- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
3.0DT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
135kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
NA
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Professional first drive review
We're gonna need a bigger hill.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Professional, otherwise known as the G300 CDI Cab Chassis, has just climbed its way up a near vertical ascent that is deeply rutted and hurdled over several large rocks in the path. But it could have been a paved driveway based on the ease the G-Professional steadily pulled itself up.
But that's what this car was built for - going absolutely anywhere. Or more accurately, going anywhere it is needed. This is, after all, the same vehicle chosen by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA), so it needs to be tough and dependable.
As the name implies, it is a version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which is a more common sight on the road in its AMG guise. But whereas the G63 is a study in style of substance, an aging off-roader with too much power and not enough manners for the urban jungle, the G-Professional is the opposite - no style, all substance.
Still based on the same basic design from 1979 the G-Pro has been made available to civilians and private and government fleets in Australia following its successful deployment with the ADF. Mercedes Australia is offering the G-Pro in Cab Chassis form, with a wagon variant expected to join sometime in 2017.
This makes it a unique vehicle for Australia, as no other country takes the Cab Chassis, but Mercedes is confident that it will find a market for approximately 200 vehicles each year. So far 100 have been delivered to the ADF, CFA, ACT Parks, Queensland Parks and Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Forest Fire Management.
Starting at $119,900 plus on-road costs, before the additional cost of installing whatever hardware owners want on the back, the G-Professional isn't cheap. But it is well equipped for hard work with a bull bar, headlight protection, snorkel, extended door mirrors, underbody protection, front and rear tow hooks and 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres.
Under the bonnet is Mercedes' dependable 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel that produces 135kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It is paired to a five-speed automatic transmission as standard; no manual option is available.
Unfortunately Mercedes' doesn't offer a fuel economy rating for the G-Professional, however the G350d wagon uses the same engine and returns a claimed 9.9-litres per 100km. However, that model gets a more efficient seven-speed automatic, so don't expect to see single digits.
The secret to its off-road abilities is the four-wheel drive system that incorporates three locking differentials.
In terms of raw numbers the G-Pro boasts a 38-degree approach angle, 22-degrees ramp over and a 35-degree departure angle. Ground clearance is 252mm and it has a wading depth of 650mm.
As for the payload, it can haul an impressive 2085kg and has a gross vehicle mass of 4490kg.
Towing isn't its strength though, with a maximum braked towing capacity of 2210kg and 750kg unbraked.
All of those elements combine to make it so capable off-road. We drove downstream in a river, climbed up and down hills - and any other obstacle we could find - without any difficulty.
But all this off-road capability comes at the cost of a basic cabin and on-road performance. The G-Pro interior hasn't changed much from the beginning (certainly the headlining looks like it is straight from the '70s) with rudimentary controls and hard materials throughout. There are even holes in the floor to drain the cabin if you have to wash it out.
The lack of padding around the interior became apparent during some of the more rugged off-road moments, with elbows and knees susceptible to being bashed about.
The air-conditioning, which uses old-fashioned chunky dials and levers, struggled the keep the car cool on a warm Melbourne day too. Which meant repeatedly winding down the windows, using the old-fashioned window winders; the only Mercedes to still have them.
The only nod to comfort is an aftermarket Alpine stereo head unit that has been grafted into the dashboard. But the significant engine and road noise means the stereo has to work hard to be heard.
There is limited adjustment for the seat and steering but you do get a good view out the wide windscreen.
Ultimately though the G-Pro's limitations on-road and dated interior won't be turn-offs to those who Mercedes' is targeting with this model - which is only a small part of the market, 200 sales per year would keep Benz happy.
Its only direct competition comes from the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Cab Chassis, the top-spec GXL is $66,490 (plus-on-road costs) and can tow more (3500kg braked) but has a payload of only 1225kg.
For those who want a seriously capable off-road machine, that is ready carry a heavy load, then the G-Professional is hard to beat, even at its hefty entry price.
2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Professional pricing and specifications
On sale: Now
Price: From $119,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Power: 135kW
Torque: 400Nm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Fuel use: N/A