That's What Friends are for: Mercedes-Benz's Chinese Partner Clones the G-Class after the B-Class

The upcoming Beijing Auto Show in April will see another round of Chinese clones of familiar Western models including a Mercedes-Benz G-Class doppelganger crafted by Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., which most people know as Beiqi or by the acronym BAIC.

It is believed that BAIC's new G-Class inspired model that goes under the uninspired name B80VJ, will be displayed as a thinly disguised concept at the Beijing Auto Show with the production model to follow shortly after.

And if you're not convinced about the resemblance between the G-Class and the B80VJ from the drawings or the single rendering, a spy picture of BAIC's 4x4 loaded on a truck bed leaves no doubts about where BAIC received its inspiration from.

What strikes us as the most remarkable thing in this matter is that BAIC is Mercedes-Benz's partner in China producing the German firm's models for the local market!

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Spied: 2012 Mercedes-Benz G63 V8 and G65 V12 AMG Continue Winter Testing

We've been telling you for some time about Mercedes-Benz's plans to update its G-Class series and present a new pair of AMG models, and now our scoop photographers have snared two barely camouflaged prototypes on test in mainland Europe.

The two new AMG-prepped G-Wagen models are the G63 (or G55) and G65. It is to our understanding that the G63 AMG (keep in mind, Mercedes may hold on to the G55 nameplate for this model) will receive the German firm's new 5.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing around 525HP and 700Nm (516.3 lb-ft).

The more exclusive G65 AMG, which will be produced in a limited run, is speculated to get the S65 AMG’s 6.0-litre bi-turbocharged V12 engine with an output of 612HP and a tarmac shredding 1,000Nm or 737 lb-ft of peak torque.

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class All Luxed-Up by Bulgarian Design House Vilner

The classic Mercedes-Benz G-Class or as some call it, the G-Wagen which is short for Geländewagen (all-terrain wagon in German), is one of the most capable off-roaders money can buy these days but it's also one of the longest-standing models in the auto industry having been originally launched in 1979.

While Mercedes-Benz has tried to keep up with the times by constantly refreshing its mechanics and equipment features, the G-Class shows its age, especially in the interior. And that's where Bulgarian design studio Vilner steps in to update the classic Mercedes-Benz 4x4 model.

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SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG V8 and G65 AMG V12 Caught Undisguised in Dubai

While spy shooters are searching for camouflaged prototypes of the facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class on the roads of Germany, the team over at "3rabacars" was fortunate enough to discover an entire garage of barely disguised examples of the upcoming AMG variants in a garage in Dubai.

From what we understand, 3rabacars took pictures of both the V8-powered G63 (or G55) AMG and the V12-powered G65 AMG. According to the poster, the G63 AMG's speedometer went up to 280km/h (174mph) while the G65 AMG's stopped at 320km/h (199mph).

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SCOOP: Mercedes-Benz Preparing 2012 G63 AMG with Bi-Turbocharged V8

The rugged G-Class may be the oldest model series in Mercedes-Benz's range as it has been constantly in production since 1979, but the Germans aren't about to let it go yet as they continue to improve their most famous luxury off-road vehicle.

Our spies recently caught up with a couple of prototype models of the flagship AMG variant while testing in Europe. The G-Wagen SUVs were fitted with new exterior mirrors featuring the same design as the ones found on newer Mercedes passenger models and a modified lower front end with three large air vents.

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Mercedes to Expand U.S. Factory to Locally Produce the Next C-Class, R-Class and G-Class

Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, said it plans to invest more than $2 billion to upgrade and retool its U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in order to begin building the C-Class (from 2014) as well as the new generations of the R-Class and the G-Class models. Read more »

Mercedes-Benz Rumored to be Readying Monstrous G65 AMG Limited Edition with 612HP V12

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen, started its life towards the end of the 1970s as a rugged off-roader featuring a body-on-frame construction and three fully locking differentials, one. And even though the base models continue the same formula today, somewhere down the line, a crazy AMG engineer had a eureka moment and threw in a powerful engine under the hood transforming the boxy 4x4 into a 3.5-tonne weapon capable of humiliating sports car in a straight line duel.

