the vehicle can handle 2,085 kilograms from tare. You’ll have to factor a tray into this, but it’s still huge. The towing capacity is a little bit more reserved, with a braked 2,210kg limit.
It’s full-time 4WD, with locking front, rear and centre differentials. Ground clearance is a very solid 245mm, along with a 38° approach, 35° departure and 22° rampover angles. Wading depth is set at 650mm.
The engine is Mercedes’ well-used three-litre V6 turbodiesel, pushing out a relatively unstressed 400Nm @ 1,600-2,000 RPM, as well as a fairly tidy 135kW @ 3,800 RPM. On top of that, the vehicle is fitted out standard with a snorkel (and cyclonic head), bullbar and scrub rails, bash plates, 16-inch alloy wheels and BF-Goodrich all-terrain tyres. Even the bonnet is heavy duty, with a 100kg load rating.
Otherwise, the G-Professional spurns leather for vinyl and rubber and sunroofs for floor plugs. It’s all about sheer practicality. Along with your mechanical aids, there are also the electronic aids of ESP, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.
It’s another turbo-diesel, live-axled and locking diff 4X4 for sale in Australia. And for that reason, we are quite happy. It’s easy to baulk at the price, but we can expect this unit to be built to an incredibly high standard.