Mercedes adds G300 Professional wagon

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific has expanded its G300 CDI Professional workhorse range to two body styles, with the addition of a five-door wagon variant priced from $109,900 plus on-roads, joining the single-cab ute version released in December last year.

The wagon and ute share the same 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 powertrain, which puts out 135kW/400Nm and is mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission with a low-range transfer case sending power to all four wheels.

Its off-road ability is bolstered by standard front, centre and rear differential locks, bullbar, snorkel a water drain plug in the floor, 96-litre fuel tank, dual 12-volt batteries, tyre pressure warning system, dirty air filter warning, brake pad wear indicator for the front axle brake, headlight and indicator stone guards, and underbody shields for the radiator and oil sump.

Safety systems for the G300 CDI Professional include driver and passenger front airbags, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic stability control.

The wagon features a braked towing capacity of 3140kg (down 60kg on the cab-chassis), and is fitted with four seats with walk-through access to the luggage compartment.

Given its relatively spartan equipment levels, Mercedes-Benz is offering a number of packages and options to fill out the G300 Professional.

The $9900 Edition PUR Package adds a walk-on bonnet, electric door mirrors, a roof rack, heat-insulated tinted glass behind the B-pillar, side running board, a towbar, headlamp cleaning system, heated leather seats and a radio and CD player.

Other options include the $1700 Winch preparation package, while options such as the walk-on bonnet ($1900), heated seats ($900), tinted rear windows ($700) and wire mesh partition behind the rear seats ($1200) can be selected individually.

The cab-chassis can be specified with the $2500 Body Building Enhancement Package or $4900 Electrical Enhancement Package.

As part of the launch in Australia, a fleet of G-Wagons spearheaded by adventurer Mike Horn travelled through the Simpson Desert from Birdsville in south-west Queensland to Uluru in a test of the vehicle’s off-road capability and durability.

Australia is the only market in the world to sell the G300 CDI Professional pair to civilians.

When it arrives, the G300 wagon’s main rival will come in the form of Toyota’s 76 Series LandCruiser, which in GXL spec sells for a considerably more affordable $64,990 plus on-roads.

To the end of July this year Mercedes has sold 51 examples of the G300 CDI cab-chassis, while the 79 Series LandCruiser single- and dual-cab pick-up has remained popular with the agriculture and mining sectors, recording 4814 sales – an 18.1 per cent increase year-on-year.

Mercedes will expand its range of ute offerings early next year, when the Nissan Navara-based X-Class arrives, offering a more premium experience in the workhorse-oriented 4x4 pick-up segment.