"Yo, dude. Is that like a Hummer?"
It was a question we heard several times from those who couldn't quite place the G550's purposeful demeanor and square-rigged bod. "No, dude, not like a Hummer" I replied. "The H2 is a previous-generation Chevy Tahoe in drag. This is a Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen. The real deal, not a cartoon caricature. Originally designed for the Austrian military about 30 years ago. Goes freaking anywhere."
2009 marks the G-Wagen's (officially the G-Class in 'Benz-speak) 30th anniversary, and along with the Land Rover Defender, is one of the last old-school, military-derived vehicles that a civilian can still buy. The original G came to market in 1979, although it wasn't officially sold in the US until 2002 (a private New Mexico-based company certified and imported quite a few of them up until that time). There have been several body styles and countless powertrain offerings, depending on the need, the market, and the decade. Today's G-Class is an expensive, limited-production piece. You've probably seen them in paparazzi shots, as they're popular with guys like Brad Pitt. Arnold Schwarzenegger owned several prior to taking his current job. How to best describe one to neophytes? Tell them to visualize a four-wheel-drive bank vault.
Mercedes has given the G-Class a mild makeover in celebration of its 30th birthday. The previous G500 was powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 backed by a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 model becomes the G550, courtesy of the new-generation 5.5-liter V-8. It gurgles out 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque and is teamed with Mercedes' state-of-the-art seven-speed automatic. Talk about drivetrain: The "Gee Wagon" boasts lockable front, center, and rear diffs, plus a power-actuated high/low range transfer case. If that's not enough, spec up the G55 AMG version. With it comes a supercharged 500-horsepower engine and the best V-8 exhaust note money can buy.