The refreshed 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen has been revealed boasting a brand-new V8 engine, new suspension and traction controls.

THE REFRESHED 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen has been revealed and boasts suspension tweaks, a new, more sensitive, traction and stability control system, an exclusive AMG special edition and a new 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine (out of the G 500 4×4² show car) thumping out 310kW and 610Nm of torque for the G 500.

One of the world’s most recognisable vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen which has been in production for 35 years, will head into 2016 with minor tweaks designed to make it more comfortable on-road. 

Beyond the G500, the rest of the engine range has been tweaked for 2016. The G 350 d benefits from a hike in output from 155kW to 180kW, with its torque climbing from 540 to 600Nm. The AMG G 63 now delivers 420kW (up 20kW) and 760Nm. The V12 AMG G 65 now puts out 463kW and 1000Nm. The G 350 d, G 500 and AMG G 63 gets ECO start/stop function as standard.

As per its predecessor, the 2016 G-Wagen gets permanent all-wheel drive, low-range gearbox and three differential locks that can be engaged/disengaged while on the move. The standard suspension setup has been revised with “optimised shock absorbers for improved control of body movements and even greater on-road ride comfort. An adapted ESP setup makes for enhanced driving dynamics together with increased driving stability and road safety. Optimisations to ASR and ABS result in improved traction while shortening the stopping distance when braking”.

The G 500 is available with a cost-optional adaptive damping system with Sport and Comfort modes.  According to Mercedes-Benz, this provides “a significantly more agile on-road performance in Sport mode with undiminished off-road capability while at the same time reducing the typical SUV roll on corners”.

On the outside, the G-Wagen gets tweaked bumpers and standard-fit AMG flared and colour-coded wheel arches. The G 350 d now also comes as standard with 45.7 cm (18-inch) five-spoke light-alloy wheels.

On the inside, the G 350 d and G 500 get a two-tube look dash with 11.4cm multifunction display and redesigned pointers and dials. The two AMG models sport a redesigned instrument cluster.

To celebrate the 2016 model, Mercedes-Benz is releasing the EDITION 463 special edition (on the G 63 and G 65) which gets a stainless steel underguard, AMG sport stripes along the sides, a protective-strip insert in black aluminium look and 21-inch forged wheels. Inside, there’s a two-tone instrument panel, two-tone leather seats with side bolsters in carbon-look leather and contrasting topstitching, seat and door centre panels in a diamond design, carbon-fibre trim and door pulls in nappa leather.

There’s no word yet on when the 2016 model year G-Wagen will make it Down Under.