Facelifted Mercedes G-Class And G63 Show Off New Details Ahead Of Reveal

Ahead of an imminent debut, Mercedes-Benz has shared teaser videos for the updated G-Class and its AMG sibling, the G63, which are expected to arrive with a series of updates aimed at making them more efficient than before.

It's difficult to see any changes in the teaser videos posted to the brand's social media channels, but we know the facelifted model will retain the iconic boxy styling but with aerodynamic enhancements. Borrowing design cues from the all-electric EQG - expected to debut as part of the refreshed range - these subtle changes will reduce fuel consumption on the V6 and V8 models and improve the range for the battery-electric version.

Last year, Dr. Emerich Schiller, responsible for the G-Class business unit, said customers would need help telling the pre- and post-facelift models apart. While that's usually a bad thing, it's a positive here, as the exterior styling is one of the main selling points of the Geländewagen.

That being said, we can see minor updates. This includes a new radiator grille and what appears to be a new wheel design. Once the camouflage is removed, we expect to see additional revisions.

Updated Engines, But The G63 Retains Its V8
These revisions should bode well for the G63, providing the AMG-powered version with superior acceleration and dynamics.

Speaking of the engines, it's safe to assume the G63 will retain the familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which currently produces 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. The exhaust note in the G63 teaser sounds like an angry eight-cylinder, and with Mercedes not developing any new combustion engines as it prepares for an electric future, it's all but guaranteed the old motor will carry over.

While Mercedes-AMG continues to offer downsized engines (much to the chagrin of loyal fans), we're guessing it would be a risky move to tamper with the ultimate combo that is the G63 and its V8. We may see minor updates, though, such as introducing a mild-hybrid system.

The G500 will also receive an MHEV setup but won't be paired with a V8. Instead, the facelift model will gain motivation from an inline-six motor. Last year, Mercedes said auf wiedersehen to the V8-powered G500, leaving only an inline-six engine for this model. American buyers had access to the G550 instead, which retained the services of a V8. It remains to be seen whether the facelift will change which models are sold in the US.

What Other Changes Can We Expect?
In other markets, customers can choose from torque-rich turbodiesels, which are best suited to the persona of the G-Class. American customers searching for a more efficient G-Wagon will look forward to the EQG. This model will reportedly wade into battle with highly sophisticated silicon anode chemistry technology in the battery pack, providing a range boost of 20-40%.

With Mercedes dropping the confusing 'EQ' naming convention, it remains to be seen what the electric version will be called. Per MotorTrend, this version will be known simply as the G580, which makes sense. Mercedes does not want customers to view the electric variant as a battery-powered G-Class but rather as a G-Wagon that happens to be electric.

"It will be almost the same car. It comes with our philosophy: it's not an electric car, it's a G-Class, and you have it with a petrol engine, a diesel engine, or electric power," said Schiller. As for the cabin, we can expect the interior to be made even more luxurious than before, with the latest technologies from the Mercedes-Benz stable. This includes a new touchscreen with more comprehensive features.

Mercedes has not set a reveal date for the new G-Class, but early reports suggest a Q1 2024 reveal. If that's the case, it shouldn't be much longer. If the boxy off-roader is too rich for your blood, let's not forget that a more compact version is in the pipeline.