What's all this then?
This is the new Mercedes G 350d Professional and as much as they try to make us call it a G-Class, I still call it a G-Wagen. Always and forever.
Anyway, instead of this being a daft, blinged-up version with a body kit and an AMG V8 or V12 engine, the Professional is a proper, pukka off-roader. Ride height is up by 10mm and there's an updated 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with 245hp and a seven-speed automatic gearbox. You can climb an approach slope of 36 degrees and bump down a 39-degree incline and you can even have the front bumper fitted out for a winch.
There's an optional Off Road Professional Pack that includes protectors for the lights, a roof rack (with a ladder!) and wood flooring for the boot (yes, really).
Inside, the cabin is actually less spartan than it was on the old Professional model, with a new dash, a Comand infotainment system with screen, electric seats and steering column and you can even have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More importantly, there are hefty rubber mats and a drain plug so that you can hose out the cabin when things get a bit too messy.
It'll carry 592kg in the back and you can haul a trailer of up to 3,200kg. This then, is a proper off-roader. A proper G-Wagen. Nuts to your AMG.
Neil Briscoe - 31 May 2016