This is how it looks to go full throttle on a serious off-roader.
We’ve seen many different vehicles at the Nurburgring over the years and this brief appearance by the Mercedes-Benz GT-Class Squared isn’t surprising . Our photographers captured the prototype in a pedal to the metal lap around the track.
Although is the off-roader’s natural habitat, it does look quite fast in these spy photos. Although we don’t know what the actual speed is, you can see that the test car lifts its front wheels off of the ground in some photos.
The prototype is very similar to the previously spied cars. The roof rack has two auxiliary lights at the front, and there is a spare wheel that can be attached to the tailgate. Mercedes kept the spare wheel hidden, possibly to conceal a unique design feature of the Squared model.
The powertrain underneath the hood is still unknown. It is certain that there will be a 4.0-liter V8 and a pair turbochargers. However, it is not yet known if it will be tuned to AMG or will continue in its standard M176 form. The base engine produces 416 horsepower (310 Kilowatts) with 450 pound-feet (601 Newton-meters). The M177 has 577 HP (430 kW) while the M177 has 627 lb/ft (850 Nm). The lineup does not include a diesel engine.
According to unofficial information, G-Class Squared will make its debut in the first half next year. We are only 10 to 12 months away and are somewhat surprised that the new prototype has so little camouflage. We are hopeful that the rumors will be wrong and that we will see the off-roader in its final year.