From a Mercedes assembly plant in Graz, Austria, the hand-crafted G Class wagons roll out in limited numbers as no-compromise off-road SUVs capable of venturing far away from pavement where conventional 4WD vehicles dare not tread. The G500 carries every mechanical armament -- a full-time 4WD system, traction control, vehicle stability system, three differential locks (center plus rear and front), anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution -- then flexes muscle from the Mercedes 5.0-liter V8. For 2003, a new G55 AMG performance issue joins the G500 in this series with the 5.5-liter AMG V8 zipped to 347 hp. Despite a rugged exterior design and the hardware of an ultimate off-road warrior, G Class wagons support a passenger cabin lined with luxurious appointments like leather-clad seats and trim in burl walnut wood. A heated steering wheel is standard for 2003, and new options extend to multicontour seats and a premium Harmon Kardon audio system.
