Diesel-Powered Mercedes G-Class Gets an Off-Road Makeover and It's One Sweet Ride

Mind you, only a handful of second-gen G-Wagens have received an off-road-oriented treatment, and the list has now grown to include the one pictured above. This 4x4 features a winch at the front that will come in handy when it gets stuck in the wild. It also has a roof rack to carry more cargo, with four trail lights mounted above the front windshield and a ladder at the rear for easy access.

Mud flaps are also on deck, and this Mercedes-Benz G-Class rides on a set of aftermarket wheels finished in satin black. Signed by HRE, they are called the Vintage 515 GTM. The monoblock proposal is available in several sizes, from 17 to 22 inches, and starts at $10,400 per set in the smallest offering available. Customers can order them in numerous paint finishes, and they can also opt for black or chrome lug nuts and the wheelmaker's center caps as an option.

The Vintage 515 GTM wheel series is not exclusively dedicated to the Mercedes G-Wagen, as you can also find them on multiple other rides, including the Fiat 500, off-road-oriented Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, which features a number of overlanding enhancements over the regular Huracan, and on several Ferraris. This information can be accessed on HRE's website, and that’s where interested parties can also find out more about the said alloy set.

Now, back to the G-Wagen in question, which features a light blue paint finish and a few glossy black accents for contrast. It also benefits from other bits and bobs that make it more special compared to the standard variants, and if you missed the title (and opening picture), it is a diesel-powered proposal.

It is the pre-facelifted G 400 d, which uses a 3.0L diesel with a two-stage turbo, which churns out 516 pound-foot (700 Nm) of torque and 326 horsepower (330 ps/243 kW). Mercedes claimed that 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) took 6.4 seconds in this model, which is slightly less punchy than the G 450 d that recently replaced it.

The newer one comes with 553 pound-foot (750 Nm) of torque and 362 horsepower (367 ps/270 kW) from its upgraded turbocharged inline-six diesel mill. Mercedes has given the facelifted diesel-powered G-Class (G 450 d) a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter-generator. The setup contributes to the thrust and output by 148 lb-ft (200 Nm) and 20 hp (20 ps/15 kW), albeit in short bursts.