how the G- will looklike in the future ?

YUCK! :evil:

well I like it. I am just thinking where I can put my winches??

Hmmm...

If they expect me to buy it, it has to have some serious capabilities. It would have to climb 100% gradient with ease (VW Toureg can do it) and if it does have air suspension the capability to do that in its highest setting. Can you have air suspension and solid axles?? That would be very interesting, should be able to get some good axle articulation out of that! A short wheel base and long is a must, with a ladder chassis, and prefereably not quite as tall and a lower center of gravity, so it can traverse even greater lateral slopes, +60%. They should hide an attachment point behind the number plate for winches and pulling etc, like the early 463's. The front and rear bumpers should be made from steel and the option of fitting guard bars under the front and rear bumpers, the G55 has one under it's front bumper. Departure and approach angles should definitely be more than a G at the suspensions highest setting, rear axle a bit closer to the back than a G. Coid suspension should be standard on the low end models with option of upgradin to, or down from air suspension(like the Toureg). High and low transfer case, same sort of ratios as the G. Six speed auto and manual gearboxes. NOT too much plastic, maybe a strip at the widest point running along the side, in case you get up close and peronal to something! The option for a bull bar which includes guard grills over the lights. The back of the body should NOT slope down, we load lots of stuff into our G's and like the constant height of the roof. Same sort of Tow bar as a G (one piece, can't remember what its called), that can support the weight of the car if you hit the ground at a departure from a drop. Steering guard that is magic and drops with the air supension, so it always covers the steering arms at any height! , Wading depth at the highest suspension setting should be as high as it can be before it floats away! both the 320 and 400CDI engines should be options. Interior, is up to MB, the option of downgrading to vary basic interior should be there. Rubber floor mats and seat covers offered as accessories, and maybe even a CB aerial attachment point. And if they can be this clever.., when your off roading, a computer or something will automatically increase (never decrease) the height of the air suspension if it thinks your gonna roll laterally, with the option to switch this off (this may be a silly idea, but none the less an idea). Same wheel bolt pattern and size as the G, it will save them and us money! 16x7, 18x9 and 20x9 inch rim sizes, very strong and durable. And of course all way differential locks, they might aswell keep them, MB can always use them in other vehicles. Any other electro gizmos mercedes want to add is ok, as long as they ALL switch off when you start using the diffs. Have I missed aything?!?! :D

Adrian.

P.S. maybe a digital TV tuner and DAB radio would be good to....

Nice one, you tell em !!...........................

Looks ok to me, it's certainly no replacement for the G though. What i don't like is the low driving position, or more accurately the high waste line. Surely a genuine off roader needs good close up vision, like the current G where you practically look down onto the bonnet and have unhindered vision relatively close to the vehicle.
Why Mercedes feel they need another poncy 4x4 alongside the ML class is beyond me. Let them do want with the ML range and keep the G class rugged and practical.

I knew I would miss something, They make the thing In RIGHT HAND DRIVE!!!!!!

I believe the problem with MB is that they want to continue building the G but they can't. Magna Steyr has told DC that they want the premises currently used to make the GWagen to contract-build other, more profitable cars (like the Chrysler Voyager, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the E-Class 4Matic and others). The current contract runs out in 2005 so that's why DC is preparing the ground with a totally new- and cr@p G-Wagen.

I understand that they still need to continue building the military version somewhere due to the commitments they hold with a number of NATO armies. My gut feeling is that it may be Salonika or even India, depending how they balance the quality/labour costs issues.

They are moving it to the states. Vance if I am not mistaken...

They are moving it to the states. Vance if I am not mistaken...

Yes, the new G (well, that dreadful thing that they now call the new G) is almost certainly goinf to be made at Vance. The question is where is MB (if anywhere at all) going to produce the current G after 2006?