Mid-Range Mercedes-Benz G-Class Will Get the Mercedes-AMG GT Engine
Giancarlo Perlas April 29, 2015
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class. (Photo Source: Mercedes-Benz)
The three-pointed star marque just confirmed that its mid-range Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the G 500, will be getting an engine update starting next year. According to Digital Trends, the mid-range model from longest-running SUV series of the brand will be ditching its 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine in favor of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 power unit found within the Mercedes-AMG GT.
As a result, from the 382 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, its output will be upgraded to an estimated minimum of 416 hp. It should be noted though that there is no word yet on the official engine specs of the updated G 500, and the estimated number was merely based on the output of the standard engine of the AMG GT. So, the figures might be more than that if Mercedes decides to introduce some tweaks to it similar to the AMG GT S level.
The source pointed out that the real reason behind the decision of the company to shift to the M178 power unit from Mercedes-AMG was not just for performance upgrades. The report said the move was primarily in compliance to the Euro 6 emissions regulations that would take effect by September of next year.
Another variant of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the G 500 4×4², was already revealed to adopt the M178 power unit. Therefore, the news about the G 500 getting it may no longer come as a surprise for those who knew earlier about the engine configuration of the successor to the limited-edition G 63 AMG 6×6.
