2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4×4² Squared Caught Testing In The Snow

If the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is the ultimate expression of luxury off-roading, the G550 4×4² takes it to another level. As at home in the Amazon as it is on Rodeo Drive, Mercedes is finally updating the even more off-road-ready off-roader.
 

The G550 4×4² (or G500 if you’re outside of America) went on sale for the first time in 2015 and was immediately dubbed the “Extreme G.” But even though the G-Class was updated in 2018, the 4×4² has been languishing on the old platform.
 

Fortunately for fans of fancy off-roaders, Mercedes has finally gotten around to updating its popular lifted truck. It’s being reported in Germany that unlike its predecessor, the new model will be marketed under the AMG label, something that while not officially confirmed, is supported by certain details such as the front apron and the side emblems that are masked off on the prototypes.
 

The biggest improvement that will bring is the upgraded chassis and the new interior. Although the old one was impressive, its infotainment system was starting to look old. The new G-Class’s interior, on the other hand, would look just as at home in an S-Class as it does way up high in the new truck.
 

That will be a good thing because the previous-generation G550 4×4² started at around $200,000. For that, you got a twin-turbo V8 making 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, a seven-speed automatic transmission, three locking diffs, and special axles with dual springs and shock damper struts at all four corners. That gave you 16.1-inches of ground clearance and a 0-60 sprint in less than six seconds.
 
Unfortunately, details on the new model that may or may not bear the G63 moniker are still slim, but the camouflaged wheel arches would suggest that this model will be widened like the old one. Its ride height also suggests that it has been raised considerably and the big brakes suggest that power will, again, be ample.
 

That power is expected to come from another V8, but it will be interesting to see how much power AMG chooses to supply it with. The photographer who took these pictures reports that these test vehicles were making an awful racket, so it doesn’t sound like Mercedes have gone all reasonable on us.
 
Although we don’t have an official launch date yet, we expect the new G-Class 4×4² to be revealed before the year is out.