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2016 Mercedes-Benz G550 Quick Spin [w/video]

If there ever was an automotive embodiment of the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," that'd be the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The G-Wagen has carried on largely unchanged since the 1970s, with only small updates throughout the decades. Today, it's the halo vehicle for Mercedes' entire SUV range, and while it's more luxurious and efficient than ever, it'll still climb a mountain if asked. "Our legend has a bright future," says Dr. Gunnar Guthenke, Mercedes' G-Class boss. And for now, that means the addition of a new base engine for the 2016 model year, as well as other small updates. The powerplant in question is Merc's new twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 – you know, the one from the AMG GT – tuned to produce 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque in the G550. Compared to the outgoing, naturally aspirated, 5.5-liter V8, the new engine is stronger by 34 hp and 59 lb-ft. And while official fuel economy numbers are still pending, Mercedes says the G550 is 17-percent more fuel efficient with this smaller, more powerful engine. Win-win. As for the rest of the G-Class, the 2016 model year changes are limited to a new front bumper with more pronounced air intakes (and the removal of the cow catcher bars), wider wheel arches, a few new colors (including some seriously bright hues), and a redesigned instrument cluster. Those are all well and good, but the star of the show is that 4.0-liter V8. It's a honey in the AMG GT, and it's a perfect fit under the hood of the G550. Driving Notes I'm kicking myself for not taking video of the exhaust note, because holy crap, the G550 sounds amazing. Mercedes' engineers should be applauded for the exhaust tuning on the updated G-Class. The result is a low, burbly, throaty V8 noise that comes bellowing out the SUV's side pipes. The extra 59 lb-ft of torque is really noticeable off the line. And like in the AMG GT and C63, the 4.0-liter V8 provides linear power delivery with no noticeable turbo lag. Mercedes says the 2016 G550 will do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, compared to 6.0 seconds in the 2015 model. That's right, it's a 5,724-pound, box-shaped SUV that'll run nearly neck and neck with a base Porsche Boxster. In terms of on-road refinement, the G-Class is the same as it ever was. There's an optional, adjustable suspension for 2016, with Comfort and Sport modes, but the difference between the two settings is negligible.

Autoblog Podcast #410

Episode #410 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, and Greg Migliore talk about the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the next generation Audi Q7, and Ford's promise of 12 new performance models by 2020. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #410: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics: Mercedes-Benz GLE 2016 Audi Q7 New Performance Ford/End of MyFordTouch In The Autoblog Garage: 2015 Toyota Camry XLS 2015 Ford F-150 2015 Volkswagen GTI Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, Greg Migliore Runtime: 01:28:00 Rundown: Intro and Garage - 00:00 Tacoma - 24:17 Barn Find - 38:27 DB10 - 49:23 Q&A - 01:00:00 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Podcasts Detroit Auto Show Audi Ford Mercedes-Benz ford performance

How Atlanta landed Mercedes-Benz

The first phone call came last spring. An international real estate company had a high-profile client that wanted to relocate its North American headquarters. The client, whose identity was confidential, narrowed the list of prospective sites to Texas, North Carolina and Georgia. Would Georgia officials be interested in a discussion? Behind the scenes, they worked for months to lure the company, touting lower housing prices and a relaxed pace of life. They arranged interviews with CEOs of other companies in Atlanta who could speak about the area's business climate and they augmented negotiations with key executives from a utility company and Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport. Ultimately, they were also offered a reported $40 to $50 million in tax incentives. Secrecy was vital. The intermediary and officials with the Georgia Department of Economic Development gave the project a code name that changed three times throughout the summer and fall, so that only a few people had access to the most basic information. It was called Operation Eagle. It was only in September that the Georgia officials learned the identity of the client, Mercedes-Benz, and only last week that Operation Eagle bore fruit when the company publicly announced it would relocate its North American headquarters from Montvale, NJ, to the north side of Atlanta. "They put themselves in a spot on the north side where millennials can live in the city, and people can live in the northern suburbs and raise a family," Tom Croteau, deputy commissioner of global commerce for the GDED, tells Autoblog. "And when you combine that with the business aspect of a lower-cost environment, that's what we were able to provide them, along with a long-term commitment to support them however we can." In the move, the company benefits from a location that's closer to a growing base of suppliers that work with German car companies in the Southeast, as well as closer proximity to ports in Brunswick, GA, that are some of the busiest in the country. Mercedes-Benz will bring 800 to 1,000 jobs to the area. In addition to the employment, Georgia benefits from another notch in its automotive belt. Atlanta is already home to Porsche's North American headquarters. Kia Motors has a major manufacturing facility in West Point, GA, and General Motors opened an information technology center in Atlanta two years ago that employs roughly 1,000 workers.