[Dippy]

Today is Team BHP's 7th Birthday. It also falls on the same day as Valentines Day, which is popularly known as the day of love. It doesnt get better than this for any car lover who comes face to face with one of his most desirable automobiles on this day. Today this happened to me. How? Read on

Mercedes Benz India has been conducting a number of events in the country under the name of 'Star Drive'. Rehaan and GTO attended one such event last year

Linky:http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-te...ive-event.html

Today was 'Star Drive II' but it was not just another event. Mercedes today launched their iconic G Wagen SUV in India in its AMG avtaar, the mighty G55 AMG. One of my favourite off roaders of all time. Its just EPIC.

[Dippy]

Unlike the usual car launches at 5 Star Hotels, the G55 AMG launch took place at the Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai this morning. Its nice to know that the Flying Club has started opening up to hosting such events in the recent past . The Nissan 370z launch took place right here early last year.

Reached the venue at 11.30 AM. The good thing was that we were allowed to take our cars right inside. It started with a presentation on the G55 by Mr. Debashis Mitra, the Director for Sales and Marketing Mercedes India. We were then lead outside the lounge where the G55 was unveiled to the waiting media.

Price for the G55 AMG: (Ex Showroom Mumbai)

Rs. 1.10 Crores

Mr Debashis also told me that Mercedes would look at introducing lower variants of the G Glass in the future based on market feedback for the G55 AMG



A small photo session was followed by a demonstration of what the G55 can do. There was an obstacle course constructed for this purpose. Apart from the course they also showed what the G55 could do in a straight line. For that a part of the runway was used

Media persons were taken in groups for these rides but I was in no mood to go as part of a group. I wanted to ride shotgun all alone. So while everyone else went on their rides I took some pictures and videos. The G55 used for the demos was driven by Hari Singh (5 times National Rally Champion)

I took my turn to go for the last way last after most of the others have left. The 5.5 Supercharged V8 is one of my personal favourite engines . Having driven quite a few AMGs before, the comparison was inevitable. The G55 is fast, it really is but due to its weight (Kerb Weight: 2550 kg) I didnt get the instant 'Throw me back into the seat' feeling which I have got driving the other AMGs. Note that I did not drive the G55 but these observations are from sitting shotgun in the front passenger seat. I have shot some in car footage videos from the obstacle course and the runway acceleration. Stay tuned for those.

Some pictures from the obstacle course

All you can see is the blue sky above when the nose is pointed up









This at a 30 degree angle

[Dippy]

The G Wagen was first produced in 1979 and since then has sold 200,000 units the world over. The G55 AMG was first unvelied at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004 on the 25th Anniversary on the G Class. The G55 AMG then developed 476 BHP from the 5.5 liter V8 engine. Power went up to 500 BHP in 2006 and to 507 BHP in 2007 which is where it currently stands. Max power comes up at 6100 rpm and it has a whopping 700Nm of torque !!! The G55 races to the 100 kph in 5.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 kph which is electronically limited. The tranny is a 5 Speed automatic.

Other important highlights:

• Permanent all wheel drive
• Electronically controlled traction system 4ETS
• A 'low range' gearbox with three selectable differencial locks
• Hill Start Assist: Sensors detect if the car is stopping on a gradient, brake pressue is applied so that it doesnt roll backwards.
• ESP with a modified and efficient control unit.
• Latest gen COMMAND APS telematics, reversing camera and rear seat entertainment is standard equipment

Some pictures:











275/55 profile tyres on 19 inch wheels



Side exhausts on the G55. The growl from the V8 is to die for.







V8 Kompressor...









Note the frontal similarties with the Tata Sumo (Pic below for reference sourced from Google)





The G Wagen is a 5 seater













The 5.5 liter SuperCharged V8 500 Horses 700 Nm !!!!





