Just last year Mercedes-Benz unveiled its most rugged off-road version of its G-Class to date, the G500 4×4². Unfortunately for U.S. buyers, it was never available in the States.
However, Mercedes has just announced that the 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 4×4² will be available stateside. The vehicle is a four-wheeled version of the behemoth Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6 six-wheeler, which also is not available in the States.
Although Mercedes removed a pair of wheels for this model, it’s still plenty powerful and equipped with the same advanced off-road hardware as the 6×6. Drivers will find portal axles under the impressive bodywork leading to more than 17 inches of clearance.
Mercedes’ powerful G550 4×4² sports a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. All that power is connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and the four-wheel drive system can split torque 50/50 from the front to rear.
Even though the vehicle looks like its ready for the apocalypse, it’s still a Mercedes and thus still luxurious inside with an infotainment system complete with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and navigation system.
Set to go on sale early next year, it’s believed that the latest G-Class will start somewhere north of $120,000.