Mercedes-Benz G550 To Downsize To Twin-Turbo 4.0-Liter V-8

In an effort to curb the emissions on its G-Class, Mercedes-Benz will replace the current 5.5-liter V-8 in the G550 variant (a G500 in other markets) with a smaller yet more powerful 4.0-liter mill. The information was confirmed to Dutch website Autovisie by Wolf-Dieter Kurz, who is in charge of SUVs at the German automaker.

Kurz said the switch to the new engine will be made by the end of the year, suggesting we could see it offered on the 2016 G550 here in the U.S. The move is crucial in ensuring the G-Class range meets planned Euro 6 emission standards coming into effect next year.

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The 4.0-liter mill in question is none other than the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 built by the Mercedes-AMG performance division, something the automaker alluded to when it rolled out the G500 4x4² concept at last month’s 2015 Geneva Motor Show.