Wednesday 7th July 2010

Mercedes Reveals Its Toughest G-Wagen

New light armoured patrol vehicle looks, er, bulletproof

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The iconic Mercedes G-Wagen may be returning to the UK 'officially' this year, but you won't see many of these in your local dealer.

Defence industry types got a preview of M-B's G-Wagon Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle 6.X concept at the recent EUROSATORY 2010 event.

With its high torque common rail diesel engine, the 6.X is capable of 150km/h speeds while being able to transport 1.3 tonnes of cargo.

The monocoque full steel body provides ballistic protection and sits upon a compact 2850mm wheelbase. The vehicle's modular armour plate system allows damaged plates to be removed quickly and be replaced with new or extra plates, and includes a mine deflector plate on the vehicles floor.

There are variable lift front and rear coil-over air shock absorbers which are adjustable while driving, so the LAPV 6.X has 450mm of ground clearance. Coupled with the performance hydraulic braking system and four ventilated disc brakes no up or down hill slope will pose a problem say the concept creators.

Based on the G-Class's standard axles, the LAPV 6.X ensures thrilling off-road capabilities and low drive train wear. An individual tyre inflation system is also able to detect ground conditions and adjust accordingly for best traction.

Other innovations include and EADS vehicle data recorder system to automatically document vital mission data such as position, data link and vehicle usage status, we're told. Sounds like the ultimate school runner to us!

[ctallchris]

Much better than the standard. Not entirely sure about the camoflage. those wheel's could not be less obvious. Except i suppose if it had just run over the dutch football team...

Crafty buggers

[Nick_Johnson]

I just love the way the G-Wagen just fails to die, must say the G55 AMG at Goodwood looked amazing compared with some of the 4x4's which are currently on sale at the moment from other manufactures.

[OnTheOverrun]

Are those standard G wagen axles? The front one looks like a portal axle to me.

[soad]

Impressive for what its meant to be used.

[JulianHJ]

I'll have mine in matt black please...

[10JH]

I saw the G55 AMG they had at Goodwood. Was amazed that it cost £115,000!

[JonRB]

That's kind of sexy.

(I worry about myself sometimes)

[Rusty-C]

Florescent orange wheels? Not sure they’d be my first choice in a warzone.

[Trommel]

OnTheOverrun said:

Are those standard G wagen axles? The front one looks like a portal axle to me.

They are portal, and the standard one definitely doesn't have them.

[chuntington101]

JulianHJ said:

I'll have mine in matt black please...

I think the SAS are getting them in that colour to! lol

Wonder what the engine option will be? maybe this could be an alternative to the Landrover SNATCH?...........

[Oddball RS]

Why would this be any better than the Snatch? i don't follow?

A strange photo but those brake pipes look exposed.

[Chris-R]

Trommel said:

OnTheOverrun said:

Are those standard G wagen axles? The front one looks like a portal axle to me.

They are portal, and the standard one definitely doesn't have them.

The press release says:

"Based on the G-Class's proven axles, the LAPV 6.X ensures thrilling off-road capabilities and low drive train wear."

Could they mean standard axles with portal hubs? Must confess I don't know!

[E-B]

Serious bits of kit there.

[Nickellarse]

It's the ultimate Chelsea tractor!!!!

[Hitch78]

I want that as much as 300bhp/ton wants a threesome with a Camaro and a Mustang

[Trommel]

Chris-R said:

Could they mean standard axles with portal hubs? Must confess I don't know!

Either way there's a reduction gear in there.

[ML]

Come the apocalypse, this is what I will need...

[Mr Flaky]

want, off to buy a lotto ticket

[ManOpener]

Oddball RS said:

Why would this be any better than the Snatch? i don't follow?

It's faster (or so it would appear), the armour system is properly modular and not a bodge-job like on the Snatch, and with the modifications it's sporting it's probably better off road too.

[vintageracer01]

A car for year "2012" anyone?

or

"Only the paranoid survive."

What's the price, btw?