Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² Showcar

Mercedes-Benz have unveiled details on the new Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4², which they're calling a near-production show car. It's basically the mega 6x6 double cab pickup but with a wagon body and a 'traditional' two axle setup instead.

Those massive wheels you see are 22 inchers wrapped with 325/55R22 tyres. The show car uses a portal axle setup which allows it high ground clearance without the driveshafts getting into the way. The axle is basically above the wheel centre, drive is transferred to the centre of the wheel hub via gears. Its ground clearance of 450 mm is a full 240 mm more than a regular G500. In addition, there are stainless steel under guards to protect the undercarriage.

Under the hood is a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 derived from the one in the Mercedes-AMG GT and the C 63. It produces 422 horsepower and 610 Nm of torque in this application, allowing the 2,980 kg wagon to hit a top speed of 210 km/h. We think we'll see this engine used in Mercedes-Benz's future '500' variants instead of the current 4.7 litre.

The engine is Euro 6 compliant - speaking of emissions, the car uses twin sidepipes on both sides ahead of the rear wheels, which Mercedes-Benz says improves off-road capability as well as there are none of the usual rear silencers which could restrict departure angle.