Vehicle Overview
More than one automaker would like to believe its sport utility vehicle is the “ultimate” example. Mercedes-Benz is taking a step in that direction with the new G500 (G-Class), which evolved from the no-compromises Geläendewagen that’s sold in Europe. Only 1,500 units will be available in the United States by fall 2001, with a sticker price of $72,500.
With its M-Class sport utility model on sale in the United States since 1998,
Mercedes-Benz focused largely on road-going manners. The Geläendewagen, in
contrast, is a hard-core offroad machine inspired by the demands of military
service but transformed into a high-end luxury SUV. Mercedes-Benz claims that it
will climb an 80 percent grade and remain stable on a 54 percent lateral slope.
Handcrafted in Graz, Austria, the G500 will face such competitors as the BMW X5,
Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 HSE, Lexus LX 470 and even the Hummer H1.
See also:
2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Review
The last time I was in a Mercedes-Benz diesel I was 9 years old. My mom drove
one. From inside my school classroom, I could hear her driving up the road; I
could smell it from across the street. I ...
Releasing the electric parking brake
automatically
The electric parking brake is released
automatically when the following conditions
are simultaneously fulfilled:
• the engine is running.
• the automatic transmission is in position D or R.
...
Automatic anti-glare mirrors
WARNING
If incident light from headlamps is prevented
from striking the sensor in the rear-view
mirror, for instance, by luggage piled too high
in the vehicle, the mirror's automatic antiglar ...