Sources in Germany have confirmed Mercedes-Benz Australia is in discussions with head office about adding a diesel version of the recently refreshed G-Class, the Mercedes-Benz G 450d, to its local lineup.
The G 450d would join the facelifted AMG G 63 and all-new electric G 580 with EQ Technology, and possibly the new six-cylinder petrol-powered G 500, bringing the total number of G-Class models offered here to three or four.
Currently, the only G-Class model on sale in Australia is the G 63, priced at just over $384,000 before on-road costs.
The G 450d has a mild-hybrid powertrain anchored around a 3.0-litre inline six turbo-diesel. The engine develops 270kW of power at 4000rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1350rpm to 2800rpm.
An electric motor mounted between the engine and the nine-speed automatic transmission delivers an additional 15kW and 200Nm on demand.
That compares with the 330kW at 6100rpm and 560Nm from 1950rpm to 5500rpm developed by the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six petrol engine powering the new mild-hybrid G 500. As with the G 450d, its electric motor can provide an extra 15kW/200Nm boost.
The new G 500 replaces the V8-powered model of the same name. The new G 500’s inline six-cylinder engine develops eight percent more power than the outgoing V8’s 310kW figure, but six percent less torque than its 610Nm output.
Mercedes says the 200Nm on demand from mild-hybrid system’s e-motor more than compensates for that, and that overall, the new G 500 is more fuel efficient than the outgoing model.
But after driving both models back-to-back recently in France, we can say the G 450d is definitively the better G-Class.
It might have less power than the G 500, but at 5.8 seconds it’s just four tenths of a second slower to 100km/h and has the same 210km/h top speed. And, according to the WLTP test results, it uses 18 to 20 per cent less fuel than the petrol model.
On the road, the diesel’s 34 per cent more torque makes the G 450d more responsive at low speeds, and more relaxed at cruising speeds than the G 500. It’s also better off road, with that mountain of torque low in the rev range again helping it crawl effortlessly over rough terrain.
Overall, the G 450d is smoother and quieter and feels more refined than the G 500, which suffers from a slight, but noticeable, exhaust drone under light throttle.
What makes the G 450d an even more compelling alternative to the G 500 is that it’s the least expensive of the new G Class range.
In Germany, the G 450d costs seven per cent less than the G 500 and 35 percent less than the refreshed G 63. That suggests the G 450d could have an Australian market price of about $250,000.
A decision on whether Mercedes-Benz Australia will take the G 450d is expected to be made within the next few weeks.
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