Today, the most potent G-Class model is the G55 AMG fitted with a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine developing 507-horses and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of peak torque for a 0-100km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 210 km/h. But that may soon change if we are to believe a report from Dutch website Autoblog.nl on a new range topping G-Class model with the G65 AMG moniker.

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Mercedes-Benz Sends Off G-Class SWB with Special Edition Version

It won’t be long before Mercedes stops production of the short wheelbase version (SWB) of its iconic G-Class series, but before that happens, the German company is launching a limited production model, fittingly called the “BA3 Final Edition” as a last hurrah. It is joined by a special version of the long-wheelbase model (LWB) called the “Edition Select”, based on the G500. Read more »

Brabus 800 Widestar is an 800HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Following in the footsteps of the 700HP Brabus G V12 S, Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has unleashed the 800 Widestar, an extreme version of the G-Class off-roader.

The 800 Widestar is equipped with an V12 engine sourced from the Mercedes-Benz S600, but with extensive upgrades such as the increase in displacement from 5.4 to 6.3-liters, the addition of a new intake system, new engine mapping and the complex Brabus bi-turbo system featuring four water-to-air intercoolers. Additionally, the V12 is fitted with a custom stainless-steel exhaust-system.

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VIDEO: Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher Meet up in New Mercedes Ad

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has released many TV ads featuring two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and other renowned pilots, most ending with a funny twist. The Stuttgart-based automaker's latest commercial to hit the web, called “Sunday Driver”, follows a similar recipe. This time, Mercedes chose a hilarious way to promote its 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. To shake things up, Michael Schumacher also makes an appearance, alongside a good-looking female driver.

We’ve also included the “Third man” commercial from a few years back, in which the “New Flying Finn” trumps the younger Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. You can watch both videos after the jump.

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Saudi Arabia King Greenlights Gazal 1 for Production

Remember the Saudi Arabian SUV concept called the 'Gazal 1' from this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March? Well, it's officially going into production. The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah himself during a special ceremony earlier this week.

The original Gazal 1 concept study was created by the students of Saud University in Riyadh with some help from Magna Steyr and Studiotorino. Despite the deign similarities with Toyota's FJ Cruiser, the Gazal 1 is actually based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and is powered by a V8 engine.

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class Returns to the UK Market, Available in Three Flavors

After a ten year absence from the UK, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class will return to the German firm's biggest right hand drive market this Autumn. The oldest model in Merc's lineup that recently celebrated 30th birthday will be offered with a choice of diesel or supercharged petrol engines.

In particular, UK drivers be able to choose between the diesel-powered G 350 CDI which produces 221HP and returns 25.7 mpg UK, and the range topping G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR, which produces 500HP and reaches 0-62 mph (100km/h) in just 5.5 seconds.

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VÄTH G55 AMG: A 680HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class at Your Service

There's something about the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's timeless G-Class that makes tuners go haywire. This time, it's Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, Vath, that has presented a fully tricked-out G55 AMG.

In stock form, the über G-Class is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 churning out a completely respectable 500HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. After Vath gets its way with the V8 engine, output is lifted to 680HP and 800Nm (590 lb-ft) allowing the G55 AMG to reach a top speed of 265km/h or 165mph.

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Geneva Show: Gazal-1 Leaps Straight out of Saudi Arabia

This right here is the Gazal-1. It's based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and was built by engineering students at King Saud University. Here's where I'd usually bore you with the project's mission as read in a press release, but let's keep this one simple.

The Gazal is named after gazelles (I see it!), apparently a creature commonly found living in Saudi Arabia. It kind of looks like a G-Class at an FJ Cruiser. Can't you just see this thing bounding over dunes and through malls?

