Mercedes-Benz had a big showing at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year surrounding its all-new 2019 G-Class SUV. This tried and true vehicle has a long history of extreme service, both in military and civilian service. One of the most recent events was accomplished by the famous explorer, Mike Horn, whose 2016 Pole2Pole expedition took him around the globe via the north and south poles. The journey traced a route from Europe to Africa, the Antarctic, Oceania, Asia, the Arctic, North America, and back to Europe.

Horn, a Mercedes-Benz Ambassador, used the outgoing G-Wagen to complete the on-land portion of his epic trip. The rest was done on his boat, the Pangaea, on snow skis, and by foot.

The G-Wagen, a G500, needed only minimal changes to endure the trip. It rolls on BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM tires on stock Mercedes wheels. A matching full-size spare tire replaces the stock wheel on the tailgate. A roof basket with a ladder added storage and a spot for mounting the two off-road lights. Beyond that, the G500 is bone stock, including the 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 and its 415 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Of course, the G500’s stock locking differentials certainly helped. The G-Wagen has three lockers, in fact, one up front, one in back, and in the center transfer case.

References

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Read our full review on the 2019 Mercedes G-Class

Read our full review on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

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