What the hell is this thing?
It's a Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x42.
Why on Earth has Mercedes decided to build this?
It hasn't... yet. This is a show car, scheduled for Geneva, which is 'near production-ready'. It will get the green light if Mercedes reckons the public reception is feverish enough.
I'm not sure I like it. But do tell me more.
If you recall the monstrous G 63 AMG 6x6, then you'll know from whence the G 500 4x42 gets most of its hardware - including the portal axles that allow for those gigantic 22-inch wheels, the crazy carbon fibre wheelarches (which are removable) and the sort of ground clearance that wouldn't disgrace a Boeing 747.
How much better off road can it be than a regular G-Wagen?
It has been a long time since anyone called it a G-Wagen officially, we'll have you know. Anyway, compared to a G 500 Long Wheelbase, the 4x42 is pretty capable. Top Trumps-esque stats are: ground clearance of 450mm instead of 210mm; approach/departure angles front-to-rear of 52o and 54o, versus 36o and 27o; a breakover angle of 47o compared to 21o; and the ability to wade through water of 1,000mm depth, rather than a 'mere' 600mm.
What is powering this brute?
A 4.0-litre biturbo V8 rated at 422hp. With a 'hot inside V' configuration for the turbos, it's extremely similar to the engine found in the Mercedes-AMG GT supercar, yet no one is admitting as much. It is EU6 compliant but Mercedes hasn't given details on performance or economy. Although it is proud to point out the extravagant side-exit exhausts on either flank of the G 500 4x42.
Is the interior suitably tasteless?
Umm, it's finished in black leather (mostly) with contrast white stitching, with diamond-quilted hide for the seat bases, door panels, rooflining and pillars. So it's quite restrained, actually, compared to the bodywork.
One final thing - are they LED lights above the windscreen?
Yes. Yes, they are.
Matt Robinson - 20 Feb 2015