We’ve know Mercedes-Benz has been testing a two-axle version of its massive G63 AMG 6x6 since last November when the high-riding SUV->ke145 was spotted covered in lime green camo. Now the first official image has landed on the internet and is promising good things for the upcoming 2015 Geneva Motor Show.->ke228

Mercedes has also released the beast’s official name as well – the G500 4x4². Yep, the four-by-four-squared. While math nerds everywhere will cry, “The G500 doesn’t have 64 wheels,” the name is admittedly unique and should help draw attention to this already eye-catching monster.

So what’s the G500 4x4² all about? Well basically it shares the same underpinnings as the triple-axled G63 AMG 6x6, including the massive wheel and tire combination, the portal axles, and the larger fender flares. Unfortunately, the G500 4x4² doesn’t share the same 5.5-liter biturbo V-8 front the G63 AMG 6x6, but rather resorts to an all-new engine: a 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 that’s good for 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Thankfully for our European friends, that engine meets the Euro 6 emissions standard slated to take hold in 2016.

Regardless, the 4x4² should still be a beastly machine that looks right at home in Dubai or on the streets of Rodeo Drive.

Update 06/10/2016: Mercedes-Benz has officially announced the G550 4x4² will arrive in the United States for the 2017 model year. It also comes with a name change. Gone is the G500 nomenclature, replaced by the G550 name. The drivetrain specs remain unchanged. The lifted G-Wagen should arrive at dealerships in early 2017. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Click 'Continue Reading' for more about the Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x4².

Mercedes G500 4x4² In Action

Exterior

In comparison to the gargantuan G63 6x6, the G500 4x4² looks almost unaltered. It’s when the 4x4² and a conventional G-Wagen are side by side that the differences are blatant. The portal axles keep the suspension lift to a minimum while pushing the tires further towards the ground. This gives the 4x4² an insanely tall stance without making it unstable.

Most of the body remains the same as a conventional G-Wagen, save for the larger fender fares and the light bar across the top of the windshield. Those two pieces are crafted from carbon fiber – you know, to save weight.

As you can see by the difference in exterior dimensions below, the G500 4x4² is much taller and capable off road. Its ground clearance grows from 8.26 inches to a whopping 17.71 inches while its approach and departure angles increase from 36 and 27 degrees respectively to a trail-busting 52 and 54 degrees. Amazingly, the G500 4x4²’s tipping angle only increases by two degrees over the long-wheelbase G500 thanks to its portal axles and wider stance.

Mercedes will offer two wheel and tire packages with the G500 4x4². The more street-ready pair includes a 22-inch wheel with more all-terrain based tires sized at 325/55, while the more capable off-road set comes with 18-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 37 x 12.5 mud terrain tires.

Beadlocks are certainly the preferred wheel for serious terrain thanks to the outer ring that clamps the tire bead onto the inner portion of the wheel. When bolted down, the wheel literally grabs the tire, keeping it from slipping or becoming unseated. This allows the G500 4x4² to run incredibly low tire pressures for added off-road traction.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

Standard G-Wagen Shown

The interior of the G500 4x4² takes after its big brother, the G63 AMG 6x6. Fitted with the desingo Exclusive package, the seat bolsters, head rests, dashboard, center console, and door-mounted armrests are all trimmed in black leather with contrasting stitching. The seats and door panels are covered in microfiber and feature the diamond-quilted pattern. Of course items like heated seats, navigation, and power everything is standard.

As the G63 AMG 6x6, the G500 4x4² will feature the same overhead control panel for the central tire inflation system. With a push of some buttons, the tires will deflate or inflate to a desired psi, allowing the driver to tailor the air pressure for changing terrains.

Drivetrain

Mercedes is bringing a new engine to the G-Wagen. The new 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 makes its debut here, putting out a respectable 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The new engine produces considerably more horsepower than the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8’s 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This will most assuredly help with turning those big tires.

The new twin-turbocharged V-8 not only produces more power, but is also compliant to the upcoming Euro 6 emissions regulations set to take effect in 2016. The engine is constructed from aluminum alloy and has cylinder walls with Daimler’s friction-reducing NANOSLIDE coating. The cylinder walls with its coating are said to be twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinder liners, adding strength to the engine block.

Though Mercedes hasn’t published a prediction for the G500 4x4²’s time to 60 mph, it’s suspected to be less than seven seconds, despite the huge tires and added weight. That on-road speed is an easy sacrifice when considering just how capable the 4x4² will be off the beaten path. Its portal axles give it a respectable amount of lift without increasing the suspension’s height. This allows for a more stable platform yet still provides all the ground clearance anyone would need.

Locking differentials front and back, along with the center diff, allow all four wheels to turn at the same rotational speed, regardless of traction. Such capability means the G500 4x4² will be able to scramble up nearly any slippery slope.

Backing up that V-8 is Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic transmission and the permanent 4WD system.

Prices

The Mercedes G500 4x4² isn’t cheap. In Europe and other places its sold around the world, prices average around $245,000. That’s a pretty penny for suspension lift, portal axles, and wider fenders. That might be a simplified way of looking at the G500 4x4², but this Benz is by no means an inexpensive toy. Expect prices to remain roughly the same when the G550 4x4² arrives in the U.S. for 2017.

Competition

Land Rover Defender

This comparison is a stretch in every sense of the word. The Defender might be one of the best off-road vehicles in existence, but it doesn’t come with such modifications as the G500 4x4². The Land Rover maintains a very agricultural feel to it as its interior is spartan and devoid of modern electronic wizardry, despite the abundance of special editions and range-topping trim levels.

The Defender comes powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 120 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The sprint – err laborious shuffle – to 60 mph takes roughly 14.7 seconds. Obviously the Mercedes out-guns the Land Rover in this department.

Despite the Defender’s height disadvantage to the G500 4x4², the Land Rover offers stellar off-road performance and usability. In fact, the Defender is offered in several body configurations, including with a truck bed. This gives folks like farmers the ability to haul more than just people.

Thankfully pricing of the Defender is more obtainable for the average Joe. Defenders start at £23,100, or $35,600 at the current exchange rates.

Conclusion

The Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² is the perfect next step for the German automaker and its crazy lineup of off-road ready machines. The G63 6x6 set the stage, but the 4x4² is likely going to be a better seller. After all, how many people live somewhere that a tipple-axle, six-wheeled beast with the height of a cargo van is able to drive? The more compact dimensions and the lower price of the 4x4² are sure to bring excited buyers its way.

Update History

UPDATED 02/24/2015: Mercedes has released a short theatrical trailer for the G500 4x4² showing its awesome capabilities. Click 'Continue Reading' for the embed.

UPDATED 02/23/2015: Mercedes dropped a series of official details on its new G500 4x4². Continue reading to learn what's new on the G500 4x4².