Mercedes-Benz G-Class production to end, ahead of more aerodynamic model next year – report

Production of the current Mercedes-Benz G-Class is set to come to an end in early 2024 as the German car-maker prepares to launch an updated model.

According to a report from the German edition of Business Insider, Mercedes-Benz will cease production of the current iteration of the off-road SUV in the first quarter (January to March) of next year – as it prepares to launch a facelifted G-Class currently undergoing final development in Europe.

While some overseas media had misinterpreted an internal letter as being the end of the petrol and diesel G-Wagen – as an electric EQG is also due next year – the communique simply confirmed manufacturing of the current model would end before the updated G-Class entered production.

The G-Class is one of a number of vehicles built by external company Magna Steyr in Austria – alongside a number of BMWs and the Toyota Supra.

According to the UK’s Autocar, the new G-Class will adopt a number of aerodynamic upgrades from the EQG, in an effort to reduce fuel consumption.

“Most customers won’t see it, even if they stand in front of the car, but the change in some cases had a really dramatic improvement to the aerodynamics,” Dr Emerich Schiller, the head of the G-Class business unit, told Autocar.

MORE: Updated Mercedes-Benz G-Class spotted testing at the Nurburgring

“We really improved the aerodynamics without changing the shape, and what we’ve learned with the electric version we will put to the [petrol] engine car. So when the facelift comes next year, the cars will have most of the aerodynamic improvements as well, with a tremendous reduction in fuel consumption.”

Australian specifications for the new G-Class are due to be announced in 2024, however the current AMG G63 – the sole model sold locally – is expected to remain with 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 power.

The cheaper G500 sold in Europe is set to swap its less powerful version of the AMG’s twin-turbo V8 for a smaller inline six-cylinder petrol engine to reduce fuel use and emissions.

Mercedes-Benz recently confirmed it will be producing a smaller electric G-Wagen in the future.

With the sole model on sale in Australia – the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8-powered G63 AMG – starting from $363,561 before options and on-road costs, it’s likely the ‘Little G’ will provide a more affordable option for those wanting an off-road SUV with a three-pointed star on the grille.

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