MERCEDES-BENZ

Why did the German brand shrink the G-Class engine?

The tax burden on vehicles is "heavier" the greater the cylinder capacity. China is no exception, which is why Mercedes will be preparing to introduce in this Asian market, where imported vehicles are heavily taxed, a new version of the G-Class that, instead of a three-cylinder inline 3-liter, will have under the bonnet a supercharged 2-liter four-cylinder, the new M 254 gasoline engine that became available with the E-Class facelift.
Officially, the star brand has not yet commented on this, but the photos of the jeep taken on Chinese roads suggest that the four cylinders are returning to the acclaimed German luxury off-road vehicle, which will thus make a kind of back to its origins, since the Class G was initially proposed exclusively with four-cylinder engines.
The new version will assume the trade name Mercedes G 350 and, according to the latest rumors, should be presented within a month. In addition to being lighter in the weight of mechanics, it will also have the advantage of lightening the price of the German all-terrain access versions.
The final power delivered by the G 350 is still unknown, but it is believed that it will be around 300 hp, not least because the four cylinders should integrate a mild hybrid set at 48 V, as it happens in the Old Continent, to lower (slightly) consumption and, above all, increase tax benefits. If confirmed, the option may fall on the EQ Boost technology, capable of offering, for some moments and in some circumstances, an additional 20 hp and 180 Nm. It remains to wait for the manufacturer of Stuttgart to make its intentions public, ideally clarifying whether this alternative will also reach European dealers as a way to increase the sales volume of the G-Class.

Autonews