Mercedes G-Class to get four-cylinder petrol engine overseas

Mercedes-Benz will soon introduce a new base variant of its mighty G-Class SUV in some international markets that will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine. Called the Mercedes G 350, the four-cylinder G-Wagen will first see go on sale in China, followed by other markets. We tell you more about it.

Highlights

• 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine to deliver 299hp, 400Nm of torque.
• G 350 petrol will first launch in China, followed by other markets.
• Expected to come with a similar feature list as higher-specced versions.

What's new on the four-cylinder G-Class SUV?

The key talking point of the G 350 petrol is its engine. While its diesel counterpart that’s sold in India – the G 350d – uses a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine, this petrol version uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. While it may seem like too small an engine for the big G-Class, it develops a healthy 299hp and 400Nm of torque. Gearbox duties are expected to be carried out by Mercedes-Benz’s 9G-Tronic, 9-speed automatic. Though the smaller engine will likely result in some weight loss compared to the 2.5-tonne kerb weights of the six- and eight-cylinder models currently on sale, expect this tough, ladder-frame off-roader to still be heavier than most luxury SUVs.

Sitting at the base of the G-Wagen model range, the G 350 petrol could have slightly less standard equipment than the more expensive models, including smaller alloy wheels as seen in the photos, but you should be able to spec it up as much as desired via the options list. What’s unlikely to be deleted from the G 350’s spec sheet is the serious off-road hardware that is an integral part of the vehicle – including 4x4 with low-range, and three lockable differentials.   

The G-Class or G Wagen has become a big hit for Mercedes-Benz, even more so after the all-new W464 version was launched in 2018. One of the key reasons for introducing the cheaper, four-cylinder version of this SUV is to avoid high taxes levied on vehicles with larger engines in markets like China, where there is a huge demand for this SUV, just like many other countries.

What engines does the G-Class get in India

Mercedes-Benz launched the latest-gen G-Class in India first in the full blown AMG G 63 spec and later introduced the  G 350d diesel. The G 63 is priced at Rs 2.28 crore, while the diesel-powered G 350d is priced at Rs 1.5 crore (ex-showroom) in our market. While the petrol-powered G 350 would be a great addition to the Indian line-up, we don't expect Mercedes-Benz to bring it here anytime soon.