Mercedes-Benz has released video footage of its G 500 4x4², and it is a classic car commercial, though we humbly suggest an alternate ending.
DETROIT, MI - A mountain lion leaps to a rock formation. A cave is shown in the dark of night. Light music plays.
Mercedes-Benz has released video footage of its G 500 4x42, and it is a classic car commercial, though we humbly suggest an alternate ending.
Here is a basic rundown of the video, with suggested addendum. Actual information about the vehicle follows.
The video
- Inside the rocky cave, now being surveyed by the mountain lion, headlights suddenly flicker on, and the roar of a twin-turbo, V-8 engine is heard echoing through the mountainside.
- The mountain lion gives a McKayla-is-not-impressed glance in the direction of the cave.
- Suddenly, a yellow Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x42 squeals out of the cave as heavy electric guitar riffs play.
- The mountain lion looks on, its ears turn back slightly.
- Daylight now, and the G 500 4x42 is seen hopping through rocks and traversing a stream. Heavy electric guitar riffs continue, and the music becomes more epic and orchestral.
- The G 500 4x42 splashes around in some mud. It plunges into a river, water spraying high into the air.
- Finally it merges onto a paved road. Are we in the Alps?
- The G 500 4x42 enters a tunnel, and while it's in there, something happens. It reemerges from the tunnel with smaller tires, geared toward city driving.
- It exits what looks to be the Alps and enters into what could be a Central European city at dusk.
- It navigates the city streets, a glittering skyline in the background, and finally finds its way to the gated driveway of a modern home.
- It turns its wheel and - remember those crunching rocks in the mountains? - smaller pebbles now crunch under its tire. The G 500 4x42 turns its headlights off. It's safe and home now, away from the mountains. Not that it would matter much, either way.
And that's the end, but here's a suggestion: Maybe at the very end, after the G 500 4x42 turns its headlights off, cut to a shot of the mountain lion, looking dejected.
The Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x42
The G 500 4x42 has a twin-turbo V-8 engine that produces 422 horsepower. It's set on 22-inch wheels, or an optional 18-inch wheels with 37-inch tires for serious off-roading.
Mercedes-Benz reportedly has no plans yet to build the G 500 4x42, opting to gauge interest in Geneva next month, according to Car and Driver.
Pricing would be between the G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG models. The G 63 AMG starts at $137,150.
Mercedes-Benz began 2015 with record sales in January, selling 125,865 vehicles globally for a rise of 14 percent. Sales were led by the SUV segment, which rose 37 percent.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter