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The Classicist: Seeing Out the Season in Style with the Mercedes-Benz G550

Filed under: Apparel, Spirits, Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Books, Men's Style, The Classicist

While in some parts of the country spring may already have sprung, here on the Eastern Seaboard we're still months away from cherry blossoms and G&Ts. In some ways this is the toughest time of the year – we're worn down from a long winter, yet the snow keeps falling – and it requires some tough gear to get through it in style. A key comfort of course is a vehicle that can not only handle the elements but keep them firmly in their place, while keeping you warm, dry and wrapped in luxurious refinement. We've yet to experience anything that can turn the worst ice storm of the year into a minor inconvenience with as much impressive panache as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. Not everyone loves its spartan exterior and sheer tonnage – just shutting the doors requires serious effort – but they're usually the same people who "swear by" their tin can minivans; we saw them stranded on the side of the road as we cruised by in the G550 on our most recent Geländewagen excursion.

Meticulously handcrafted inside and out at a special manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria, the military-derived G-Wagen is the progenitor of every Mercedes-Benz SUV on the road today. Essentially unchanged aside from certain key upgrades since it was first introduced over 30 years ago, it's done everything from winning the famous Paris-Dakar Rally to making sure the Pope gets to his appointments on time. With a starting sticker of $105,000 it's definitely something of an indulgence, but that helps maintain a certain exclusivity which is not without an appeal of its own. Only a few thousand models are sold here every year so you don't often see another one en route; while that means a certain amount of stares directed your way, unless you get one custom-painted bright red – it's only offered in an understated palette of black, grey, silver, white and dark green – those tend to be minimal as it's about as subtle as an SUV this size can get.

To help see out the season in style we have assembled a number of items which complement the G-Wagen's rugged good looks and provide essential assistance before, during and after the journey. For starters we selected a lightweight, trim-fitting down bomber jacket by Ralph Lauren Black Label (above left), made of supple goat suede with a leather throat latch and gunmetal hardware. The most stylish weather defender we've seen all season, it's the G-Wagen of outerwear. On the wrist we sported the new limited edition Breitling Transocean Chronograph (above right), a high-performance, shock-resistant, and damned good-looking watch on a mesh steel strap, while waxed canvas hunting boots from L.L. Bean Signature kept our feet warm and dry.

Gallery: G550 Style

Tags: Balvenie, Breitling, Dunhill, EvolutionMAN, G-Class, G-Wagen, grooming, Ledbury, luxury cars, Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Mercedes-Benz G550, Private Stock, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Black Label, SUV, The Classicist, Thomas Pink

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Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Think that Mercedes-Benz G-Class you take the kids to soccer practice in is hard-core? Well, it is, but it looks like any other family hauler next to the version you see here.

Unveiled by Mercedes at the Eurosatory defense exposition in France, the G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept is the latest armored military version of the legendary sport-ute. Its common-rail diesel engine can propel it, along with all the armor plating and 2,866 lbs of cargo, up to a top speed of 150 kilometers per hour. It's also got an adjustable suspension with 18 inches of ground clearance and enough attitude to make your enemies surrender without firing a single shot.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept

Tags: g-wagen, LAPV, light armored patrol vehicle, Mercedes g-class, Mercedes g-wagen, Mercedes g-wagon, Mercedes-Benz g-class, Mercedes-Benz g-wagen, Mercedes-Benz g-wagon, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept, military

Luxist Drives the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G550, and it Makes Us Glücklich

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Mercedes G550 is an unlikely niche vehicle. As with perhaps every other military-derived civilian 4x4, it's a box on wheels, all straight lines and fender flares. Yet unlike most other military-derived civilian off-roaders, it comes standard with solid axles front and rear, three electronically locking differentials front, center, and rear, and, get this, heated rear seats. Celebs, trendsters, and the generally rich keep it in the public consciousness. When Mercedes decided to kill it, a general uproar caused them to belay the order. It costs $100,250, and has no options. Before we drove it, we didn't know why people dug it. After driving it, now we do: it is colossally fun.

Tags: G-class, G-klasse, G-wagen, G-Wagon, G550, Gelaendenwagen, Mercedes, mercedes g550, MercedesG550, wheels

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Mercedes Tuner Brabus Debuts Half-Million-Dollar 700hp G-Wagen

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

With most cars on the market being replaced every five years or so, 30 years is an exceptionally long time for an automobile to carry on essentially as it was when it started out. So Mercedes has cause to celebrate with the three-decade anniversary of the iconic Gelandewagen, and aftermarket tuners are lining up to join the party. The latest is Mercedes tuner Brabus, which has just announced the launch of what could be its most radical model yet. And that's saying a lot for Brabus.

The Brabus G V12 S packs an enormous 6.3-liter twin-turbo V12 producing a mind-boggling 700 horsepower and nearly 1000 lb-ft of torque. Despite the enormous weight and boxy shape of the G-Wagen, this monster truck can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds and top over 150 mph. Brabus has also fitted custom wheels, body kit, LED lighting and an array of available in-cabin entertainment options, all for a price starting at 379,000 Euros (about $483,000), making it one of the most expensive, most capable and speediest sport-utilities on the market.

Gallery: BRABUS G V12 S Biturbo

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Tags: brabus, brabus g-class, BrabusG-class, g-class, g-wagen, gelandewagen, geneva auto salon, geneva motor show, GenevaAutoSalon, GenevaMotorShow, mercedes, mercedes g-class, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz g-class, mercedes-benz g-wagen, mercedes-benz gelandewagen, Mercedes-benzG-class, Mercedes-benzG-wagen, Mercedes-benzGelandewagen, MercedesG-class

Mercedes G-Wagen Grand Edition

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Mercedes Gelendewagen, otherwise known as the G-wagen is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it type of car. Some people adore it as a modern classic, others think it's a big ugly box with wheels. If you are in the former category, then you may want to get your hands on the new Grand edition of the G-wagen. Inside Line reports that the Grand Edition is available only with a long wheelbase and a V8 engine. It has permanent four wheel drive, electronic stability and traction control. The interior is poshed out with matte silk wood trim, non-embossed leather. Illuminated door sills and brushed aluminum trim strips with Grand Edition lettering. So far it's retailing in Europe only for $89,000.

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Tags: g-wagen, luxury edition, mercedes, new car