The chassis team
Developed for eternity
Since the market launch of the G-Class, we trust in the ne plus ultra for off-road deployment in the development of the chassis and frame: a robust ladder-type frame with precisely located rigid axles and coil spring suspension. These components are realised in many executions due to the variety of G-Class variants with their differing weight categories.
In order to ensure robustness and sustainable durability, we have high requirements for the materials used and initiate long-term anticorrosive measurements. The performance specifications of the G-Class do traditionally not only list stability and superiority off-road, but furthermore its qualities on paved roads. The basic concept of the chassis – based on two massive longitudinal control arms, one wishbone, and coil springs with outboard shock absorbers – is a well proved one, to which we also stick since 1979. However, we continuously fine-tune and modernise the set-up of the chassis and suspension components and integrate state-of-the-art technologies. Nowadays, the optimised vehicle handling enables us to fit engines into the G-Class that deliver 500 hp. Noteworthy is that at market launch in 1979 the weakest engine only produced 71 hp.
Due to the sophisticated chassis and suspension tuning the G-Class offers an astounding degree of ride comfort and driving characteristics on-roads. The driving dynamics and active safety in extreme driving conditions were furthermore lifted to a before unthinkable level for this vehicle segment by the integration and special application of the Brake Assist (BAS) and the Electronic-Stability Program (ESP®). The combination of these assistance systems with all-wheel drive, rigid axles and 100% lockable differentials all along the drive train is a unique innovation worldwide and emphasises the technological up-to-dateness of our modern classic. The G-Class demonstrates that the difficult balancing act between good on-road performance and superiority off the road can be mastered almost without compromises.
In order to ensure robustness and sustainable durability, we have high requirements for the materials used and initiate long-term anticorrosive measurements. The performance specifications of the G-Class do traditionally not only list stability and superiority off-road, but furthermore its qualities on paved roads. The basic concept of the chassis – based on two massive longitudinal control arms, one wishbone, and coil springs with outboard shock absorbers – is a well proved one, to which we also stick since 1979. However, we continuously fine-tune and modernise the set-up of the chassis and suspension components and integrate state-of-the-art technologies. Nowadays, the optimised vehicle handling enables us to fit engines into the G-Class that deliver 500 hp. Noteworthy is that at market launch in 1979 the weakest engine only produced 71 hp.
Due to the sophisticated chassis and suspension tuning the G-Class offers an astounding degree of ride comfort and driving characteristics on-roads. The driving dynamics and active safety in extreme driving conditions were furthermore lifted to a before unthinkable level for this vehicle segment by the integration and special application of the Brake Assist (BAS) and the Electronic-Stability Program (ESP®). The combination of these assistance systems with all-wheel drive, rigid axles and 100% lockable differentials all along the drive train is a unique innovation worldwide and emphasises the technological up-to-dateness of our modern classic. The G-Class demonstrates that the difficult balancing act between good on-road performance and superiority off the road can be mastered almost without compromises.