2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Benefits From New V-8, Chassis Upgrades

We recently reported that Mercedes-Benz, in an effort to curb the emissions on its G-Class, was planning to replace the current 5.5-liter V-8 in the G550 (a G500 in other markets) with a smaller yet more powerful 4.0-liter mill. Well, the German automaker has now confirmed the news while also announcing a series of other updates for the 2016 model year. Those other updates include a new suspension setup together with a more sensitive stability control system, plus some new interior and exterior options.

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The big news remains the introduction of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 in the G550 model (a G500 in other markets). The 4.0-liter mill is derived from the unit Mercedes-AMG uses for its performance models, something the automaker alluded to when it rolled out the G500 4x4² concept during March’s 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and in the G550 it pumps out 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the current G550 only musters 382 hp from its 5.5-liter V-8.

The G63 continues with its twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 but now comes with 563 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque, up from the current model’s 536 hp. And new for 2016—at least here in the States—is a V-12-powered G65, which features a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 good for 621 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. The G65 is the quickest of the bunch, needing just 5.3 seconds to sprint to 62 mph. The G63 and G550 are close behind, however, needing 5.4 and 5.9 seconds respectively to achieve the same feat.