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Mercedes Extends G-Class Production until 2015

The "Highlander" of the automobile industry, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class that has been in production since the spring of 1979, will continue to live on for at least six more years as Daimler AG has signed an agreement with Magna Steyr to produce the robust off-roader at the company's plant in Graz, Austria until 2015. In the 30 years that the G-Class has been in production, Mercedes-Benz has sold around 200,000 examples of the vehicle worldwide.

To celebrate the G-Class' 30-th anniversary, Mercedes-Benz recently launched two special edition versions of the rugged off-roader called EDITION30 and EDITION30.PUR - see details here.

Brabus Launches Ludicrous Mercedes G-Class V12 S Biturbo with 700HP

Does a twin-turbocharged, V12-powered Mercedes-Benz G-Class with 700-horsepower make any sense to you - because as hard as we tried, we couldn't find anything sensible about Brabus' latest creation that will be revealed at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Even though it has been in production for precisely three-decades now, the G-Class remains without doubt, one of the world's most capable off-roaders.

Still, Brabus believes - and they're probably right- that there's a wealthy group of people out there who are willing to pay €379,000 ($482,000 U.S. with today's exchange rates) to buy a G-Class that has been virtually stripped out of its off-road capabilities -21 inch alloys shod in 295/40 R21 tires leaves no doubts about that- but has gained some serious power for the asphalt.

But anyways, time to see the Brabus-prepped G-Class in detail. Under the hood of the German SUV lurks a modified version of the V12 Biturbo engine from the latest Mercedes S 600. Brabus increased the V12's displacement from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 384 cubic inches). Along with a series of other upgrades, the V12 now produces 700HP at

In the G-Class the BRABUS S V12 S displacement engine produces 700HP at 5,100 rpm and a peak torque of 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft) at 2,100 rpm. In the car, the peak torque is electronically limited to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

Combined with a special five-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive the G-Class literally catapults itself from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 4.3 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 240 km/h (150 mph) but if you're brave enough to remove the self-imposed limit, the G-Class could reach 260 km/h (163 mph).

To improve handling, Brabus equipped the G-Class V12 S Biturbo with a custom suspension and a high-performance brake system while the SUV sits on a set of forged Monoblock VI 21-inch alloys shod with size 295/40 R 21 tires front and back.

On the outside, the G-Class V12 S Biturbo is distinguished by aerodynamic-enhancement components that include a front apron with LED daytime running lights and a new rear bumper. The vehicle's interior has been enhanced with an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel, a speedometer with 280-km/h scale (175 mph), stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo and a handcrafted fully leather interior.

Mercedes-Benz celebrates G-Class' 30th Anniversary with Two Special Edition Models

Thirty years have passed since production of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class began in 1979 and the German automaker decided to celebrate the event with the introduction of two special edition models called the EDITION30 and EDITION30.PUR. Based on the long-wheelbase G 500 Station Wagon, the EDITION30 is more of a premium edition of the ever-lasting G-Class and is distinguished on the outside by a designo platinum black paint finish, specially designed light-alloy wheels and EDITION30 lettering on the wings.,

Inside, this special edition G 500 comes with designo leather in the color "chablis" and designo trim in anthracite poplar wood.

The EDITION30.PUR which is based on the diesel-powered, long-wheelbase G280 CDi, pays homage to the first-generation G-Model and has been optimized for off-road usage. With the optional "Off-road package 1" or "Off-road package 2", the G EDITION30.PUR can be equipped with all-terrain tires in size 265/75 R 16 on, flexible wheel arch flaring, protective grilles for the headlamps and lights, a walk-on bonnet for easier access to the optional roofrack, a towing lug at the front and a two-section rear door.

In the interior, the EDITION30.PUR features four individual seats upholstered in hard-wearing fabric or man-made leather, rubber floor coverings in the passenger compartment, spray-protected controls and drainage apertures in the footwells. A load compartment with a wooden floor, load lashing lugs and rails, as well as an auxiliary heater and manually operated air conditioning complete the package.

The two special models are available from Merc's dealers priced from €59,381 for the "EDITION30.PUR" and from €97,461 for the "EDITION30".