New military Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen unveiled, could lead to an Ineos Grenadier competitor

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is going back to its roots, with two different lines of the iconic model helping to distance the four-wheel-drive from its luxury image.

Mercedes-Benz has launched the new W464 series, which is a variant of the G-Class currently only available to government agencies and militaries “for rescue and special operations”.

Though the G-Wagen used by the Australian Defence Force – codenamed W461 – will continue to be manufactured, the company says the new W464 G350d offers greater on- and off-road capability, and delivers more power from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six.

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While the W461 gets a 135kW/400Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 and five-speed auto, the new W464 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and produces 183kW and 600Nm from its inline-six – a power boost of 35 per cent and a torque increase of 50 per cent.

Mercedes-Benz says the new mil-spec G350d also offers; a fuel economy improvement of around six to eight per cent, an increased payload capacity, a 24-volt electrical system, and more modern features such as LED headlights and daytime-running lights – while retaining its live axles.

Despite the bump over the V6-powered G-Wagen, its performance doesn’t quite match the 2.9-litre twin-turbo diesel straight-six found in the current G400d, outputting 243kW and 700Nm.

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An Ineos Grenadier competitor?

The German car company has not hinted at whether a new W464 G350d will be offered to the wider public in the future, but it’s perhaps telling the new military model was unveiled in the same week initial pricing for the BMW-powered Ineos Grenadier was announced.

However, more telling is information posted to a G-Class group on Facebook, suggesting there is a civilian version of the W464 on the way – complete with comfort seats and a digital radio.

A number of prototypes have been spotted throughout Europe in previous months, confirmed to be using the W464 chassis, but devoid of crucial NATO-specified features.

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Credit: Facebook

One company insider said the civilian model will be offered in Europe with the 2.9-litre shared with the G400d due to emissions laws – though if the model was offered in Australia, our lax regulations could open up the possibility of the 3.0-litre straight-six being fitted.

It’s unclear whether the vehicle – pictured here wearing number plates from the Graz district of Austria – is a prototype for the military version, or if the black Mercedes is being tested for the wider market, potentially being badged as a new ‘Professional’ variant.

Before the last G-Professional model was discontinued by Mercedes-Benz Australia, designed as a workhorse to compete with the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, the W461 G300 CDI Wagon was available from $109,900 before on-road costs.

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Professional Line

Civilians haven’t been completely forgotten about, however, with Mercedes-Benz this week introducing a new ‘Professional Line’ package for the G400d.

Unlike the G300 CDI Professional, the new Professional Line provides the current W463 G400d with a more suitable exterior set-up for off-road use.

Those who option the Professional Line Package gain; stone grilles for the headlights, mud flaps, a roof rack with ladder, spare wheel carrier, and smaller 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.

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Ten paint colours can be chosen, along with a matte Night Package with contrast trim for the roof, wheel arches, and bumpers.

There’s no word yet on whether the pack will be made available in Australia, with a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz telling 4X4 Australia: “We’re in the process of evaluating the new Professional Line Exterior Package for our market.”

Would you like to see a civilian version of the W464 G-Wagen go on sale? Let us know in the comments section below.