A last picture before leaving the venue

[Dippy]

Videos:

In car footage: Riding shotgun on the air strip

YouTube - Mercedes G55 AMG Straight line acceleration StarDrive Event

In car footage: On the obstacle course

YouTube - Mercedes G Wagen at StarDrive Event obstacle course

G55 doing the incline obstacle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH1-riPbc60

G55 doing a sprint on the runway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4RdRmgzqc

[mxx]

Nice, I never thought they would launch the D Wagon here. Its an awesome suv - no a true off-roader- obvious because of its military origins. One of my personal favorites, and a car that I want to own someday. The design is so timeless, that there are very few changes externally through decades.

[theragingbull]

There is no doubt the G55 is a terrific off-roader! The price is quite justified I think keeping in mind the import duties etc. The Range Rover is also priced similarly but none of the RR owners in India ever go off-roading. It's just a luxury 5-seater. But I'm sure owners of the G55 are hardcore off-roaders. Although, most people in India are gonna mistake this for a souped up Sumo with a Mercedes logo

[Recompose]

The design is simple and classy. Looks 'pure'.
And the V8 engine capable of 500+ BHP and 700+ Nm Torque. Must be a terrific drive.

OT: Just an observation. The inset symobol of the D in the 'Stardrive' suspiciously looks like the M&M Logo.

[//M]

The Gelandewagen has been one of my dream cars since childhood. I remember seeing a pic of a black G-Wagen in some magazine when I was very young and needless to say, I fell it love with the straight, smart lines. Great news that Merc has launched the G55 AMG in the country. And many may flame me for this, but IMO the G-Wagen is the only Merc in the whole Mercedes Benz line-up that really appeals to me ever since the W124.

[Dippy]

In car footage videos added to post #4

[SRK]

All I can say is this a car for a Die hard fan only.
As far as the looks are concerned, I love it.

After these hit the roads, I am sure the Sumo, Trax and Bolero guys will modify their rides to look like the Merc G and act as if they are owning a 1.1 crore car.

[FlyingSpur]

Haha. That camera doesn't tell the real story. The pull of that mad engine in a straight line has to be experienced to be believed !! I was lucky to experience it at the Star Drive over the weekend, and the pseudo off-road circuit was impressively tackled by the G55. The climb and descent is an eye-opener, sure, but the 30 degree slope is just another crazy experience altogether, with the tarmac barely a couple of feet away from your window and your face if you're sitting on the inside

[bigron]

The best offroader from the mercedes stable i believe. Infact probaly one of their finest products. Great presence and white has never looked that good on a SUV apart from maybe on a rangie. Does this truck come in AMG 63 or 65 disguise also ?

[DicKy]

At last the real proper Mercedes-Benz "SUV" has arrived.
anyway the cheaper variants expected soon to make it a real fighter(in sales) especially the v8 420cdi engine
But i can imagine myself showing this car to ordinary folks ,"Enthiridai,Sumoye alter cheythu vechiriykana?, enaalum setup thane, saadhanam nalla kwality undu,Benz symbol evidennu kitti?
"Yo, modified Sumo,eh? But it's good,The interiors have nice quality.Where did you get the Benz logo?

But @bigron, what about the LC, can't imagine an LC in a colour other than white.
Yep, the G class is a kinda classic product that has a huge and fanatic fan base.

[shk 8896]

According to me it looks a bit like force gurkha from front.The bonnet looks as it is a straight lift from tata sumo .But the starfish alloys are great.Maybe the best off roader from Mercedes .The problem is that this car does not have the sheen of other mercedeses.But the price is a bit too steep.The positive is that this SUV has a lot of tech!

[av8er]

I love the SUMO pic in the middle order .. I was thinking to myself if I had the money and bought this vehicle I would have definitely been the butt of jokes among friends for having bought a SUMO for soo much (though they know the value of a Merc, friends are friends and they will take every opportunity to make a joke).

Anyways awesome vehicle and very nice pics. Hope to see some on the road soon.